Anytown Alabama Staff 

Staff Application 2025

Application Deadline: March 31, 2025

Staff Training Dates: June 14-15 and June 20-June 22, 2025
Anytown AL Camp Dates: June 22-28, 2025

Program Overview
Anytown Alabama is a week-long summer camp dedicated to fostering leadership skills and promoting social justice advocacy among high school students. Established in 1989, Anytown has been an institution in the Birmingham area for generations of students. Initially run by the National Conference for Community & Justice, of AL (NCCJAL), the camp has been under ACE's operation since 2021. For more information about Anytown, please visit our website at www.acealabama.org/anytownalabama.


Each summer 40 to 80 students in grades 9-12 attend Anytown AL. This requires approximately 15 staff members to support camp activities, create a safe and fun environment, facilitate workshops, and serve as residential advisors (RAs). 

Qualifications & Skills

• Must be at least 19 years old and must be at least one year past graduating high school by the time of camp (graduated by or before May 2024)
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work as a member of a team as well as independently
• Ability to resolve conflicts peacefully  
• Must be able to take initiative while also following directions
• Adhere to a schedule and show up
• Comfortable speaking in front of large groups
• Maturity, flexibility, and resourcefulness 
• Posses an understanding and respect for diverse backgrounds  
• Interest in social justice 
• Experience or interest in working with teenagers   

We strive to assemble a staff that reflects the real world in which we live. Thus, our staff must be diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, social class, education level, and immigration status.


Anytown Alabama Co-Director Team 
All staff at Anytown AL will directly report to the co-director team. It is essential for staff to provide timely updates on any challenges encountered while performing their duties. This includes reporting behavioral issues with campers, logistical complications, or conflicts within the team. Additionally, staff are responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of campers by promptly reporting any incidents, accidents, or health concerns that occur during the camp.


Compensation & Benefits

• Staff will earn a $500 stipend upon successful completion of both staff training and the camp program. 
• Staff members who are accepted can receive a $100 referral bonus for each new staff member they refer, provided the referred individuals also complete the program.
• Staff will earn a Social Justice Leadership Certification upon successful completion of training and the camp program.
• All meals, transportation, lodging, materials, and a camp t-shirt are provided during the week of camp. 

    
Social Justice Leadership Certification
In order to earn the Social Justice Leadership Certificate, staff are expected to successfully and competently:

• Complete assigned background readings and online discussions via Google Classroom
• Implement & facilitate 1 -2 workshop, as assigned, during camp
• Manage & facilitate small dialogue groups daily during camp
• Demonstrate preparedness for workshops & dialogue groups
• Assume leadership for various other camp responsibilities, including supervising free-time activities.
• Follow all camp rules.
• Attend the entirety of staff training (May 25-26 and May 31-June 1)
• Attend the entirety of camp (June 2 - June 8)

Earning the Social Justice Leadership Certificate signifies a comprehensive skill set and deepened commitment to social justice. Participants will exit the camp having honed lucrative skills such as public speaking, conflict resolution, leadership, teamwork, facilitation, and mediation, among others. Beyond these skills, participants will forge strong, enduring relationships with a network of community leaders. 

Formal Evaluation
Formal evaluations will be performed by the co-director team based on the following criteria:

• Participation in staff training
• Preparedness for workshop implementation
• Adherence to camp policies and regulations
• Interaction with delegates/delegate-centered behavior
• Communication
• Staff Dynamic
• Willingness to step up or step back when necessary
• Emotional Fitness
• Receptiveness to given directions and feedback

COVID Information: Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic we will be following CDC recommendations during camp which may include proof of negative COVID test and/or masks. These policies are subject to revision as ACE deems necessary.