Summer and Family Program Director

Applications will be accepted through November 6, 2026.

Are you passionate about creating memorable experiences, developing staff, and helping young people thrive? Camp U-Nah-Li-Ya is looking for a Summer and Family Program Director who is ready to bring energy, leadership, creativity, and a love of the outdoors to our camp community.

WHY YOU'LL LOVE WORKING HERE

• Private on-site housing provided

• Eligible for the Y's full benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, and retirement

• Opportunity to lead and develop a dynamic seasonal team

• A unique work environment that combines leadership, outdoor adventure, and meaningful community impact

• The chance to create experiences and traditions that campers and families remember for years

• Salary: $49,000–$56,000 per year

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Camp Director, the Summer and Family Program Director plans, organizes, and implements summer camp programs, trip programs, and year-round family programs in alignment with Camp U-Nah-Li-Ya’s mission, policies, and safety standards. The role oversees the respective day-to-day program operations by managing scheduling, ensuring program quality, coordinating transportation, supporting camper behavior management, maintaining accreditation compliance, and facilitating parent communication. This position actively engages with campers, families and staff in both outdoor environments and in the camp office and supports programming practices across Camping Services, including collaboration with the outdoor education team.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Maintain safe program environments by monitoring camper and staff behavior, enforcing safety procedures, and modeling YMCA risk-management practices to ensure the physical and emotional well-being of all participants.

• Recruit, hire, onboard, train, develop, engage, and retain summer camp team members—including counselors, trip staff, program staff, and assistant directors, so that staff are fully prepared and supported to deliver high-quality camp experiences.

• Collaborate with the Camp Director to monitor budgets, track expenditures, and align programming with financial goals to ensure responsible resource stewardship and sustainable program growth.

• Respond to emergencies by assessing situations, providing appropriate first response, documenting incidents, and implementing preventative measures to ensure rapid, effective, and compliant safety action.

• Build and maintain positive relationships with staff, campers, and parents by providing consistent communication and support to create an inclusive and connected camp community.

• Lead marketing efforts for summer and family programs by developing and contributing to events, brochure, social media, website updates, and outreach activities to ensure accurate information and strong visibility for Camping Services.

• Design and implement innovative and engaging program activities by incorporating camper input, trends, and best practices to provide a competitive and memorable camp experience.

• Assist fundraising initiatives by preparing program materials, supporting donor events, and participating in fundraising activities to strengthen financial support for Camping Services.

• Plan, prepare, staff, and lead summer and family programs by coordinating logistics and evaluating program delivery to ensure consistent quality and positive participant outcomes.

• Communicate clearly and proactively with parents and guests through emails, surveys, and welcome materials to ensure families feel informed, supported, and connected to the camp experience.

• Develop, update, and implement policies and procedures aligned with ACA accreditation and state licensing requirements to ensure full compliance and operational excellence.

• Prepare itineraries, coordinate logistics, and oversee trip staff for overnight tripping programs to ensure safe, organized, and enriching wilderness experiences.

• Support Outdoor Education programs by filling staffing gaps and assisting with program delivery to ensure continuity of service and program quality.

• Lead and oversee the total cleanup of camp after each program by coordinating staff and resources to ensure facilities are restored and prepared for the next group.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING (QUALIFICATIONS)

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Recreation Management or Business Management preferred.

• 2–4 years of experience in camping services programming.

• Strong critical-thinking and workload-prioritization skills.

• Excellent phone, in-person, and written communication skills tailored to diverse audiences.

• Proficiency with spreadsheets, word processing, and the ability to quickly learn software platforms.

• Knowledge of ACA and Aquatic safety standards.

• CPR, First Aid, and AED certification required; lifeguard certification preferred. (training provided).

• Valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record and boating license required.

WHAT WILL HELP YOU THRIVE IN THIS ROLE

Accountability: You take ownership of your work, follow through on commitments, communicate challenges, and hold yourself and others to high standards.

Relationship Building: You enjoy connecting with people and can build authentic, positive relationships with campers, families, and staff.

Resilience: Camp is exciting, fast-paced, and sometimes unpredictable. You can stay composed, adapt to changing needs, and remain solutions-focused.

Vision: You understand how day-to-day decisions contribute to the bigger picture and look for opportunities to continuously strengthen Camping Services.

Communication: You communicate clearly and respectfully, listen actively, and adjust your communication style based on your audience.

Empathy: You recognize and respond to the perspectives and emotions of others with care and patience, helping create an inclusive and emotionally safe environment.

Innovation: You bring creativity and problem-solving to programs and processes and look for new ways to enhance the camper experience.

Program & Project Management: You can coordinate people, timelines, resources, and logistics while keeping multiple priorities moving forward.

Critical Thinking: You analyze situations, identify root causes, and make thoughtful decisions that support safety, quality, and mission-aligned outcomes.

Coaching: You enjoy developing others and providing feedback, guidance, and encouragement that helps staff succeed.

Emotional Intelligence: You understand and manage your own emotions while responding effectively to others, even during challenging situations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to run, hike, boat, bike, swim, and perform a variety of camp activities.

• Ability to lift and move equipment and operate camp tools safely.

• Must crouch, stoop, kneel, and move quickly when responding to emergencies.

• Must be able to lift at least 30 pounds.

• Exposure to extreme heat, cold, and various outdoor weather conditions.

• Required to act as a safety responder and maintain physical fitness to perform emergency duties.

READY TO MAKE CAMP UNFORGETTABLE?

If you're excited about developing staff, creating memorable programs, connecting with families, and helping young people discover what they're capable of, we'd love to hear from you.

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, or qualifications. Additional tasks may be assigned as needed to support organizational goals. Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.