Staff Training

The summer starts with a 9-10 day training program for all staff.  Legacy staff share our signature methods for program design and delivery, group building, and lesson planning.

Staff training addresses the following areas:

• Human Relations: communication and counseling skills, monitoring and addressing group dynamics, facilitation, problem solving, and conflict management skills;
• Intercultural Relations: principles of intercultural relations, daily life in a multicultural “village,” discussions and action projects addressing global issues; promoting appreciation of cultural values and traditions.
• Professional Skill Development: global education, experiential education; leadership development
• Other Components: facility set-up, curriculum planning, risk management, health care, and orientation specific to individual responsibilities.

Meet our team

It Takes A Village… (aka – General Staff Duties)

It takes the whole staff team, working cooperatively, to make the Global Youth Village a success.  Many tasks have to be taken care of each day to make the program run safely & smoothly.

General, All-Staff Duties & Responsibilities

In addition to your primary job role, all staff participate in the following:

Meal‑cleanup: Each staff member is assigned to do meal clean-up once a day, with some exceptions for select staff who have schedule conflicts.

Program Support Functions: During staff training and throughout the session, administrative,  program, and counseling staff (and some support staff) may be assigned to fulfill various duties:

• Helping design and deliver select evening all-Village events
• Setting-up or striking set for evening programs
• Moving equipment and supplies, setting up for picnics, campfires, special festivals, etc.
• Trips off campus to public transportation terminals or church services
• Helping create back drops of posters for special events
• Assisting kitchen, housekeeping or maintenance staff
• Being part of staff team that goes to Washington, D.C. for international arrivals and departures.

In-between sessions or at the close of the season:

• Evaluating programs and procedures
• Cleaning cabins and work areas, preparing equipment and supplies for storage
• Completing inventory reports, summaries, etc.

A Day in the Life of a GYV Staff Person

GYV is a cross-cultural experience.  Like other such experiences, it is intensive, rewarding and dynamic.

As staff, we guide participants through their initial adjustment, group building, individual goal setting, skill building, and reflection.

Our personal touch, as well as all the activities we design and deliver builds among the young people (and staff) a deep sense of community.  Individuals leave with new perspectives, inspiration, and confidence. 

For staff there is a constant cycle of planning and delivering.  Your days are full  and you will discover different levels of service and multitasking.  View the Youth Schedule for an idea of the flow. (More details will be provided if you are selected for an interview.)

Community Guidelines (Legacy Honor Code)

As a close-knit team, we work to strengthen the Global Youth Village community and to realize the uniqueness of each individual. Our guidelines are few, but they are necessary to reach our goals.

The Legacy Honor Code was written jointly by past participants and staff, and provides the guidelines by which we can create a model cooperative community and broaden the experience of every member of our “global village.” Each participant and staff is expected to:

• Be open to new ideas and willing to listen
• Respect other people’s point of view, cultural difference and music
• Participate fully in all activities
• Resolve conflict through communication
• Engage in non-exclusive, open relationships which avoid cliques and pairs
• Accept a diet free of meat and sugar for a period of time
• Abstain from tobacco, alcohol & illegal drugs

Please do not apply if you feel you cannot abide by this code. More details about staff policies will be provided to those selected for interviews.

Facilities & Village Cuisine

The Global Youth Village is located in the southwestern part of Virginia, a four to five hour drive southwest of Washington, D.C.   It is situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, on a beautiful 80-acre wooded site with a stream, soccer field, basketball court, classroom buildings, pool, outdoor stage, gardens, art studios, computer lab, staff lounge, a health center and a dining facility.

Accommodations for counseling staff are in cabins with youth. Other staff are housed in similar cabins, but with adult staff only.  (Housing for couples or families is very limited.  Please inquire as to availability prior to applying, if this is a need for you. ) Centralized bathhouses serve each cluster of cabins.   Select program areas are air-conditioned.   Sleeping areas are not.

The Global Youth Village serves a delicious vegetarian (ovo-lacto) diet with dishes representing various international cuisines.   Special dietary needs can usually be met.   Poultry or fish entrees are served on rare occasions.

Time Off & Recreation

Time Off

Each staff member has scheduled time off (approx 24 hours) between each session,  at which time he or she may choose to explore the surrounding area.   In addition, staff have approximately 2 hours of discretionary time daily.   During this discretionary time, staff remain on-campus as many positions entail 24-hour responsibilities.   Some staff choose to do planning work or nap.   Others may meet a friend in the staff lounge, exercise, or work on an art project.

Daily Rejuvenation

When not on duty, we encourage staff to rest, read, check email or relax in  the staff lounge.   Special staff events are organized approximately three times during the summer (evening pool party, movie nights, games night, etc.).

What is there to do in the Bedford area during my time off?

The surrounding areas of Bedford, Roanoke and Campbell Counties offer a variety of activities. The Global Youth Village is within easy driving distance of the Blue Ridge Mountains (hiking, Appalachian culture), Smith Mountain Lake (swimming, boating), New River Valley (rock-climbing, tubing, rafting), and the cities of Roanoke & Lynchburg (shopping, theaters, museums, restaurants).   For history buffs, historical sites are abundant, including Monticello, Poplar Forest (Jefferson’s retreat), Booker T. Washington’s home, Appomattox Court House, and more.