Summer Urban Program 2026
Staff Application

ABOUT SUP


PBHA’s Summer Urban Program is a collection of 12 student-run summer programs for children in Boston and Cambridge. Each summer, approximately 150 college students work in these communities, serving nearly 800 youth. SUP programs come in two unique structures:

  • Mornings of curricular, classroom-based enrichment and afternoons of field trips in and around Boston.
  • Mentorship programs for high school students who are employed as Junior Counselors in SUP camps, many of whom were once campers themselves. 

Each camp uses the city as a classroom without walls, and the summer culminates in final trips and a show. An essential element of SUP is community partnership; teens who are often former campers are hired as junior or senior counselors and directors, and parents and community leaders play an important role in the operation of the programs. An explanation of all SUP programs and the communities they serve are available on PBHA's website.


HOW TO COMPLETE THIS APPLICATION

1. Check the box beside the staff position to view details.
2. In order to best prepare, have the following information ready before proceeding:

  • All your contact information
  • College identification number
  • Drivers license and CPR/first aid certifications, if applicable (not required)
  •  A well formatted, 1-page resume
  • Contact information and relationship to you of 3 different references who know of your capabilities, talents, and character. At least one should be a previous employer. No relatives. These references will be contacted during the hiring process.
  • Anticipated availability during the summer. Most SUP positions are full-time jobs, expecting employees to typically work Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm (not including transport time). As a SUP employee, you are expected to not hold any other significant commitments or jobs during the summer that may interfere with your ability to perform during SUP working hours (e.g. summer classes, other jobs). If you do have another summer commitment but are still highly interested in working for SUP, please discuss this with a camp director/SUP PGO beforehand so we can ensure you have all the information you need to make an informed choice this summer.

3. Select the position you are applying for. To apply for more than one position, submit a separate application for each position.

4. Continue visiting this page throughout the school year as more staff applications become available.


Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to connecting with you soon!



AVAILABLE POSITIONS
Application opens: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2025
Application closes: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2025
SUP Directors will oversee the operation of one of 12 summer programs, detailed on PBHA's website. (Note: all camps are currently accepting director applications except for Recent Immigrant Summer Enrichment.)

Camps will operate fully in person in 2025 unless public health guidance is prohibitive. Successful candidates will demonstrate creativity, willingness to innovate, interest in change management, and a child-centered approach to program development.

SUP Directors serve in a volunteer capacity from January 1, 2026 through May 31, 2026. During the spring, directors must attend weekly training on Fridays from 3-5PM beginning in early February 2026. Directors receive $6,000 in internship funding plus subsidized housing to support the 12 weeks of SUP work (June-August 2026).

In addition to the information laid out above, Director applicants should also submit two essays (300 words or less each) on the following prompts:
  1. As a SUP director, you will be in charge of a particular camp but also be expected to cooperate and help with PBHA and SUP-wide efforts by working with directors from other camps. Do you have any experience working on a team? If so, please elaborate on this experience, your strengths and areas of growth, and the role in which you see yourself playing on the SUP team. How might you help to make sure SUP runs well while ensuring the excellence of your own program?   
  2. What does service to youth and families mean to you, and how does it connect to your interest in directing SUP?
                        
The priority deadline is November 1. Applications submitted after that date will be considered on a rolling basis. If this application is still visible then interviewing for positions are open. Contact the Summer Urban Program Group Officers at sup@pbha.org with any questions or concerns you may have about the application and interview process. Please contact the current program directors with specific questions about their programs.
Application opens: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2025
Application will remain open on a rolling basis.
Full-time SUPport is a paid, full-time position. FTS staff receive $6,000-7,000 in internship funding plus subsidized housing to support the 12 weeks of SUP work (June- August 2026). You may not accept any additional employment offers or take courses while working for SUP.  FTS staff may not accept funding from any additional program (exceptions: MCS funding specifically for SUP, Chan Stride Funding for SUP, and Harvard Club funding specifically for SUP). FTS staff cannot accept two sources of funding for the position. If you have any concerns about meeting these criteria, please let us know as soon as possible. 

SUPport staff carry out critical tasks and responsibilities that enable all 12 SUP programs to run smoothly over the summer. These often include but are not limited to:
  • Being a substitute director/senior counselor
  • Planning and organizing SUP-wide events such as our Midsummer Celebration, weekly barbecues, and overnight camping trips
  • Van driving
  • Lifeguarding
  • Central administrative tasks e.g. transportation logistics, planning counselor trainings, supplies logistics, finance, public relations
As of now, this application is only open to former SUP Directors AND/OR current/former Officers. This is an internal application form sent to those who have indicated interest in the role to the SUP PGOs -- it is not open for external applications (for now). Although we welcome your application, there are limited Full Time Support roles available this year.

In addition to the information laid out above, Full Time Staff applicants should also submit an essay (300 words or less each) on the following prompt:

The Summer Urban Program involves communication, teamwork and fast-paced moving pieces across hundreds of people. What role(s) would best suit you in this environment? What special talents, interests, or skills would you lend to the collaborative effort?

Please contact the Summer Urban Program Group Officer at sup@pbha.org with any questions or concerns you may have about the application process.
Application opens: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2025
Application priority deadline: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2026
Application closes: MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2026
Each Senior Counselor at the Summer Urban Program works with groups of children ages 6-13 for six weeks during the summer (RISE works with high school students), implementing a self­-designed curriculum. They work closely with Junior Counselors, teenagers from the particular community in which the program is located that act as classroom assistants. Senior Counselors are expected to keep in close contact with parents and community members as well as join the rest of the staff on various retreats and trainings throughout the summer.

Further, Senior Counselors are an integral part of camp operations and are expected to work as part of a team to ensure that the program runs as well as possible. Senior Counselors are encouraged to limit outside commitments, as community involvement and program preparation may extend beyond designated camp hours. A significant number of outside training, staff meetings, and independent preparation are expected.

SUP will operate fully in person programming. Senior staff will be provided with housing and food at no cost, and will receive a stipend of $5,000 to offset living expenses. All Senior Counselors are expected to work for approximately three weeks of staff training and six weeks of camp. You must commit to being available full-time from June 18 to August 8, 2026. You may not accept any additional employment offers or take courses while working for SUP.  Senior Counselors may not accept funding from any additional program (exceptions: MCS funding specifically for SUP, Chan Stride Funding for SUP, and Harvard Club funding specifically for SUP). Senior Counselors cannot accept two sources of funding for the position. 
Application opens: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2025
Application will remain open on a rolling basis.
Summer Fun consists of four part-time programs that fall under the SUP umbrella: Summer Environmental Science (“Enviro”), Summer Science, Summer CIVICS, and Summer HARMONY (music education). Each program consists of two directors and two teachers (all four provide classroom instruction at camps). The purpose of each program is to provide high quality, tailored curriculum around a specific topic area to supplement the overall curriculum in SUP classrooms. Summer Fun will be available each day of camp in the morning, visiting 2-3 classrooms each morning.

Summer Fun has openings for directors and teachers in three programs:
  • Summer Science
    Summer Science is designed around activity-based experimental learning, with lessons including chemical reactions, states of matter, and even making ice cream! The program aims to turn students on to the joy of discovery and spark further study through exciting hands-on science exploration.
  • Summer CIVICS
    Summer CIVICS provides campers with opportunities to expand their understanding of government and show them how their lives intersect with it. The CIVICS program aims to empower students by emphasizing the real ways they can take action, impact their community, and shape the world around them.
  • Summer HARMONY
    Summer HARMONY inspires fun, inclusive musical exploration, rooted in global styles, self-expression, and creativity. We want to help SUP campers discover that music is not only for them, but it’s a powerful, everyday part of life that builds connection, creativity, and a lasting sense of self.
  • Summer Environmental Science (accepting teacher applications only)
    Summer Enviro sparks curiosity and empowers young minds through hands-on learning in environmental science. We will help campers build a deeper understanding of the natural world, explore the connections between human actions and ecosystem health, and grow into thoughtful stewards of a more sustainable future!
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The application for this position is not yet open. Please check back later in the fall for more information.

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