Volunteer With Us
Camphill Village Kimberton Hills (CVKH) is a lively intentional community of volunteers, all of whom are valued contributors. Life sharing at CVKH comes in many forms, and members of our community support one another to contribute to the wider society through biodynamic agriculture, and other social, cultural and educational endeavors. Volunteers at CVKH seek to provide a unique and exceptional quality of life through social integration for adults with developmental disabilities.
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. They live, learn and grow with us on our 432-acre farm in Kimberton, Pennsylvania. Some CVKH volunteers have lived here since 1972 and will stay for the rest of their lives. Other join us for one to three years before moving on. Many come to volunteer for days, weeks, or months. Everyone in our community brings new perspectives and energy, and we all make lasting, often life-changing, impressions.
Volunteer for one to three years: Short Term Coworkers (STCW)
Short-term volunteers provide a vital role in the success and sustainability of Kimberton Hills. STCWs fully participate in community life, and depending on their length of stay, may focus on one area of the community (e.g., the CSA garden) or participate in a wider range of community activities. Some STCWs join us as full-time land helpers to gain experience in biodynamic, organic, and sustainable methods of agriculture and land stewardship.
Land Helpers (1-2 years)
We believe the health of the 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 and Dairy Land Helpers receive “hands-on” training by working alongside experienced farmers. We offer the opportunity for aspiring agrarians to gain experience in biodynamic, organic, and sustainable methods of agriculture and land stewardship—some Land Helpers may attend the Biodynamic Winter Intensive offered through the Nature Institute and the Pfeiffer Center in NY.
Definition: A Land Helper is a volunteer who commits to one or two years of service with a primary focus on biodynamic agriculture.
Responsibilities: Primarily help in either the CSA or the Dairy with limited time each week helping in their life sharing household. You may be asked to help with morning or evening responsibilities in your house.
Service Volunteer (1 year)
If you are looking for a gap year experience, or if it’s time to change direction, a year of service at Kimberton Hills can offer new inspirations and your service and energy play a vital role in the community life of the village.
Definition: Service volunteers commit to one year of volunteer service, usually with an option to extend their service at the end of the year.
Responsibilities: Service volunteers primarily support the villagers (adults with developmental disabilities). The schedule for most service volunteers involves helping in their house and workshops each day. Service volunteers may participate in planning festival celebrations and/or cultural offerings, and are welcome to join in the many other aspects of community life. Service volunteers are expected to be capable of being in a supervisory role if/when requested.
Volunteer for one to three months: Intern
An intern is a volunteer coming to the community for one to three months to learn about the intentional community, developmental disabilities, crafts, and/or biodynamic agriculture. Interns may focus on one area of the community (e.g., the CSA garden) or partake in a broader spectrum of village life.
Volunteer for one day a week
We have day volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups.
Volunteer for three or more years: Long Term Coworkers (LTCW)
Long Term Coworkers join Kimberton Hills because they are looking for a life that matches their ideals. They wish to make a strong commitment to living in a Camphill community, want to share life with people who have developmental disabilities, and have a strong interest in living and engaging with others to build a community in which all members are valued contributors. LTCWs may come as a family to raise their children in an environment rich in personal connections and shared culture. People come to us with varied backgrounds, talents, and skills in the arts, human services, agriculture, business, and crafts. Each person within our village strives to find a meaningful vocation in the context of community living.
Some LTCWs at Kimberton Hills are new to the Camphill Movement, while others have lived and trained in one or more Camphill centers before coming to us. Some Long-Term Coworkers begin as short term volunteers before deciding to make a longer and deeper commitment. The decision to make this longer commitment comes about individually through the development of a deeper personal and spiritual connection with the mission and ideals of Camphill. This commitment lasts years, perhaps a lifetime.
Responsibilities: Long-term volunteers are expected to fully participate in community life and to lead households and/or workshops. They can take on many roles in village life. In addition to managing a household, creating a healthy home environment, they may have some administrative or organizational responsibility, serve on various committees, lead a crew in an agricultural or crafts area, or within a home. They also have an active role in the spiritual and cultural life of the village.
For position availability, contact our Admissions Office by email or phone; most of our positions begin at the end of August but we accept applications on an ongoing basis.
Study Inclusive Social Development at the Camphill Academy
Camphill Village Kimberton Hills offers the opportunity for admission into the Camphill Academy, a practice-integrated post-secondary program in Inclusive Social Development. The transformative learning experience, including a deepened understanding of Camphill, anthroposophy, and inclusive community building, consists of college-level courses and practica that leave the student debt free. To learn more or apply, please visit Camphill Academy.
