Work with Youth from around the World

Legacy International's Global Youth Village annually brings together over 50 young people (ages 13-18) and 20 staff from more than 15 nations and cultures to its program site in Virginia, U.S.A. Experientially based programs focus on leadership development, global issues, environmental action, cross-cultural relations, conflict resolution, and the arts.

Working at Legacy is a unique opportunity for professionals, graduate and undergraduate students to gain experience and share knowledge in new ways. The low staff/youth ratio lends itself to personalized instruction and mentoring in a caring atmosphere. The year-round staff is composed of people with diverse talents, some of whom have worked in the field of cross-cultural relations for more than 20 years. Many seasonal staff are also professionals or graduate students, with 2-10 years experience in their fields, and typically range in age from 21-45. The expertise of the year-round staff, combined with carefully selected summer staff, creates a dynamic, cooperative learning community representing various abilities, experiences, and viewpoints.

Recreation

Enjoy the beauty of Virginia’s Appalachian Mountains on your days off. Whether it's a jet skiing at Smith Mountain Lake, hiking the Appalachian Trail, taking in the historic sites of Monticello, or visiting the market, restaurants and clubs in downtown Roanoke, you'll find lots of options within a one to two hour drive.

Back on campus, we encourage staff to use our facilities and equipment during off duty time. It is a great opportunity to return to a favorite activity you haven't had a chance to do in a while or try something new. There is a staff lounge, open 24 hours a day. Computers with internet access are also available for staff. Special staff events are organized on occasion during the session such as late night pool parties and movie nights.

Room and Board

Housing options: Shared Cabin

Accommodations for counseling staff are in cabins with youth. Other staff are housed in similar cabins, but with adult staff only. Centralized bathhouses serve each cluster of cabins. Select program areas are air-conditioned.

Legacy serves a delicious vegetarian diet. Special dietary needs can usually be met. Poultry entrees are served on rare occasions.

Benefits

Working at the Global Youth Village is a very rewarding experience. Alumni staff say it best: “There is something amazing about the Legacy experience. I always leave feeling incredibly hopeful and inspired. It is really quite unique and wonderful. The experience always activates some hidden corner of my mind and heart... It never ceases to be positive and personally transformative for everyone involved… I will continue to reflect on and discover all this experience has taught me, questions it has given rise in me, and to contemplate how I can expand my role as a voice and agent for positive change and how I can work to create an increasingly peaceful world.” -- Marie Lewis, alumni staff and professional educator; August, 2007

All positions include room and board, medical and accident insurance (subject to specific limitations), and laundry service. A modest stipend is negotiated, ranging between $900-$1700 gross, depending on the position and length of employment. (Staff are responsible for their own transportation costs.) The training and skill development provided also attracts many volunteers. Professional educators may find this training as a means to fulfill continuing education requirements.

Many staff have earned graduate or undergraduate credit from their colleges or universities for work at the Global Youth Village. If you would like to receive credit, Legacy's administrative staff will work with you and your academic advisor to design and monitor a learning program. Staff interested in pursuing credit are responsible for making arrangements with their institution, and for paying any additional tuition.

Transportation Info

Staff members are welcome to bring their own cars. The nearest bus station is Lynchburg, Virginia; the nearest airports are in Lynchburg or Roanoke, Virginia; the closest train station is in Lynchburg. We will pick up staff members at either city. Some staff chose to fly in to Washington, DC. From DC, there are a couple of options (bus or train) to get to Lynchburg where a camp representative will be available for a pick up.

How to Apply

You will find our application and reference forms on our website.

International/J-1 Applicants Welcome.

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