Study Center Vineyard Staff

The FOCUS Study Center on Martha’s Vineyard hosts FOCUS programs throughout the summer.  At the Study Center, we need a steady flow of people who are interested in helping us do the work behind the scenes – the team we call Vineyard Staff.  Generally, these volunteers are associated with FOCUS as college students, young adult alumni, parents, or faculty, but we are glad to welcome others. 

Vineyard Staff most often serve as cooks (there are two experienced, professional kitchen staff), but we also need volunteers for maintenance, gardening, childcare, and life-guarding.

Volunteers for Vineyard Staff may come for just a few days to several weeks; new volunteers should come for at least a week.  While parents interested in Vineyard Staff may want to come for particular programs, other volunteers should consider commitments that span program starting / ending dates. 

While members of the Vineyard Staff are not directly involved in the student programs, they are vitally involved in a community of service. Generally, volunteers for Vineyard Staff work 5 to 6 hours a day along with a short meeting for planning and fellowship.  There are good opportunities to observe or share in some of the program activities as well as to explore and enjoy the Vineyard.  Housing for Vineyard Staff is generally in one of our two family cottages, but may be elsewhere at the Study Center.

There are a few modestly paid positions that call for longer commitments: the kitchen team leader, program administrators, and the head of maintenance.

If you are interested in learning more about volunteering on the Vineyard Staff or in one of the paid positions, please contact Woody Bowman at (508) 693-4824 or wbowman@infocus.org.