Summer Camp Director

Job Summary: The Camp Director will oversee the administration, supervision, and coordination of the summer camp program, ensuring compliance with health and safety standards while fostering a supportive and engaging camp environment. This role collaborates with the Camp Team to implement a safe, fun, and enriching program that meets the camp's mission and camper needs.

About Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York: Girl Scouts create the world they want to live in and strive to make it better every single day. They explore their strengths, take on new challenges, and can always be themselves, regardless of background or ability. Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York is one of 110 councils across the United States, supporting Girl Scouts and volunteers across fifteen counties of upstate New York. We help build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.

Camp Is-Sho-Da: Our Camps are unique and shaped by the physical, and outdoor spaces in which they take place, the team-building nature of our activities, and the welcoming environment that we strive to create Camp Is-Sho-Da is located on 100 acres of fields and woods in East Greenbush, NY. Camp Is-Sho-Da is a great option to enjoy all the best of camp for children in kindergarten through grade 12. With hiking trails, a five-acre pond for water activities, a large playfield, and facilities for nature study and artmaking, there is always something fun to do. Rustic screened enclosed shelters, platform tents, and covered wagons offer a variety of options for camping.

Summer Camp Employment dates at Camp Is-Sho-Da are June 29th – August 15th 2025. These dates include pre-camp training and post-camp clean-up. Camp staff generally work 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday. All staff stay overnight with campers Wednesday night.

This position supports a summer day camp which requires the Camp Director to be onsite Monday through Friday during the six-week summer session and the training period. During that period there is a weekly overnight program on Wednesday nights for which the Director is required to stay. Residential accommodation is available for the Director if that person wishes to live on the property for the summer.

Essential Job Functions:

Camper Supervision

• Ensure camper safety (physical, emotional, & mental)
• Apply basic youth development principles in working with campers through communication, relationship development, respect for diversity, active involvement and empowerment of youth.
• Support staff in the management of camper behaviors, establishing procedures, providing training, appropriate guidance and reinforcement
• Provide quality support that resolves concerns by offering creative solutions in a timely manner.
• Ensure campers receive constant, age-appropriate supervision
• Plan and facilitate age-appropriate camp activities

Camper Engagement

• Uphold and consistently model the Girl Scout Mission & Law
• Be a positive role model for campers and camp staff as an active member of camp community, maintaining positive relationships.
• Demonstrate cultural competence in interacting with campers, staff, caregivers focusing on inclusivity & sense of belonging

Camp Administration

• Program Management
• Train, supervise and support program staff in designing and delivering camp activities aligned with camper age, abilities, and interests.
• Oversee all program activities ensuring smooth operation and timely adjustments when necessary.
• Staff Supervision and Training
• Recruit, interview, onboard and train seasonal staff.
• Supervise staff and develop systems to provide regular feedback, guidance, and end-of-season evaluations to all staff.
• Foster staff growth by serving as a mentor and role model.
• Develop plans for staff schedules, time off, and coverage for staff remaining on property over weekends.
• Operational Support
• Ensure coverage for all areas of camp operations.
• Work with property staff to maintain safe use of camp equipment and facilities.
• Oversee camp administrative tasks such as maintaining records (including those required by accrediting and permitting organizations, completing forms, and monitoring budgets.
• Customer Relations
• Maintain high camper and staff morale by promoting positivity and teamwork.
• Ensure excellent customer service for campers, caregivers, staff, and visitors.
• Act as a primary contact for Camp.

Health & Safety

• Proactively maintain high standards of health and safety in all activities for campers & staff
• Ensure compliance with all policies and procedures set by Girl Scouts of the USA (including Safety Activity Checkpoints), The American Camp Association, New York State Department of Health, etc.
• Ensure work areas & activities are safe and meet all requirements
• Report broken or damaged equipment or other hazards to the appropriate person in a timely manner and take appropriate action to keep others safe.
• Be alert to campers and staff needs and assist them with personal and/or health problems
• Ensure overall camp cleanliness/ upkeep – following Camp policy & protocols
• Identify a chain of command to solve problems and mediate solutions and provide training to ensure all staff can follow it as needed.
• Develop a staffing model to ensure supervision and monitoring of campers and their needs
• Ensure proper health maintenance care, including campers' medication administered by health director

Mentorship & Role Modeling

• Promote & support the principles of the Girl Scout Leadership experience and the core philosophies of GSUSA and GSNENY
• Work collaboratively with year-round staff and the camp team to ensure a positive camp experience for campers, caregivers and staff
• Maintain effective and collaborative working relationships within the camp team using open respectful communication
• Complete assigned tasks as scheduled and communicate any challenges or delays promptly
• Actively participate in trainings, at a satisfactory level to achieve training or certification credit
• Develop a plan for training of all staff and ensure it is completed and documented
• Take initiative, identify areas of need, and complete other duties as assigned
• Participate enthusiastically in all camp activities, and support high expectations for camp staff

Administrative Duties

• Complete logs, daily/weekly reports, and other requirement documentation including staff payroll
• Communicate proactively with supervisor about camper/ program needs, updates, or changes
• Utilize specialized skills in accordance with training and certification (First Aid, CPR, waterfront skills, ropes, archery, etc.)
• Develop verbal and written evaluations and communications for staff, Council leadership, caregivers and regulatory bodies as needed

Other Job Duties as assigned according to the needs of campers and camp programs.

Qualifications: (Minimum Education and Experience)

• To comply with Department of Health requirements for Camp Director qualifications, the incumbent must be 24 years old or older.
• Bachelor’s Degree with a strong understanding of youth programming and leadership development.
• At least 24 weeks of previous administrative or supervisory experience in camping or equivalent experience acceptable to the State Commissioner of Health;
• Knowledge of New York State camp laws and the American Camp Association Standards, ensuring compliance with safety and quality regulations for all programs and camps.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to see the bigger picture, balancing operational needs with the goal of fostering sustained, positive Girl Scout experiences for participants.
• Proven ability to design intentional, mission-driven programming that aligns with the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, empowering girls and gender-expansive youth to build confidence, develop skills, and grow as leaders.
• Experience and training in teaching and facilitating content for both adults and children, creating engaging and impactful learning experiences.
• Current, valid NYS driver’s license.
• Collaborative team player with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams to ensure quality, safe, and engaging experiences for all Girl Scouts.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Windows and MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and the ability to learn and utilize specialized software to manage and report on program outcomes
• CPR for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid Responding to Emergencies or Wilderness First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain
• Youth Mental Health First Aid course, or willingness to obtain
• Must be able to pass criminal and sex-offender background check

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Understanding of the developmental needs of youth
• Ability to interact and provide instruction to campers of all age and skill levels and adults in a positive respectful manner.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skill in camp environment.
• Interest and ability to work with children outdoors.
• Ability to observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior-management techniques.
• Ability to observe staff behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate management techniques.

Physical Aspects of the Job:

• Physical requirements of a camp staff position include: the physical ability to move about camp terrain, and engage in physical activities including prolonged standing, bending, stooping, walking long distances, hiking, climbing, and stretching; requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity to manipulate outdoor equipment; requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to record, prepare, and communicate appropriate camper activities/programs; Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related, and the ability to lift up to 50 lbs.; Physical ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid. Must be able to assist campers in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness, or injury) and possess strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of campers. Staff must be willing to live in a rustic camp setting and work irregular hours with limited or simple equipment and facilities; with daily exposure to the sun, heat, cold, and inclement weather conditions. Summer camp staff may encounter a variety of arachnids, including ticks and spiders, as well as insects like mosquitoes and flies, and other wildlife such as snakes and bats, while working outdoors in natural environments.

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary

Pay: $900.00 - $1,100.00 per week

Benefits:

• Employee assistance program

Work Location: In person

Salary : $900 - $1,100