Program Director-Summer Sleepaway 2025 at Camp Kaufmann-Temporary

Summer Sleepaway 2025 at Camp Kaufmann
Program Director

Position Description
The Program Director is responsible for managing the Program Team, supporting Activity Specialists in the development and implementation of session theme activities that satisfy all badge requirements for Girl Scout campers. They act in accordance with the New York Department of Health (NYDOH), Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), and the American Camp Association (ACA) standards, and demonstrate the mission of Girl Scouting and the positive impact of camp.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and support 4 Activity Specialists – Arts & Crafts Specialist, Nature Specialist, Games & Sports Specialist, and Girl Scout Specialist – from diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds (including international staff).
• Promote team cohesion, ensure appropriate workload dispersion, and coordinate breaks.
• Collaborate with the Camp Coordinator and Activity Specialists to plan activity content in line with session themes and badge requirements.
• Serve as a member of the Camp Leadership Team and facilitate cross-team communication, including daily check-ins with Senior Leadership.
• Assist with camp administrative work, including keeping records, preparing reports, making phone calls, and handling money.
• Work with the Camp Leadership Team to order supplies, track inventory, and ensure all program areas are stocked with the appropriate supplies.
• Support Unit Managers in tracking badge completion and ensuring campers are prepared for their weekly badgework showcase.
• Apply behavior management techniques to mediate conflicts between campers and between staff, knowing when to elevate concerns to Senior Leadership.
• Guide campers and staff in emergency situations, remaining calm under pressure.
• Mentor high school Counselors-in-Training (CITs) as they assist in facilitating activities.
• Provide coverage for other staff during activities, meals, unit time, and overnight as needed.
• Enthusiastically participate in all aspects of camp, including staff training, structured and unstructured activities, team building, and debriefing.
• Demonstrate quick thinking, excellent communication, sound problem-solving techniques, and ability to work as a team player.
• Model and teach camp expectations for campers and staff regarding cleanliness, personal hygiene, punctuality, mutual respect, appropriate language, and appropriate attire.
• Help ensure that daily camp activities follow ACA and NYSDOH standards.
• Comply with all policies communicated in staff training and staff manual.
• Lead training activities as assigned by Camp Leadership during staff training.
• Abide by the mission and values of Girl Scouts.
• Provide excellent customer service to campers, caregivers, camp visitors, and other staff.
• Perform other tasks and responsibilities assigned by the Camp Leadership Team.

Minimum Qualifications

• Be at least 20 years of age by July 1, 2025.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience teaching youth; information education preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to guide and supervise other adults.
• Coursework or prior experience in program design and development.
• Desire and ability to work with and relate to campers and staff from diverse backgrounds in an outdoor environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage challenging behavioral situations with youth effectively.
• Patience, sense of humor, integrity, and an ability to adapt well to changing situations.
• The acceptance and understanding that employment is at a sleepaway (overnight) camp and that work hours are long and irregular.
• Possess the strength and endurance required to succeed in a sleepaway camp environment.
• Clearance through the Sex Offender Registry and Criminal Background Check.
• Possess a valid driver’s license and a willingness to be certified to drive the Camp vehicles.
• Willingness to prioritize the needs of Girl Scouts of Greater New York and Camp Kaufmann.
  Preferred Qualifications
• Prior supervision experience.
• Prior camp experience and/or interest in the outdoors.
• Experience or interest in the Girl Scout program and youth leadership development.
• Dates of Summer 2025 Employment:
  • Must live local to camp or on site and be available to work the ENTIRE duration of:
  • Staff training: June 22 – July 5. Additional certification classes may be required.
  • Summer camp programming (5 sessions): July 6 – August 8.
  • Camp closing/clean up: August 9 – August 10.
  • Time off: Friday evening to Saturday evening weekly, except July 5th.
  • Applicants who cannot commit to these dates will NOT be considered.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Ability to lift 40 pounds.
• Good health and the stamina necessary to work in a camp setting.
• Ability to stand and/or walk for long periods of time while leading programming.

Compensation

• $160 - $200 per diem rate, based on prior experience and certifications.
• Room and board while at camp.
• Cost of travel to/from NYC weekly, plus other off-camp excursion opportunities.

No phone calls, please.

The Girl Scouts of Greater New York are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. This job description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this description. Any essential function or requirement of this job will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent or applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation(s) for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent or applicant when possible. 

Salary : $160 - $200