Summer Camp Apprenticeship Training; CAT Program

This opportunity is available to exceptional students, ages 13-15, looking to develop their hands-on experience with community-based arts education.

CATs are an integral part of the Artistree summer staff and will support Artistree’s mission to deliver meaningful arts experiences to children in the Upper Valley. Artistree runs summer camps, half-day and full day options, for ages 3-12 years old based in the arts–music, ceramics, theater, visual arts and much more!

This is a seasonal, part-time position mer camps run daily from June 23-August 22, 2025.

We are looking for CATs who are energetic and passionate about working with children and are self-reflective in their interactions with others! This program is designed to help build leadership skills in teenagers who are interested in working with youth in an arts-based summer camp setting. CATs will work closely with camp instructors and summer camp counselors. Activities they are involved in may include working with small groups of children, leading games and activities for kids during transition times, helping a camper one-on-one and/or helping prepare camp activities with the supervision of a camp instructor.

CATs will receive special sessions led by Artistree staff on topics such as talking to kids about their artwork, conflict resolution, being a positive role model, etc. Weekly lunchtime meetings will provide CATs an opportunity to debrief and reflect on their experience with the Camp Leader and Associate Program Director.

Upon completion of their CAT commitment, all CATs will receive confirmation of their volunteer hours, as well as a 25% discount for Artistree classes and programs in the year following their camp experience. Artistree believes that the CAT program will give participants the skills necessary to be a camp counselor in the future and we hope that participants will later apply for counselor positions as they age into the roles.

No experience is required for the CAT program, however, a demonstrated interest in working with children is preferred. Ideal candidates may have some prior experience working with children and be a positive team member and role model for younger children. A love of the creative arts (visual, music, theatre etc.) is a big plus!

• Weekly leadership training in various sessions led by Artistree instructors and educators
• Hands-on experience shadowing a counselor and instructor, behavioral management techniques, communication skills building, conflict avoidance and resolution, how to work with kids from an SEL perspective.
• Wednesday group reflection lunch facilitated by Artistree educators
• Application of skills in working with children under the supervision of a counselor and instructor
• 2 Artistree t-shirts to wear while working on site.
• 2 day pre-camp training sessions with camp counselors led by Artistree Staff
• CATs that complete two weeks or more of volunteer hours will be eligible for a 25% program discount throughout the following school year for any Artistree classes or programs.

• This is a volunteer position. CATs are unpaid and will receive official acknowledgement of their volunteer hours. CATs will keep a weekly timesheet that will be signed off on each week.
• Must be available for 1 week of summer camp, half-day. Applicants who have more than one week of availability may be given preference.
• Must be able to attend training sessions in person at Artistree in June (TBD).

• CATs must be aged 13, 14 or 15 by June 23, 2025 to be considered for the summer of 2025. Please note, if a CAT applicant turns 16 during the summer, they will still be part of the CAT program if this is the first year that they are involved with Artistree.
• All CAT applications must be submitted by June 10, 2025. Late applications will only be considered if space is available.
• You will need to provide your own reliable transportation to and from Artistree. We are located at 2095 Pomfret Road, South Pomfret, Vermont.
• CATs must be available for 1-2 in-person training sessions prior to the start of camp ining dates will be in June 2025 (Date TBD).
• Scheduling can be flexible. Conversation about specific summer availability will happen during an interview. Preference will be given to applicants who have a minimum of 2 weeks of availability during the summer.
• Being a CAT is a great way to gain work experience, build your resume and gain volunteer hours. We consider the relationships we build with our summer team to be extremely important. Upon a successful summer experience, we are happy to write letters of recommendation and/or serve as a reference for you.