Teen Camp Staff Program!

Deer Park Monastery is now looking for staff members to help us during our next special retreat. Before, during, and after the retreat, we need additional help, so we are inviting mindfulness practitioners who have already attended a 5-day retreat (or longer) at a Plum Village monastery to apply for the Teen Camp staff program.

Before, during, and after the retreat, we need additional help, so we are inviting mindfulness practitioners who have already attended a 5-day retreat (or longer) at a Plum Village monastery to apply for the staff program. We ask that the 5-day retreat be completed at least one month prior to your application for staff. 

Please be aware that many of the tasks that staff members help us with involve physical work. We also ask that you are not a parent, stepparent, or guardian to any of the teens in attendance.
 
During this time, you are asked to set aside other responsibilities to be fully present for the staff program. There is no partial staff period and/or coming and going from the monastery during your designated staff period dates. Staff applicants pay a $25.00 non-refundable application fee (unless your application is declined).

Serving on the staff team is often a rewarding and fulfilling experience, working together in joy and community. Here are some of the qualities we are looking for in staff members:

• Here are some of the qualities that we are looking for in staff members:
• Ability to speak basic English
• Being in good physical and mental health
• Ability to listen deeply to others and be open to the ideas of others
• Being mindful and keeping calm even in difficult situations
• Working well on a team
• Capable of guiding a group in work
• Responsible, diligent, and thorough in your work
• Creative and energetic

The dates of the staff program will be June 10-20, 2022. You will have several days to practice with the monastic community before the teens arrive.
 
In addition, we are looking for people with first aid experience or a medical background. Please mention any such background that you have in your application with the understanding that experience in this field is not a requirement to serve as staff.
 
All staff members are asked to follow the retreat schedule and/or their work assignment schedule. The day typically begins at 5:00 AM and ends at 9:30 PM with a rest period in between. 
 
Staff may be asked to coordinate and lead family groups in their assigned work. Examples of work assignments include kitchen duties, pot-washing, dining hall cleaning, meditation hall set-up, restroom responsibilities, and compost, trash and recycling. There will be regular staff meetings with monastic staff leaders to learn from each other and nourish harmony within the retreat.

We ask all staff applicants (as well as retreat guests) to fulfill the requirement of having completed vaccination for COVID-19, including having received the booster shot if eligible by date and age, prior to arrival.

Serving on the staff team is often a rewarding and fulfilling experience, working together in joy and community. Thank you for your aspiration to help bring joy and peace to many people in the retreat.

Apply Now