Minis Camp Lead Instructor

About Pingry
The Pingry School, a prestigious K-12 coeducational, independent day school with a rich history dating back to its founding by Dr. John F. Pingry in 1861, stands at the forefront of academic excellence in the United States. With campuses located in Basking Ridge, Pottersville, and Short Hills, New Jersey, Pingry is celebrated for its academic programs, a student-written Honor Code that underpins our community values, and a comprehensive commitment to arts, athletics, community, and civic engagement. Our mission is to inspire in our students a lifelong passion for learning, personal development, and social responsibility, preparing them to be global citizens and luminaries of the 21st century. Rooted in relationships and guided by our foundational philosophy, Pingry is a vibrant community of more than 1,200 students hailing from over 90 towns across New Jersey and New York. At Pingry, we are united by a love of learning and a commitment to preparing students to navigate the complexities of the 21st century with confidence and integrity. For more information, we invite you to visit our website at pingry.org or connect with The Pingry School on our social media channels to discover why we love school.

About Pingry Summer: Where Excellence Meets Adventure
Pingry Summer is more than just a camp; it is a vibrant “third semester” where the excellence of The Pingry School’s academic and athletic traditions meets the high-energy spirit of summer exploration. Spanning three picturesque campuses in Basking Ridge, Short Hills, and Pottersville, Pingry Summer offers a diverse portfolio of over 100 programs from signature day camps and elite athletics to transformative arts and academic enrichment.

As an employer, we are committed to fostering a culture of belonging, honor, and intellectual curiosity. We believe the best summers are built by a team that is as dedicated to camper safety and compliance as it is to fun and friendship. Joining Pingry Summer means becoming part of a prestigious educational legacy while working in a dynamic, supportive environment where every staff member, from counselor to coordinator, plays a vital role in creating unforgettable experiences for our community.

Position Description: Minis Camp Lead Instructor

Status: Seasonal (June 15th – August 7th)
Location: Basking Ridge, NJ
Compensation: $7,000 – $9,000 (Final compensation will be determined based on experience and education.)
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM | Includes required training week

The Candidate Profile
We are looking for an Early Childhood expert who understands that for our 3- and 4-year-old campers, "the small things are the big things." The ideal Lead Instructor is a nurturing, highly organized educator who can create a "school-away-from-school" environment that feels safe, predictable, and magical. You are a natural leader who can mentor young staff, helping them navigate the unique challenges of early childhood with grace and professional poise. You thrive on routine but have the creativity to pivot when a rainy day or a tired group requires a change of pace.

Position Summary
The Minis Camp Lead Instructor is the primary architect of the classroom experience for our youngest campers. Reporting to the Minis Camp Director, this role ensures a nurturing, age-appropriate, and high-safety environment. You are responsible for both the "macro" (planning the weekly flow) and the "micro" (coaching staff on individual child support), serving as the bridge between the program’s vision and its daily execution.

Core Accountabilities

Early Childhood Program Leadership

• Plan and execute daily routines, sensory activities, and play-based learning specifically aligned to the developmental needs of 3- and 4-year-olds.
• Maintain a classroom environment that meets the highest standards of organization, cleanliness, and safety.
• Act as the primary liaison for "specials" (Art, Movement, Pool, Sports), ensuring that transitions to and from these activities are calm, supervised, and timely.

Staff Mentorship & Team Management

• Lead and support the Minis counselor staff, modeling positive behavior supports and professional early childhood engagement.
• Ensure all staff members in the classroom adhere to supervision ratios and maintain professional communication.
• Monitor staff performance and provide real-time feedback to ensure consistent care for all campers.

Safety

• Proactively raise concerns regarding child behavior, health, or safety to the Minis Camp Director.
• Manage the arrival and dismissal routines for the Minis group, ensuring a warm welcome and a secure hand-off to parents.

Required Qualifications

• Early Childhood Expertise: Experience working with 3–5-year-olds in a school, camp, or licensed childcare setting is required.
• Leadership Ability: Proven experience leading other adults in a structured environment; ability to delegate tasks while maintaining classroom harmony.
• Calm Problem-Solving: The ability to remain patient and creative in a high-energy, "youth-heavy" environment.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written skills for high-touch parent communication.

Required Clearances

• Compliance Hub: You will work with the Summer Employment Operations Manager to complete all digital onboarding and payroll setup via ADP.
• Clearances: Successful completion of all background checks, fingerprinting, and NJ Sexual Misconduct/Child Abuse Disclosure releases.
• Training: Full attendance at the pre-camp training week (beginning June 15th) is mandatory for this leadership role.

Required Onboarding

• You will be required to work with the Summer Employment Operations Manager to complete all digital onboarding via ADP.
• Successful completion of background checks, fingerprinting (if applicable), and NJ Sexual Misconduct/Child Abuse Disclosure releases.
• All current certifications must be uploaded and verified by the Operations Coordinator prior to your first day on the stand.
• Minors (under 18) must provide valid A300 working papers with all required signatures.

Qualified candidates are invited to apply online at https://www.pingry.org/careers. 

Final compensation will be determined based on experience and education. 

Pingry offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees, including, but not limited to, medical, dental, and vision coverage; retirement plans with employer matching; life and disability insurance; tuition remission for employees' children; and access to wellness and professional development resources.

A full list of benefits is available at www.pingry.org/careers.