Title: Camp Assistant Director
Program: Tomodachi Initiative
Location: University of California, Berkeley
Program Dates: July 16-August 12, 2010.
Remuneration: DOE + full room & board payable upon completion of the program.
Program Description:

Since 1981, Ayusa has been a leader in providing life-changing cultural exchange experiences for high school students around the world. As part of the Tomodachi initiative, in collaboration with the Center for Cities and Schools at UC Berkeley, Ayusa has designed an intensive three week program for Japanese high school students focusing on global leadership development and community service. Students will engage in a participatory learning process modeled after the Y-PLAN methodology (developed by the UC Berkeley Center for Cities & Schools), which guides students through a process to engage real-world stakeholders and participants in global sustainability projects. Students will learn leadership skills, and develop individual community service action and volunteer projects to implement in their home communities. The program will feature extensive contact with Americans through their academic program, a weekend homestay, social and sightseeing activities, along with exposure to American culture and values.

The program design incorporates community service projects, cultural enrichment activities, global skills training, and other types of experiential individual and group learning to develop civic responsibility and commitment to communities as well as inspiring future leaders to be agents of positive change. Additionally, the program aims to equip participants to take action locally on issues of international importance and to empower, inspire and prepare them to work towards creating a peaceful international community.

Job Description: The Camp Assistant Director plays a dynamic role in the Tomodachi Initiative:

• Serve as assistant to the Camp Director
• Serve as Head Resident Assistant and provides support to RA’s as necessary
• Serve as academic coaches throughout the three-week project-based learning experience
• Serve as “resident assistants” in the dorms at UC Berkeley
• Provide overall support (academic, social, emotional, etc) for students attending the program
• Accompany students on field trips around the Bay Area (Stanford University, Berkeley City Hall, CA State Legislature, etc)
• Coordinate/run a series of evening and weekend social/fun events
• Administrative duties as necessary

This is an exciting opportunity to work with youth from Japan, and to engage alongside them in a challenging and dynamic learning process. The ideal Camp Assistant Director enjoys working with youth and is interested in youth leadership and community development.
Requirements:

• Undergraduate degree required, masters preferred
• Camp Assistant Director need to commit to all 3 plus weeks (training/UC Berkeley)
• Full-time availability during training/program dates. Camp Assistant Director will reside in the dorms and provide general supervision at all times
• Camp Assistant Director must pass background check
• Experience working with youth preferred (ideally with experience in Y-PLAN or a similar youth engagement process)
• Knowledge of youth leadership highly desirable
• International experience preferred
• Experience navigating cross-cultural differences
• Japanese fluency desirable

Deadline: Rolling

To Apply: Please submit cover letter and resume to Menraj Sachdev at msachdev@ayusa.org. No phonecalls please.