In Camphill Village all co-workers (the term we use for staff) are volunteers. Approximately 90 long- and short-term co-workers choose to live and work in the Village, and share responsibility for villagers’ well-being, home making, workshop training, caring for the land, administration and finance, and the cultural and spiritual life of the community. Co-workers work out of a personal commitment to the mission and ideals of Camphill. They receive no salary in the usual sense; rather, they establish a budget that meets everyone’s basic needs, including further education and training, vacations and medical insurance. The foremost prerequisites for any co-worker are interest, enthusiasm and willingness to participate fully in the daily social, work and cultural life of the community. Working in Camphill is not a job, but a freely chosen way of life. This allows for continuity of care, and creates greater mutuality between villagers and co-workers than is usually possible where there is paid staff on shifts. Rather than “taking care of” people, co-workers and villagers live and work as colleagues in building community together. Volunteerism is working for love, the only true basis for building a healthy society. Camphill Village was founded by volunteers. Villagers are our most important volunteers. The Village continues to flourish because of volunteers. Each year Camphill Village welcomes 40 or more short-term co-workers, mostly young people from the U.S. and abroad, to live and work in the Village as volunteers. Their diversity of cultural backgrounds adds to the rich fabric of community life. They enjoy and benefit from being part of an international group of volunteers working in an international service movement. Living in Camphill can be a life-changing experience. Co-workers are challenged to learn new practical skills, like weaving or milking cows; to help with one-on-one physical and emotional care; to develop greater compassion, patience and self-awareness. U.S. citizens and green card holders may be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award of $4,725 toward education loans upon completion of one year of service in Camphill Village. In order to apply for a volunteer position, we require the completed Camphill application form and 2 letters of reference from a former employer, teacher or professor. To apply, please choose one of the following methods: To request by e-mail a description of current openings, the application form and reference form, click here or email volunteer@camphillvillage.org. For current listings of open co-worker positions and to apply online with our web based application, click here. FAQs How long may I stay? We prefer that you come for at least one year, but shorter stays can be arranged. What educational opportunities are offered? Camphill community life is itself an intensive learning experience. You will learn new skills through your participation in the daily work life. In addition, you may attend orientation courses that introduce basics of care for people with disabilities, first aid, social therapy, Camphill and anthroposophy. Camphill Village in Copake offers a three-year Seminar in Social Therapy, the only such seminar in North America. Seminarists complement their daily life and work in the Village with courses that deepen their understanding of human and social development through art, conversation and study. Anthroposophy provides the foundation for this training course. Will I have time for myself?? You will have your own room and you will have free time arranged with the other people in your house, neighborhood and workplace. What kinds of work will I do? You will be asked to work where you are needed: one of the craft workshops (wood, candle making, weaving, bookbinding, stained glass), the bakery, the houses, the farm, the vegetable garden, the Turtle Tree Seed or Healing Plant garden and workshop, the estate. You will also be an active member of your house community, and will help with personal care of villagers, as needed. Most long-term co-workers began as short-term co-workers in one of the over 100 Camphill communities worldwide. The decision to make a longer commitment comes about individually through the development of a deeper personal and spiritual connection with the mission and ideals of Camphill. Many long-term co-workers have experience in related human services fields, like special education, or in the liberal or fine arts. Many have training or experience in practical areas like home making, crafts, farming or gardening. Others have worked in the fields of administration, business or finance. Click here for a current listing of open co-worker volunteer positions. To inquire about becoming a long-term co-worker, please write to Elvira Neal, Camphill Village, 84 Camphill Road, Copake, New York 12516 Camphill Village has over 60 volunteers from outside the Village, who contribute gifts of time, energy and special or ordinary life skills. Typically, a local community volunteer lives in Columbia or neighboring Berkshire County, and comes to the Village one, two or three half or full days a week to help in one of the houses, on the farm or in the gardens. Volunteers also help with driving. Many villagers have doctors’ or other appointments and need transportation and accompaniment. The Hudson Valley Friends of Camphill is an organization consisting of local community volunteers who are available to assist Camphill Village with events, fund raising, projects and social life. We welcome local community volunteers! We need people to work side by side with villagers and help with cooking, gardening, farming, crafts and special projects. Villagers with no families or whose families are distant very much appreciate the extra friendship offered by our local community volunteers. Our circle of non-resident volunteers also includes people who serve on our Board of Directors, Board committees, as well as parents and other relatives of villagers who help with fund raising events and appeals.