Who We Are

Starfinder Foundation is a nonprofit organization that uses soccer to inspire social change and transform the lives of youth in underserved communities, one kid at a time. Our vision is a Philadelphia region where the playing field is level, and all kids are thriving.

We are guided by the following principles:

• All kids deserve to learn, grow, and thrive.
• A strong community is our greatest asset.
• Young people have a great deal to contribute.
• Soccer is a powerful vehicle for youth development.
• Play makes life better.

Why We Do It

At Starfinder Foundation (Starfinder), we are actively refuting the idea that Philadelphia’s underserved youth need to stay underserved. We refute the idea that only the kids with the most resources can be successful or that graduation and college is attainable to some, but not to all.

Therefore, we do not just help kids on the soccer field; we help them develop off the field too. We provide educational resources, emotional support, and leadership training. We cultivate a supportive, tight-knit community that pushes young people forward.

Starfinder is an award winning, internationally recognized nonprofit organization that promotes positive youth development for pre-school, elementary, middle, and high school youth through high-quality sports-based youth development programming. We use soccer as a framework to provide the opportunity and support youth in becoming healthy contributors to their communities.

We offer young people an experience through which they can excel in athletics while practicing life and leadership skills in a safe, fun, supportive and challenging environment.

Summer Camp Overview

Starfinder is hosts a 5 week summer camp at our indoor turf facility in the Manayunk neighborhood of Philadelphia, during the weeks of July 1, 2024, through August 2, 2024.

Starfinder camps run 1 week in length, however families may register for one week or every week.

Our camps hosts youth from across the region from ages 5 years old to 14 years old. We utilize the power of soccer to engage youth of all abilities in skill development, leadership activities, social engagement, communications, and confidence building.

Each day begins with an intention setting discussion and ends with a conversation centered on reflection of the day’s events and themes. In between those moments is a progressive course of soccer skills, drills, and games that focus on the fundamentals of the game. Along with soccer, team building activities, challenges, and some fun games are mixed in to create an all-around, enjoyable, and fun experience for all participants!

What to Expect

Starfinder Summer Camp Coaches are expected to be available from 8:00am – 3:00pm, Mondays through Fridays on assigned program days unless otherwise indicated. Including training, the commitment of a summer camp coach is June 17, 2024 through August 7, 2024.

Full schedule included below. They are required to attend two weeks of training in advance of camp and must be available for all times outlined below. This is subject to change at the discretion of the Program Manager. Changes will be communicated to staff promptly.

June: Camp Training

June 17, 2024- June 21, 2024 AND June 24, 2024-June 28, 2024

• No training on Wednesday, June 19th (Juneteenth)

July: Summer Camp

Week 1: July 1, 2024-July 5, 2024

• No camp on Thursday, July 4th (American Independence Day)

Week 2: July 8, 2024-July 12, 2024

Week 3: July 15, 2024-July 19, 2024

Week 4: July 22, 2024- July 26, 2024

Week 5: July 29, 2024-August 2, 2024

August: Coaches Evaluations, Resume Workshop & Celebration

August 5, 2024-August 7, 2024

Responsibilities

All staff is expected to practice and exemplify the Summer Camp group agreement: REACH

• Readiness: Be prepared to work, learn, and contribute. Be ON TIME to all summer camp sessions, staff training, events, and activities.
• Empathy: Everyone’s experiences matter. Be compassionate & understanding.
• Attitude: View both success and failure as opportunity.
• Communication: Use your voice and hear others.
• Hard Work: You have control over your effort – 100%

Serve as a Summer Camp Coach to assigned age group. This includes supporting and facilitating daily program activities (planning camp sessions, leading and supporting camp activities, encouraging leadership opportunities for all participants). This includes being active participants with campers during all camp sessions.

• Arriving on time each morning to prepare the space for the campers and organize lesson plans with co-coaches.
• Set up and break down equipment, and maintain facilities and equipment based on Starfinder’s standards daily.
• Assist in delivering and/or leading soccer activities based on a specific soccer theme.
• Initiate team time with campers and engage youth with reflections topics
• Communicate with campers and parents about Starfinder to spread mission and program information

Support program measurement and evaluation plans (daily attendance, weekly progress evaluations, awards and recognition, camp photos, distribution of surveys to parents/guardians, etc.).

Develop appropriate, supportive relationships with all program participants.

Participate in all staff training sessions, meetings, trainings, and other professional development opportunities.

Other duties as assigned.

Who we are looking for

• The ideal candidate for this position is someone who:
• Has experience working with children…and loves it!
• Has been called the energizer bunny once or twice in their lives.
• Values the process of skill building and praises effort and hard work over just the results.
• Is flexible and can adapt to the needs of the team on any given day.
• Can give and receive feedback in a positive way and without judgement.

Requirements and Qualifications

PA State Police Criminal background

PA Department of Public Welfare Childline Abuse History Clearance

Act 126 Training

FBI Criminal History Background Check

CPR/First Aid Certification

• Courses may be available to candidates.

APPLY

Please submit your resume AND complete the application here: https://starfinderfoundation.org/about-us/employment

You will be required to submit this application in order to be considered for employment.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $15.00 - $17.00 per hour

Expected hours: 30 per week

Benefits:

• On-the-job training
• Paid training

Grade levels:

• 1st grade
• 2nd grade
• 3rd grade
• 4th grade
• 5th grade
• 6th grade
• 7th grade
• 8th grade
• Kindergarten

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person