Connecting Kansas City kids with nature, adventure, and community is what we do best at Wildwood. From our programs to our policies, we value learning, diversity and equity, and stewardship of resources. We believe in the power of camp to enrich kids’ lives, and we remove barriers to summer camp participation by reducing costs, providing transportation, and using a network of neighborhoods and agencies to share information about camp.
Wildwood Outdoor Education Center is seeking a Camp Director to help fulfil our strategic plan and further our mission in the community. Wildwood uses a cross-functional and collaborative approach to planning and delivering our mission. This position focuses on:
- hiring, training and managing a connected and representative seasonal staff; guiding and mentoring staff to build intentional relationships;
- planning and executing excellent overnight camp experiences to achieve social-emotional learning and youth development outcomes;
- designing and leading year-round opportunities for campers to learn, connect and grow;
- and building strong connections with camp families and partner organizations to increase retention of campers.
The position requires living and working on-site at our camp in La Cygne, KS during summer months (June to August). We are open to a variety of living and working locations and arrangements outside of the summer months. Family housing is available year-round.
Responsibilities will include:
Building Seasonal Staff Culture
- Recruit, interview and hire a representative seasonal staff to operate summer camp and teach and guide campers ages 8-18.
- Develop and execute seasonal staff training in partnership with Program Manager and Facilities Director.
- Oversee seasonal staff and build a supportive and camper-focused camp culture; successfully resolve conflict and manage performance using trauma-informed approaches.
- Design and execute workplace activities and procedures that increase staff satisfaction and retention.
Designing and Leading Summer Programming
- Create comprehensive and culturally responsive summer programming for overnight camp and leadership development building on existing concepts.
- Successful programming will strengthen campers’ social-emotional learning, and focus on camper fun, programmatic progression, and environmental literacy.
- Successful programming will use the lenses of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB), as well as trauma-informed care to support campers and build the camp community.
- Successful programming will strengthen the four-year leadership progression for high school students and increase the staff development pipeline.
- Oversee execution of summer programming in compliance with American Camp Association standards, local requirements and other organizational policies.
- Partner with camper families and caregivers to determine the best courses of action for campers who need extra support.
- Develop and deploy camper retention efforts to increase year-over-year retention of campers.
Increasing and Strengthening Community Partnerships
- Identify, cultivate, and formalize new inclusive partnerships with relevant community organizations.
- Strengthen existing partnerships (local schools, youth organizations, neighborhood development associations, etc.).
- Invite and involve community partners who serve families representative of the diversity of Kansas City.
This position requires at least 3 years of camp experience (camper, CIT or staff) and 1-3 years of professional experience supervising staff in any relevant environment. A successful candidate will have experience planning and executing programs for youth, hiring and firing staff, cultivating a sense of belonging for all, and building inclusive community relationships.
Preferred qualifications include prior experience working in a school, youth agency, or organization serving a high percentage of low-income children and teens; experience or training in mental health and crisis response; and training or education in trauma-informed care.
A Bachelor’s degree is preferred, but not required. Candidates should possess a demonstrated passion for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
We offer a flexible schedule, 100% paid employee health insurance, life insurance and short- and long-term disability and a starting annual salary between $50,000 and $60,000 for a full-time, year-round director. The work location is variable during the school-year and can include a mix of working onsite and working from home.
We offer a 3% match on employee retirement contributions to our SIMPLE IRA at one year of service.
Wildwood provides 15 days of paid vacation for new employees increasing to 20 days at 5 years of service. We provide two floating holidays annually and generous paid holidays including a full week where the office is closed in December/January.
To apply, follow this link.
Wildwood Outdoor Education Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and seeks diversity in candidates for employment. EEO Employer W/M/Vet/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity
