January 27, 2012: The Willowell Foundation is looking to enter into a partnership with a qualified individual(s) to run one or more weeks of summer camp on our land between June 11 and August 10, 2012.
About us
Willowell is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit qorganization established in 2001 and based on 230 acres in Monkton, Vermont. Our mission is to connect people with the arts, education, the environment, and each other through land-based programs and activities. Some of our programs are the Walden Project, wildlife monitoring classes, place-based professional development, community gardening, farm to school activities, community art events, and wetland conservation. Please tour our website to learn more.
What we are looking for
Willowell has offered highly successful nature-based summer programs in the past, and we are looking to continue and expand our offerings. Although past summer programs have targeted elementary and middle school-aged children, we are open to offering programs for any age group. Programs should do the following:
- Provide a meaningful and fun experience for participants through a full day (e.g., 9AM-3PM) program at least 5 days long.
- Promote any aspect of Willowell’s mission, described above.
- Attract enough participants to turn a profit.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for program leaders who are enthusiastic about Willowell’s mission and working with their proposed age group, and who have experience leading outdoor activities for youth. We cannot provide housing, so program leaders should live locally or have access to local housing.
What we provide
Willowell’s 230 acres of forest, wetland, and vegetable farm are available as a setting for camps. Program leaders are welcome to use our garden tools and take snacks from the garden as available. We insure all of our programs. We promote our programs widely in our region.
We will factor into tuition the cost of any snacks or materials above what the land can provide and what you ask campers to bring. We have no running water or electricity. We have a minimalist shelter and a portable toilet.
Payment
We are open to any financial model that will benefit all parties. In our camps up to the present, camp leaders have received a fixed sum plus commission (a percentage of each camp registration above minimum enrollment).
What your proposal should include
- A résumé or a description of your relevant experience
- Names and contact information for two references
- Letter of recommendation
- A description of the camp you would offer, including:
○ Theme or guiding philosophy
○ Age range of participants
○ Sample schedule including main activities
○ Specific weeks you would run the camp in 2012 between 6/11 and 8/10
○ Minimum and maximum number of campers
○ Your pay, as a set rate and/or as percentage of the tuition
○ Anticipated support needed from Willowell, besides what is listed above
- Please indicate whether or not you would like us to keep you in our records for future summers, if your camp proposal does not fit into our summer schedule this year.
Please submit your proposal as a PDF or a Word document to info@willowell.org by February 21, 2012, with Summer Program Proposal in the subject line. You can also contact us at that e-mail address with any questions.
Thank you for your interest. We will get in touch with you about your proposal by February 28.