Assistant Director - Camper Recruitment and Retention

• Onboarding Phase (On-Site): Harrison, Maine (housing & utilities provided).
• Second Phase (Remote): Following your second summer at camp, relocating to the Tri-State or LA area (frequent travel required for regions east and west of the Mississippi River).

Position Type: Full Time (36 hours a week) in the off-season. This is an at-will and exempt position requiring over 40 hours a week during the summer months.      

Start Date: June 1, 2025

Fernwood Cove is an all-girls summer camp dedicated to personal growth, community building, and a lifetime of positive experiences for girls ages 6 to 16. We are committed to creating an inclusive, nurturing environment that fosters independence, confidence, and respect. Our staff members play a crucial role in upholding our traditions, values, and culture.

If you're passionate about travel, leadership, and making a real impact on children’s lives, this is the perfect opportunity to grow professionally while experiencing new places!  

We’re looking for two outgoing Assistant Directors to join our full-time team! In this position, you’ll play a key role in camper recruitment and retention, creating a transformational experience. You’ll be at the heart of growing our vibrant camper community, building lasting relationships with campers and their families.

This role goes beyond recruitment – during the summer, you’ll step into the role of Head Counselor, overseeing all aspects of residential life at Fernwood Cove in beautiful Harrison, Maine. To start, you’ll spend time on-site getting to know the Fernwood Cove culture and operations. After onboarding, you’ll have the exciting opportunity to relocate to either the Tri-State area or Los Angeles area, where you’ll focus on camper recruitment and retention for regions east or west of the Mississippi River.

Note: This position is open to female candidates only, as it involves residing in and supervising an all-girls living environment. This is considered a bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ).

• Camper Recruitment
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• Develop and execute marketing strategies (including social media, referral programs, and networking) to attract new campers.
• Build and maintain relationships with families, community organizations and referral services.
• Represent Fernwood Cove at camp fairs, school presentations and other recruitment events throughout the eastern or western regions.

• Camper Retention
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• Create and implement strategies to foster long-term relationships with current and former campers and their families.
• Maintain strong parent relationships and address questions or concerns.
• Organize and host family gatherings to engage our families throughout the year. 
• Coordinate alumni initiatives and special engagement programs.

• Relationship Management & Communication
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• Serve as a primary point of contact for families, handling sensitive or challenging conversations with empathy and clarity.
• Convey Fernwood Cove’s values, traditions, and culture effectively to parents, prospective families and community partners.
• Relate to and engage with girls ages 6–16 in a supportive, age-appropriate manner.
• Transitioning into the role as ‘Head Counselor’ in the summer months, you will be responsible for overseeing bunk counselors, providing evaluations and offering supportive feedback to help them grow in their roles. Additionally, you will play a key part in holding others accountable while fostering a supportive environment where both staff and campers can thrive.

• Administrative & Operational Duties
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• Manage databases, CRM systems and other tools to track leads and conversions.
• Collaborate with camp leadership on goal setting, budgets and strategic planning.
• Provide regular progress reports on recruitment and retention efforts.
• Other duties as needed and/or assigned.
• Reports directly to Associate Directors and Directors.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Experience:
• Previous camp experience (camper or staff member) required; preference given to candidates with prior administrative or leadership roles in a camp setting.
• Skills & Traits:
• Strong Understanding of Judaism.
• Exceptional ability to network and build relationships.
• Strong recall for names and details.
• Self-motivated, independent worker with minimal supervision.
• Creative problem-solver; able to adapt quickly to new challenges.
• Excellent mediation and communication skills for resolving conflicts or sensitive issues with parents, campers and staff.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate ideas in a clear and compelling manner.  
• Detail-orientated with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Skilled in social media engagement and marketing.
• A strong passion for youth development. 
• Physical Requirements:
• Ability to walk, stand, and sit (including on the floor) for long periods of time.
• Must be able to lift and/or assist children up to 50 pounds in weight.
• Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical situations and physical ability to act swiftly in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness or injury).
• Prolonged periods working on a computer and on the phone.

• Salary: $45,000 per year, housing stipend, plus performance-based recruitment/retention bonus.
• Benefits:
• Comprehensive health insurance (100% premium covered).
• 401(k) with 4% Safe Harbor match after 12 months of employment and 1000 hours worked.  
• 20 paid business days of annual leave.
• Full reimbursement of approved professional development upon successful completion.
• Remote office stipend once you transition out of on-site living.
• Housing & Meals:
• Shared housing in Maine for the first year with private bedrooms/bathrooms and communal lounge/kitchen areas, plus washer/dryers.
• All meals and laundry services provided during the summer season.

For the onboarding phase, you will live on-site in Harrison, Maine, fully immersed in the camp environment. This offers an excellent opportunity to connect with the camp community and understand our culture and operations. Once the onboarding phase is complete, you will relocate to the Tri-State or LA area, working remotely and traveling throughout the eastern or western region to events, fairs, and meetings as needed. This job requires you to be onsite during the summer from May to August each year. 

• How to Apply: Please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your camp experience, relevant skills and why you’re passionate about Fernwood Cove to admin@fernwoodcove.com
• Interview Rounds: Conducted remotely; the number of rounds may vary based on the applicant pool.

Fernwood Cove is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by law. Because this is an all-girls summer camp, female gender is a bona fide occupational qualification for this role based on living arrangements and supervision requirements.

Are you ready to empower the next generation of girls? At Fernwood Cove, you’ll create a transformative journey that fosters personal growth, inspires creativity, and forms lifelong friendships—leaving a lasting impact on every camper, and making the world a better place—one camper at a time.