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JOIN US FOR A YEAR OR A LIFETIME OF SERVICE
 Camphill communities are made possible by the many volunteers who serve in various capacities to support each other and build a strong and ethical community.
People with diverse backgrounds, skills and personal goals join our community for a year of service or for a lifetime, volunteering their time and energy; they live, work, learn and grow with us.
There are many opportunities to contribute meaningfully to the life of the village. Here are ways you can become involved (Click on the Positions below for details):
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LONG TERM COWORKER (3 YEARS AND LONGER)
Typically Coworkers join Kimberton Hills because they are looking for a lifestyle that matches their ideals. They wish to make a stronger commitment to living in a Camphill community. They want to work with people who have developmental disabilities, and have a strong interest living and working together with others to build a community life in which all members are interconnected.
 They want to raise their children in an environment which is rich in personal connections and shared culture. People come to us from varied backgrounds, talents and skills in the arts, human services, business, and crafts. Each person within our village strives to find meaningful vocation in the context of community living.
Some of the coworkers at Kimberton Hills are new to the Camphill Movement, while others have lived, worked, and trained in one or more Camphill centers before coming to us, perhaps beginning their experience in Camphill doing a year of service. 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. They often make a commitment that lasts years, perhaps a lifetime.
Definition: A coworker is a long term volunteer who commits to joining the community for three years and longer.
Responsibilities: Coworkers are expected to fully participate in Village life and to lead households and/or workshops. Coworkers can take on many roles in village life. Perhaps in addition to managing a household of volunteers, villagers and their own children, and creating a healthy home environment, he or she may have some administrative or organizational responsibility, serve on various committees, run a workshop, or be responsible for work crews working in the home. They can be involved in specific areas of interest such as developing and running a workshop (land or craft), and have an active role in the cultural life of the village.
Additional Details: Coworkers are eligible to receive a needs-based allowance and may drive village cars. After three months, Coworkers are eligible to have their medical needs covered by Kimberton Hills. Time off for Coworkers is determined on an individual “needs” basis. Coworkers are eligible for about 21 vacation days per year (which accrue in accordance with the Kimberton Hills’ Time Off Policy).
More Information About Volunteering | Requirements & Applications
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SERVICE VOLUNTEER (1-2 YEARS)
Each September, 20 volunteers from around the world join us for a year of service to support the work we do with adults who have developmental disabilities.
 They join the circle of people coming together to create a healthy and nourishing home life and work life. The service they provide, and the new energy they bring into our community play a vital role in the life of the village. Whether you are looking for a volunteer experience during a “break” following training or college, or if it is time to reexamine your life’s direction, a year of service in Kimberton Hills will offer new inspirations as well as be a time to reflect and consider future life goals.
Definition: A service volunteer is a volunteer who commits to one year of volunteer service, usually with an option to extend his/her service at the end of a year.
Responsibilities: Service volunteers are expected to be capable of being in a supervisory role if/when requested by their householder/workshop leader. Service volunteers are the primary support for long term coworkers. Most one year volunteers work half a day in a household, and the other half day in one of our workshops (dairy, garden, estate, bakery, weavery, fiber arts ect.) They participate in planning festival celebrations and cultural offerings. To get a glimpse of other volunteers’ experiences click here.
Additional Details: Service volunteers are eligible to receive a stipend and to drive village cars. After three months, service volunteers are eligible to have their basic medical costs covered by Kimberton Hills. Service volunteers are entitled to a half day off per week and one free weekend every month. They are eligible for a total of 21 vacation days over the course of the year (which accrue in accordance with the Kimberton Hills’ Time Off Policy).
More Information About Volunteering | Requirements & Applications
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GARDEN APPRENTICE (1-2 YEARS)
Kimberton Hills is proud to be a part of the new North American Biodynamic Apprenticeship Program. We offer the opportunity for aspiring agrarians to gain experience in biodynamic, organic, and sustainable methods of agriculture and land stewardship in a social therapeutic setting together with adults with developmental disabilities.
 At Kimberton Hills we believe that the health of land and people are deeply interdependent. In that spirit, we practice biodynamic agriculture, which begins with the best organic practices and incorporates a view of the land as a living organism. Garden Apprentices receive strong “hands on” training by working alongside experienced mentor farmers. In addition they receive a solid theoretical foundation in biodynamic and organic agriculture through weekly tutorials and planning meetings from November to March, weekly farm tours and seminars offered from May through October, and ongoing agrarian and anthroposophical study groups throughout the year. In their second year, apprentices attend the monthly Biodynamic Training Course offered through the Pfeiffer Center in NY. For more information and available openings please contact our admissions office.
Definition: An apprentice is a volunteer who commits to approximately two years of volunteer service, but with a primary focus on one particular aspect of community life (i.e. Biodynamic gardening).
Responsibilities: Apprentices are expected to be able to be in a supervisory role as soon as deemed capable by their householder/workshop leader.
Additional Details: Apprentices are eligible to receive a stipend and are eligible to drive village cars. After three months, apprentices are eligible to have their medical costs covered by Kimberton Hills. Vacation time will accrue per the village’s time off policy.
More Information About Volunteering | Requirements & Applications
More information about the North American Biodynamic Apprenticeship Program
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INTERN (1-3 MONTHS)
There are a few opportunities for interns who are interested in coming to the community to learn about intentional community, developmental disabilities, crafts, or biodynamic agriculture. Internships opportunities are limited but do contact the Admissions Office for openings.
Definition: An intern is a volunteer who stays from one to three months. Unlike a practicant whose work here fulfills the requirements of his/her own program, an intern is usually here to fulfill the needs of Kimberton Hills.
Responsibilities: Interns are invited to participate fully in village life.
Additional Details: An intern may or may not (depending upon their individual circumstances) hold a supervisory role or be left alone with villagers. Personal Forum and the intern’s householder/workshop leader will decide whether or not this is possible prior to the intern’s arrival. Interns need to pay for their own transportation costs to and from the community. Interns do not receive a stipend and are not eligible to drive village cars, although under some circumstances farm vehicles may be permitted.
More Information About Volunteering | Requirements & Applications
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PRACTICANT (1-4 WEEKS)
There are various opportunities for practicants who are interested to learn about intentional community, developmental disabilities, crafts, or biodynamic agriculture. Opportunities are limited and are usually sponsored by a school or university.
Definition: A practicant is someone who comes to Kimberton Hills in order to fulfill a requirement for a social service practicum or other program (high school/college). A practicant’s visit can last anywhere from one to four weeks. They do not have to be 19 years of age or older, but must possess a strong degree of maturity.
Responsibilities: Practicants are invited to participate in community life.
Additional Details: Practicants cannot be left alone with villagers, nor can they hold a supervisory role or lead a crew. An administrative fee of $50 and transportation fee (if help with transportation is requested) must be paid prior to the practicant’s arrival.
More Information About Volunteering | Requirements & Applications
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DAY VOLUNTEER (FLEXIBLE)
Day volunteers are generally friends who live in our area and would like to give a few hours periodically to help out in the village and have an opportunity to connect with the members of the community. We welcome volunteers of all ages, either individually or through organized community service programs.
Definition: A day volunteer commits to a regularly scheduled volunteer service, but does not live in the community. Responsibilities: These volunteers have varying responsibilities, depending on where they are working in the village. Most volunteers have a “regular” location of their work and adhere to the responsibilities of that household or workshop.
Additional Details: Day volunteers are not to drive villagers, unless specifically approved by the Development Office. At the Development Office’s discretion, a background check may be required.
More Information About Volunteering | Requirements & Applications
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VOLUNTEER GROUPS (FLEXIBLE)
Each year we host numerous volunteer groups who join us for a day or sometimes a week, or sometimes more, of service. Some groups work together as a team to help us accomplish larger projects, while others break into smaller groups and spread out into various areas of the community to support existing households and workshops.
Definition: Volunteer Groups are volunteers who come together as members of the same school class or organization.
Responsibilities: These groups commit to a full work schedule and generally can stay for up to one week. They usually live outside of the community and have a supervisor who comes with them to oversee the group.
Additional Details: Members of a volunteer group cannot be left alone with villagers, nor can they hold a supervisory role or lead a crew.
More Information About Volunteering | Requirements & Applications
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