Camp Director

Summary

About the Fiver Children’s Foundation

Fiver is not a typical after-school program or summer camp. Through a one-of-a-kind ten-year commitment, Fiver provides transformational experiences and builds nurturing relationships with youth from systemically under-resourced communities in New York so that they can create their own positive futures.  We take a thoughtful, personalized approach to building respectful peer relationships, developing the social, emotional, and life skills that lead to positive decision-making and outcomes for youth, and fostering positive relationships. 

Position Overview

The Camp Director is a full-time, year-round leadership position responsible for leading the planning and operation of Camp Fiver, and ensuring the summer experience is safe, engaging and aligned with Fiver’s broader youth development approach. Success requires strong operational management, visible and relationship-driven leadership, sound judgment, accountability, empathy, and a strong belief in young people’s potential. 
 

Qualifications

• Must meet New York State Department of Health minimum qualifications for an overnight camp director, which require either a bachelor’s degree or being at least 25 years of age 
• 7+ years of leadership experience in overnight camping, youth development, education, recreation, nonprofit management, or a related field; overnight camp leadership strongly preferred.
• Experience supervising, coaching, and developing staff.
• Experience with camp operations, compliance, risk management, or accreditation; familiarity with NYS children’s camp requirements and American Camp Association standards preferred.
• Strong knowledge of positive youth development and behavior-management practices.
• Strong organizational, communication, and decision-making skills, including the ability to manage complex priorities and remain calm and accountable in high-pressure situations.
• Commitment to creating an inclusive environment where youth and staff feel respected, supported, and valued.

Duties

Camp Program Planning & Operations

• Develop and manage the annual camp operations calendar, including staffing, training, programming, compliance, facilities preparation, and opening/closing procedures.
• Oversee development of camp schedules, programs, and curricula.
• In partnership with the Deputy Executive Director, ensure programming is developmentally appropriate, engaging, adequately staffed and aligned with Fiver’s youth development goals and character attributes.
• Partner with Fiver’s year-round program team to ensure continuity of support for youth.
• Manage the camp operating budget
• Coordinate with staff and vendors to ensure essential operations are ready for opening day.
• Oversee kitchen operations and ensure required documentation and meal standards are met
• Support the Director of Operations with registration, including new camper interviews, orientations, and communications regarding camper expectations and procedures.

Safety & Compliance

• Manage Department of Health and American Camp Association accreditation permitting, inspections, documentation and reporting.
• Oversee and manage emergency procedures, safety plan and emergency response. 
• Partner with health staff and communicate with families regarding serious behavioral or health concerns.

Seasonal Staff Recruitment, Hiring & Training

• In partnership with the Human Resource Manager, develop the seasonal staffing plan and lead recruitment, hiring, onboarding and preparation.
• In partnership with the Deputy Executive Director, develop and lead pre-camp training covering camper supervision, mandated reporting, behavior management, emergency procedures, health and safety, inclusion, professional boundaries, and Fiver’s youth development approach.
• Build a strong staff culture and lead staff coaching and evaluation, in partnership with human resources.

Summer Camp Leadership

• Serve as the senior on-site leader, maintaining a visible and engaged presence throughout camp.
• Lead and supervise the seasonal leadership team
• Coordinate daily operations across programming, health and food services, waterfront, transportation, and facilities.
• Monitor camper supervision, staff performance, program quality, safety, and Fiver culture.
• In partnership with the Deputy Executive Director, lead responses to serious or escalating behavioral concerns, including intervention, family communication, or possible dismissal; ensure significant incidents are promptly communicated and documented.

Organizational Leadership

• Supervise the full-time Camp Manager and delegate camp planning responsibilities.
• Contribute to organizational planning and goals as a member of the Leadership Team
• Represent Camp Fiver with families, partners, regulatory agencies, vendors, volunteers, visitors, and other stakeholders.
• Provide regular updates on camp readiness, staffing, compliance, facilities, programming, risks, and support year-round organizational events as appropriate. 

Schedule & Camp Residency

From September through May, the Camp Director is based in Fiver’s New York City office in midtown Manhattan. From late May through August, the Camp Director resides on-site at Camp Fiver in Poolville, New York.  
Summer responsibilities include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and on-call responsibilities.