1. Do I have to reapply to the program every year?
Yes. Even if you were in the program previously, you must submit an application (with reference letters) and participate in a group interview every year. You are not guaranteed a position in the next tier of the program just because you participated before.
2. I am in the 12th grade now—can I apply to be an apprentice?
Unfortunately, students currently in the 12th grade are not eligible to apply for GAP. The only 12th graders in the program are returning Tier 4 apprentices. (Tier 4 is not open to new applicants.)
3. If I participated in the Children's Garden programs (Seeds, City Farmers, Junior Botanists, etc.), do I automatically get into GAP?
No, we do not automatically accept anyone into the program—all students must submit a full application and be interviewed. We have many apprentices who have participated in other BBG programs, and we encourage all former program participants to apply.
4. How does GAP decide who is accepted into the program?
The staff panel reviews the applications and considers the applicant's short-answer responses and the teacher's comments about the applicant on the reference forms, as well as how the applicant represents him-/herself at the group interview. We are looking for enthusiasm, genuine interest in learning at BBG, and an open mind. Past performance in the Garden Apprentice Program is also taken into consideration for returning applicants.
5. Do I need to have gardening experience to be accepted as an apprentice?
No. We have some apprentices with years of experience in growing food and working with plants and many more apprentices who have never set foot in a vegetable garden. The apprenticeship is designed so that people from all knowledge levels have opportunities to learn and explore.
6. What is the time commitment for an apprentice?
The time commitment for GAP varies depending on the time of year and your tier in the program. Generally, the time commitment is as follows:
All Tiers: Three Saturdays in March for spring training (March 4, 18, 25); Wednesdays after school (4–6 p.m.) OR Saturday afternoons (2–4 p.m.) for horticulture in spring and fall; and two Saturdays in November for special events (dates TBA)
Tier 1: Fridays after school (3–6 p.m.) or Saturday mornings (9 a.m.–1p.m.) in the spring and fall; Tuesday through Friday for six weeks in the summer
Tier 2: Tuesdays after school (4–6 p.m.) or Saturday mornings (10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.) in the spring and fall; Tuesday through Friday for seven weeks in the summer
Tier 3: Tuesdays after school (4–6 p.m.) or Saturday mornings (10 a.m.–1 p.m.) in the spring and fall; Tuesday through Friday for seven weeks in the summer
Tier 4: Fridays after school (3–6 p.m.) or Saturday mornings (9 a.m.–1 p.m.) in the spring and fall; Tuesday through Friday for eight weeks in the summer
Apprentices typically work an average of 5 hours per week during the academic year and 25 hours per week during summer programming. All apprentices have mandatory training for three full Saturdays in March. Meetings, trainings, and special events will be added periodically to the calendar. Check the applications for specific dates for each tier.
While many apprentices participate in sports, clubs, college prep, and other extracurricular activities, we do ask that those serious about applying prioritize GAP, after academics. We help apprentices develop the time-management skills needed to juggle multiple responsibilities and are generally flexible regarding occasional, prearranged conflicts.
7. What are the dates for the 2017 program?
GAP runs from March through November 2017. Important dates are listed below:
Spring
- March Saturdays
- All-day trainings; March 4, 18, 25
- April–May
- Spring placements
Summer
- June 29, July 11–14
- Tier 1 summer training
- July 18–August 18
- Tier 1 summer session
- July 5–7
- Tier 2 summer training
- July 11–August 18
- Tier 2 summer session
- July 5–July 7
- Tier 3 summer training
- July 11–August 18
- Tier 3 summer session
- June 29–June 30
- Tier 4 summer training
- July 5–August 18
- Tier 4 summer session
Fall
- September–October
- Fall placements
- November 4
- CG Closing Meeting and Gap Info Session
- November 11
- All-day GAP Closing Meeting
- November 18
- GAP Graduation
Special meetings, events, and trainings will be added to the calendar throughout the year.
8. Can I miss the summer session and still participate in GAP?
No. Participation in the summer session of the program is required, no exceptions. Please schedule family vacations and other activities before or after the dates listed on the application.
9. Can I participate only in the summer session?
No. We ask apprentices to make a full commitment to the program, March–November. If you are looking for a summer internship only, this is not the place for you!
10. What if I want to go on vacation during the summer?
Please schedule family vacations and other activities before or after the dates listed on the application.
11. Can I apply for Summer Youth Employment Program in the summer and still participate in GAP?
Due to scheduling constraints and other concerns, we are not able to have apprentices apply for SYEP funding for the summer.
12. Do I have to start at Tier 1, or can I join the program at another tier level?
You can apply to the Garden Apprentice Program at any tier except Tier 4. To apply to be a Tier 4 apprentice, you must have successfully completed Tier 3.
13. Can I skip a tier?
No, we generally do not allow apprentices to skip tiers. There are opportunities and skills unique to each tier that we think are valuable as you move up through the program.
14. Could participation in GAP count toward community service credit?
Absolutely! The hours you contribute to BBG as a Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 3 apprentice are considered volunteer hours. These hours can be used toward community service requirements from your school. Even though apprentices in Tiers 1, 2, and 3 receive a stipend for their work (see #15, below), the hours contributed are still considered volunteer hours. Tier 4 apprentices cannot apply their work hours toward community service because they are being paid for their work.
15. Do I get paid? When?
Apprentices who successfully complete the program are given a nontaxable award in December, as listed below. Apprentices in Tiers 1–3 who complete the program year with perfect attendance, as defined by the GAP handbook, will receive an additional monetary bonus of $50.
Tier 1: $100
Tier 2: $200
Tier 3: $450
Tier 4: Apprentices are considered part-time BBG staff and receive an hourly wage based on the applicable minimum wage set by the NYC Department of Labor, currently $9/hour, scheduled to rise to $11/hour in 2017.
16. Why is there a $50 fee for new apprentices?
All new apprentices are required to pay a one-time $50 fee to help offset the cost of uniforms and other materials provided to each apprentice. As the apprentice moves up the tiers in the program, he/she is not required to pay the fee again.
17. Do I have to send in all my application materials together, or can they be submitted separately?
No, you do not have to submit all your application materials at the same time. You can complete your application online, mail it in, or drop it off, and then ask your references to complete their forms online or mail them directly to the GAP coordinator:
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Attn: GAP
1000 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11225
Make sure your references know that all application materials are due by November 30, 2016! That means that the forms must be received by GAP by November 30, not postmarked by November 30. We recommend speaking with your references well in advance of the deadline. We do not accept faxes.
18. How many apprentices are accepted into the program?
GAP accepts 12 to 14 apprentices per tier. In the past, we have received about three times that number of applications. Therefore, acceptance into the program is competitive but not impossible! Good luck!
More questions? Contact the GAP coordinator at 718-623-7252 or [email protected].
