Summer Camp Manager

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Summer Camp Manager creates positive outdoor experiences for youth, overseeing all aspects of Blandford Nature Center’s licensed camp operations. While providing excellent customer service to our camp families, the Camp Manager supervises camp educators and camp administrative staff. The ideal candidate for this position will have past leadership experience in youth programming (preferably camp) and experience overseeing a team.

This position is seasonal, starting in April in preparation for the Summer camp season and continues through the end of August.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversee the planning, preparation, and day-to-day operations of Blandford’s Summer Day Camp Program, in conjunction with the Program Manager

• Establish a camp community that fosters responsibility, teambuilding and social development

• Maintain BNC and Michigan State licensing standards of safety, care and well-being for all camp participants and staff

• Maintain all records necessary for camp licensing

• Maintain camp registration system for all camp programs in coordination with other department managers

• Serve as the BNC liaison for all camp program inquiries and concerns

• Ensure effective and timely correspondence with camp families before, during and after camp experiences

• Assist in hiring and on-boarding new camp staff

• Create and deliver week-long camp staff training

• Supervise and provide on-the-ground support to all camp staff in maintaining a high-quality camp experience

• Drives rental van containing campers and staff to an off-site day camp field trip

• May drive property perimeter in case of Emergency protocol

• Provide instructional guidance/methodologies to staff on appropriate camp program delivery techniques

• Maintain and adhere to all camp budgets

• Work with identified community partners to increase camp accessibility in collaboration with Leadership Team

• Conduct and collect demographic and camper satisfaction evaluations on a routine basis

• Prepare summary reports at end of camp season

• Ensure systems are in place for the maintenance and storage of camp equipment, supplies and facilities

• Support BNC leaders to promote the importance of DEI to the Center’s mission

• Maintain positive work environment for and relationships with colleagues, staff, and volunteers

Required Qualifications:

• Previous camp or youth programming operations experience: minimum eight weeks working a setting with similar population served and minimum four weeks in admin/supervisory role

• Excellent judgment and reliability

• Highly collaborative work style; capable of implementing goals and delegating responsibilities while fostering cooperation and consensus

• Ability to work effectively and efficiently with all Blandford Nature Center staff and volunteers

• Ability to work effectively in the outdoors, in all types of weather and over uneven terrain

• Ability to communicate calmly, clearly, and concisely with all staff, volunteers, campers and their families

• Positive, compassionate and energetic role model in attitude and behavior for all staff, volunteers, and campers

• Exceptional organizational skills, ability to multitask, and high degree of flexibility

• Excellent computer skills and competency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace

• Minimum age of 24 for the purpose of driving rental vehicles for camper event transportation

• Valid Driver’s License and clean driving record

• Clearance from criminal and state licensing background checks, according to Blandford Nature Center policy prior to start of employment

• Certification in Adult and Child CPR/First Aid (provided during mandatory training, if needed) and/or Wilderness First Aid

• Availability to work throughout the entire summer camp season, from May 25-August 14, with a 4-day weekend for time off July 2-5

• Ability to work two evenings (May 29, August 6) and one Saturday (May 30)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in youth development, outdoor recreation, parks and recreation management, education, the sciences, or social services-related field

• Familiarity with outdoor risk management principles

• Prior experience working with camp registration platforms (UltraCamp, Doubleknot, Camp Brain, etc.)

• Experience working with communities from diverse backgrounds and cultures

• Ability to speak the Spanish language

Studies have shown that women, non-binary folks, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color are much less likely to apply for a position unless they feel they meet every qualification as described. We are committed to finding the best overall candidate. If you meet all the required qualifications, please consider the breadth of your life experiences when reviewing the list of additional preferred qualifications.

Physical Responsibilities:

While performing the duties of this job, the staff member is regularly required to sit, stand and bend for extended periods of time. The staff member occasionally must be able to move up to 50 pounds and must also be able to work outdoors in a variety of conditions; including extreme temperatures and maneuver over wet, brushy, muddy, steep trail surfaces and uneven terrain.

Compensation:

The schedule for the Summer Camp Manager is 40 hours per week, generally Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm., and includes one Saturday (May 30) and two evenings (May 29 and August 6). The position pays $19.00 per hour.

***REQUIRED***

● Submit cover letter and resume when applying for this position

● List three (3) professional references (and NOT three personal references)

Interviews will begin as qualified application packages are received. Please note that due to Blandford Nature Center’s closure over the holidays, application screening will start in January 2026. Interviewing will include an initial phone screening followed by an in-person interview for those applicants selected. The interview process may take several weeks.