CEC Apprenticeship Program Details
Camp Earth Connection (CEC) Apprenticeship Program
June 15, 2023 – August 10, 2023
Cost: $1,000 (includes lodging, meals & program)
The CEC 8-Week Residential Apprenticeship Program will give up to 6 individuals the opportunity to live, play and work together in a diverse community at Camp Earth Connection, a small woodland campground surrounded the by the Hammond Hill State Forest. The apprenticeship program operates Wednesdays – Sundays. Mondays and Tuesdays apprentices are free to enjoy the facilities or venture into town, visit state parks, etc. Apprentices are responsible for their own meals on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Cost: Apprenticeship Program is $1,000 for the 8 weeks. The fee helps us cover the food and lodging cost as well as the instruction time that staff and volunteers spend with apprentices. Apprentices in turn work on projects which will help build the Camp Earth Connection Community and practice regenerative practices with the land.
The apprenticeship program offers individuals instruction primarily via experiential learning and practice in the following areas:
- Outdoor living skills (and survival skills) – awareness, fire, water, food and shelter
- Basic carpentry and natural building (Cob, straw bale, and hand tools)
- Organic gardening using permaculture principles (including water collection and management and food production) and wild edibles
- Composting – food compost, worm composting, composting toilet systems
- Forest Field work – including trail making, maintaining trailcams, plant and animal ‘inventory’ and mapping
- Community building in a transient diverse community
Apprentices will be involved real camp projects in the areas described above and in addition they will also be involved in the weekly campground schedule as well as special events such as:
- Thursday evening – educational-thought provoking movie nights w/ follow up discussion
- Saturday Morning Community Campfire Breakfasts
- Saturday Evening Community Campfire
- Spring Retreat
- Summer Solstice
Apprentices will share in daily chores such as food prep, fire prep, meal prep, turning and managing compost systems.
Apprentices are responsible for making safe choices and for their own self care, health and safety. Forest living, includes daily tick checks, diverting rodents by keeping a neat home, and staying fit and healthy. Awareness and being present is key. Apprentices will be expected to be off their phones and internets except when they are in program or working on projects.
Apprentice will reside at the Outpost Campsite, a 5 minute walk from the Main Camp. Outpost camp includes 2 Adirondack Style Lean-To’s with cots, lanterns & Bug net, a Large Pavilion with a fire pit and an outhouse. Participants have the option of sleeping in the Lean-To’s, or their own tent.
Apprentices will receive two meals a day plus a snack Wednesdays – Sundays. (Morning Snack; Brunch and Dinner at 5:00pm). Apprentices should bring additional snacks with them for their comfort level. Meals are primarily vegetarian There is no program on Mondays and Tuesdays so apprentices are responsible for their own meals on these days. There is a shared Fridge and the outdoor cooking pavilion is also available on days off.
Interested applicants should complete an Apprenticeship application. All applications will be reviewed and applicants will be contacted and invited to a virtual interview in the case that CEC staff feels they are a good fit.
The application process will be open until there is no longer room in the program. All applicants will be required to sign a “release of liability” form. Applicants also need to have their own health insurance coverage and sign a statement that they are in good enough health to participate in this program.
Please email Eshay at campearthconnection@gmail.com for an application or if you have any questions. Or download the application from link below and return it via email or snail mail to: Camp Earth Connection, 63 Hammond Hill Rd, Freeville, NY 13068
