Playworker-in-Training

What is the Playworker-In-Training Program?

Playworkers-In-Training or PITs are young people (13-15) who would like to join camp as campers, but who want a little more structure and responsibility. PITs are campers and count toward our staff/camper ratios. This is not a paid position, and PITs are welcome to drop from the program at any time.

The PIT Program involves one day of training/learning about playwork prior to camp. PITs will join a camp week with other campers. They will be able to work with and shadow playworkers to learn what is happening behind the scenes at camp. They will have choices about how to spend their day, and they are given options and directions to help them along the way.

What do PITs do?

PITs have many options during the camp day. They can help younger campers to work on bigger projects. They can help the playworkers with site work like straightening nails, digging the mud pit, or organizing loose parts. They can keep an eye on play dynamics and inform the playworker team if they notice any issues with campers. They can play fun roles with the other campers. They can introduce games that they played in prior years. They can even just hang out with campers who need some time to relax. PITs have access to The Shed and will have daily opportunities to meet with the playworker team to ask questions and to reflect on their experience.

Why Does this exist?

In the summer of 2023, play:groundNYC launched a PIT pilot program. This initiative was inspired by our community of campers. As these young people were approaching the upper end of our age-range, they wanted to continue to participate in camp, but they also wanted new challenges.

How to apply?

We are looking for PITs who really want to take part in this experience.

To ensure this, we’re inviting applicants to send a short, 40-second to 2-minute video. In it we ask for answers to these 3 questions:

1. Why do I want to come to camp as a PIT this year?

2. What would I most like to do as a PIT?

3. Which week(s) would I like to join?

Feel free to include any favorite camp moments or comments for the playworker team.

If you are not able to submit a video, we’re happy to set up a phone call instead.

Only 3 PITs MAX per session

Once approved, families will be provided with a special camp registration link for the week of their choice.

Please submit applications/inquiries to yoni@play-ground.nyc.

play over development stages

For camp, we state that we welcome children from 6-12+ because many campers begin to lose interest after 12. This is a normal point in the development cycle. When speaking with some of these campers, they mention that getting lost in play is not as easy as used to be. These young people begin to be more interested in what the older playworkers do all day, and they are looking for ways to contribute and to join roles held by older people.

Play is for all ages

At The Yard, we welcome children/young people from 0-19 to play. On weekends, kids under 5 can play with their own grown-ups on our family side, while the rest are welcome into the Kids-Only playground. We love to see teens (and adults) find moments to laugh, play, and recapture that magic of younger childhood. Our playworkers know first hand how important it is to keep that connection throughout our lives.