Day Camp Director

In 1887, John Ames Mitchell, editor of Life magazine, raised $800 to send 266 children from New York City to the Life Fresh Air Farm in Branchville, Connecticut. Since that first summer, thousands of children and teens have participated in life-changing experiences at our nature-based summer camp and after-school programs in New York and New Jersey. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to play, learn, and grow at camp. Trail Blazers is committed to creating diverse, equitable, and inclusive spaces where all children, families, and staff are valued, included, and empowered.

Summary of Position

The Day Camp Director is a year-round position combining summer camp based work with off-season responsibilities for recruitment, community engagement, and break camps. This position requires a dynamic, energetic person who is passionate about youth development and providing excellent summer experiences for campers and parents alike. This person will oversee and provide guidance to our senior day camp team. The director will join a small team of passionate professionals in an energetic and dedicated work environment.

This position is a full-time, exempt position.

Essential Functions 

• Summer Program Operations
  • Responsible for all aspects of day-to-day camp operations including program, staff, and schedules
  • Ensure compliance with Department of Health regulations and American Camp Association accreditation standards
  • Manage parent communication and relationship management including escalated incidents
  • Create a safe and joyful camp environment for both campers and staff, focused on positive youth development for programs and behavior management. 
     
• School Year Program Operations
  • Manage all aspects of School Break and Holiday Camps, including budgets, camper enrollment, staffing and program
  • Work as needed as a senior staff person for School Field Trips and Corporate Conferences/ Retreats held at Overnight Camp
     
• Camper Recruitment
  • Develop a multi-pronged strategy and timeline for meeting enrollment goals, with focus direct enrollments from school partners and returning campers
  • Manage a schedule of camp fairs, info sessions, open houses, and recruitment visits at schools and community organizations
  • Develop and maintain trusting relationships with campers and families
  • Review and respond to camper and family feedback
     
• Program Development
  • Develop and manage program budgets to meet revenue and expense budget goals
  • Using current programming as a base, continue to create and develop high-quality and intentional summer programming that aligns with Trail Blazers’s values and encourages camper growth
  • Work with the Assistant Director of Program Design and Evaluation to supervise the collection of data for program improvement, including camper, parent, and staff surveys. Review data analysis and utilize it to improve programming
  • Complete necessary preseason program and operations prep; utilize other Trail Blazers’s program staff year round as needed
  • Oversee external vendors, outside program partners and field trips
     
• Staffing
  • Supervise a team of seasonal leadership staff who in turn supervise all front line staff, providing ongoing coaching and performance management
  • Responsible for overall staff management including program, leadership  and support staff to ensure the safe and efficient operation of high quality Day Camp programs
  • Sustain a positive staff culture based in Trail Blazers’s mission and values
  • Develop an annual staffing plan based on anticipated camper enrollment and program plans. Create goals for staff retention and manage year round staff engagement
  • Work closely with Human Resources on seasonal staff recruitment and hiring, including candidate interviews and selection
  • Work closely with Human Resources to support onboarding of seasonal staff including required documentation, contracts, and training
  • Develop and manage comprehensive preseason and in-season staff training
  • Conduct mid-season and end of summer evaluations of staff 
     
• Other responsibilities as needed. This job description is non-exhaustive and subject to change at any time.
   

• Camp administrative and leadership experience is a non-negotiable requirement
• 3+ years of progressively responsible managerial and supervisory experience in a camp setting or youth development organization
• Experience with environmental science, outdoor education, or outdoor adventure programming preferred
• Substantial knowledge of youth/child development
• Demonstrated success cultivating environments that empower others to lead
• High level analytic, problem solving, verbal, and written communications skills
• Must meet all ACA standards for day camp directors, including a minimum age of 25
• Prior experience with NYC DOH Camp Permit process and ACA Accreditation preferred
• Willingness to undergo background check requirements, including NYC DOH background check requirements to obtain a camp permit
• Current advanced CPR/first aid certification, or willingness to procure
• Ability to interpret, apply, and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Ability to remain stationary for up to 70% of the work day
• Ability to move safely around the office
• Ability to climb flights of stairs
• Ability to work outside in all weather conditions
• Ability to move over rough terrain for extended periods of time
• Ability to recognize and respond to dangerous situations
   

Compensation and Position Details 

• This is a full time, salaried, exempt position
• Regular hours of work are Monday-Friday, 10 am to 6 pm; adjusted hours may sometimes be required
• During the offseason, this position follows a hybrid schedule of two days per week in the office following an initial in-office orientation period. During camp season, this is a fully in-person, on-site position.
• Salary: $70,000 to $80,000
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with employee contribution available upon hire
• 403(b) savings account with employer match available after 90 days
• FSA account available after 90 days
• 3 weeks paid vacation available after 90 day introductory period
• 1 additional day after 1 year; 2 additional days after 2 years; 2 additional days after 3 years
• 1 additional week of post-summer vacation to be taken during the fall
• Three (3) paid personal days to accommodate family needs, appointments, religious celebrations, and other personal items
• Full office closure between Christmas and New Years
• All federal holidays observed, plus the day after Thanksgiving and one floating holiday
   

Start Date: Flexible, with an anticipated start date of December 1. 

Trail Blazers is an EEO employer. Applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, ancestry, physical/mental disability, medical condition, military/veteran status, genetic information, marital status, ethnicity, alienage or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. By completing this application, you are seeking to join a team of hardworking professionals dedicated to consistently delivering outstanding programs and services to our campers and families. Applicants requiring accommodation to complete the application and/or interview process should contact
jobs @trailblazers.org.