Opportunities for Teens

New for 2025, Artistree is offering two new programs for teen aged kids.

Summer Camp Apprenticeship Training (CAT) Program

Artistree Community Arts Center
This opportunity is available to exceptional rising high school freshmen & sophomores (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 at Artistree. Summer camps run daily from June 23-August 22, 2025.

About Artistree Community Arts Center:
Artistree Community Arts Center provides the opportunity for a joyful, meaningful, and satisfying experience of the visual arts, movement, theatre and music through our year-round classes, workshops, performances, gallery exhibits and events. Situated in South Pomfret, Vermont, Artistree connects children and adults in this region to programs, events, gallery exhibitions, concerts and theatre performances in order to develop creativity and build community connections.

Camp Apprenticeship Training (CAT) Overview:
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!

The CAT experience includes:

  • 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.

Qualifications:

  • 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 (Date/Time TBD).

CAT Requirements:

  • 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 at Artistree. Training dates will be in  June.

  • 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.

To apply:

Apply for the CATs Program
Apply to CATs here

The application deadline is June 10, 2025. 

Each application is required to have two different adults (ages 18+) fill out a reference form and return the form by June 10, 2025. References can be from teachers, coaches, school counselors, previous/current employers, or other community members who know you well. Please do not have relatives, caregivers or siblings serve as references. Reference forms can by printed and mailed to:

Email:
Artistree Community Arts Center manager@artistreevt.org

Mail:
Attn: CATs Program
PO Box 158
South Pomfret, VT 05067 

Any questions from CAT applicants can go to Sheena Solitaire, Associate Director of Programming, at programming@artistreevt.org.

Become a Summer Camp Counselor!

This opportunity is available to exceptional high school juniors, seniors or college students (age 16+) looking to develop their hands-on experience with community-based arts education.

Counselors 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. This is a seasonal, hourly position at Artistree. Summer camps run daily from June 23-August 22, 2025. In person, training dates are mandatory and scheduled for June.

What we are looking for in a candidate:

We are looking for counselors who are energetic and passionate about working with children and are self-reflective in their interactions with others! Ideal candidates will have prior experience working with children in a camp or childcare environment 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!

Compensation:

This is a season hourly position at the rate of $16 - $16.50/hour. Hours will be determined based on an individual's availability and camp needs. Counselors are also eligible to receive a 25% discount on Artistree programs and classes for the school year following their camp season.

General responsibilities may include:

-Help set up for the daily activities and check in campers.
-Assist the camp instructor in a meaningful and hands-on way during the camp day.
-Lead play activities for campers during check in/out, recess times and lunchtime.
-Assist with classroom clean up.
-Communicate with Summer Camp Leader and caregivers as needed.
-Be positive and interactive with campers, providing support and encouragement as needed
-Be fun, friendly and positive!! Help the kids have a wonderful summer!
-Assist with other duties as needed, such as Artistree special events.

Experience & Skills

• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
• Comfortable interacting with children and adults.
• Positive attitude, good problem solver.
• Experience working with children or a desire to work with children is an asset (not required).
• Interest and experience with visual arts, ceramics, theatre etc. is a plus!

Things to know:

  • Summer camp counselor applicants must be 16 years old or older by June 23, 2025.

  • You will need to provide your own reliable transportation to and from Artistree. We are located at 2095 Pomfret Road, South Pomfret, Vermont.

  • Counselors must be available for 1-2 training sessions prior to the start of camp (dates will be June TBD).

  • Preference will be given to applicants who have a minimum of 6 weeks of availability for the summer.

  • Camp counselors will be responsible for independently obtaining a valid CPR certification by the start of camps.

  • Being a camp counselor is a great way to gain work experience and build your resume. We consider the relationships we build with our camp counselors and counselors-in-training 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.

To apply:

Apply to be a Summer Camp Counselor

The application deadline is March 28, 2025. Interviews will be scheduled for April 2025.

Become a Summer Theatre Camp Counselor!

This opportunity is available to exceptional high school juniors, seniors, or college students (16+) looking to develop their hands-on experience with community-based arts education. Counselors 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.

This is a seasonal, hourly position at Artistree. Theatre camps run Monday-Friday from 9am-4pm beginning June 23rd. Counselors will need to be available on the show weekends. ACT Jr. will be producing three shows this summer:

  1. Annie Jr. (June 30-July 19; performances July 18-19)

  2. Shakespeare’s The Odyssey (August 11-August 22; performances August 22-23)

***PLEASE NOTE: All theatre camps include a rain date on the following Sunday in the event of a canceled show due to inclement weather***

What we are looking for in a candidate:

We are looking for counselors who are energetic and passionate about theatre, working with children, and are self-reflective in their interactions with others! Ideal candidates will have an interest and experience in the theatre arts, some prior experience working with children in a camp or childcare environment, and be a positive team member and role model for younger children.

Compensation:

This is a paid position, $16 - $16.50/hour. Hours will be in alignment with the camp and show times and will be clearly defined during the application process.

General responsibilities may include:

-Help set up for the daily activities and check in campers.

-Assist ACT Jr. Director in a meaningful and hands-on way during the camp day.

-Assist production team backstage during rehearsals and performances.

-Reporting to Theatre Associate Director for daily/weekly check ins as necessary.

-Monitor outdoor snack and lunchtime.

-Assist with the end of the day clean up.

-Communicate with caregivers in a professional manner (if asked by the production team)

-Be positive and interactive with campers, providing support and encouragement

-Be fun, friendly and positive!! Help the kids have a wonderful summer!

Experience & Skills

• Interest and experience in theatre arts is a must

• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.

• Comfortable interacting with children and adults.

• Positive attitude, good problem solver.

•Flexibility at all times, as our production takes shape

• Experience working with children or a desire to work with children is an asset

Things to know:

  • Summer camp counselor applicants must be 16 years old or older by June 23, 2025.

  • You will need to provide your own reliable transportation to and from Artistree. We are located at 2095 Pomfret Road, South Pomfret, Vermont.

  • Counselors should plan to be available for 1-2 training sessions prior to the start of camp (dates June TBD).

  • Camp counselors will be responsible for independently obtaining a valid CPR certification by the start of camps.

  • Being a camp counselor is a great way to gain work experience and build your resume. We consider the relationships we build with our camp counselors and counselors-in-training 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.

About Artistree Community Arts Center:

Artistree Community Arts Center provides the opportunity for a joyful, meaningful, and satisfying experience of the visual arts, movement, theatre and music through our year-round classes, workshops, performances, gallery exhibits and events. Situated in South Pomfret, Vermont, Artistree connects children and adults in this region to programs, events, gallery exhibitions, concerts and theatre performances in order to develop creativity and build community connections.

To apply:

Apply to be a Summer Camp Counselor

The application deadline is March 28, 2025. Interviews will be scheduled for April 2025.
Please send questions to Sheena Solitaire, Associate Director of Programming, at programming@artistreevt.org

For more information about summer opportunities, contact Sheena Solitaire at programming@artistreevt.org.