Summer Camp Administrative Staff

Since its founding in 1877, The Fresh Air Fund, a not-for-profit youth development organization, has provided free life-changing summer experiences in the outdoors to more than 1.8 million children from New York City’s underserved communities. Young people also participate in year-round leadership, career exploration and educational programs. For more information, visit www.FreshAir.org. 

Summer camp administration staff supervise staff, plan programs, and support the overall culture of camp. Administrative staff participate in a two week leadership, supervisory, and facilitation orientation. Administrative staff have the opportunity to create culture at camp through facilitating general staff orientation and providing support for camp staff.

Roles include:

• Assistant Camp Director
• Program Director (events planner)
• Director of Specialists (teacher supervisor)
• Village Leader (staff and camper support and supervision)
• Counselor In Training Director (works with teens supporting them as they become staff)
• And more!

General responsibilities:

Responsibilities 

• Responsible for directly supervising a group of camp staff of up 15
• Plan and supervise activities 
• Guide and evaluate counselors and run staff meetings.  
• Assume responsibility for the safety and well-being of campers.  
• Maintain active communication with fellow administrators, counselors, campers and parents.  
• Demonstrate and role model positive camper behavior management techniques for their staff and assist with camper-camper and camper-counselor behavioral issues/conflicts that may arise. 
• Work with Camper Support Services Liaison to provide counselors with behavior management skills and extra support for campers.    
• Explain and enforce the policies, traditions, and rules of camp.  
• Be an active member of the camp community by participating in camp programming including camp-wide events, overnights, hikes, swimming, activities, and village meetings. This includes but is not limited to: going on hikes in the woods on camp property and going in the water during swimming activities. At times, lifting heavy objects may be necessary.  
• Demonstrate a caring, supportive, and professional demeanor, including avoiding fraternizing with general staff while on/off duty.  
• Be present at all village activities and assist the Camp Director with all camp activities.  
• Maintain open communication between counselors and the administration.  
• Address stressful situations appropriately in a fast-paced, interactive environment.  
• Prepare and submit reports, staff evaluations, and inventories as requested.  
• Understand that campers come first, and decisions should be made in the best interest of the campers.  
• Strive to work in a cooperative manner with fellow staff to achieve the goals of the program.  
• Invest time with campers and staff to meet their needs, challenge their capabilities, and serve as a role model during their time at camp.   
• Understand that the position involves living in cabins with little to no privacy and eating all meals with campers in a large, noisy dining room. Time off during each encampment will be arranged by a supervisor.  
• Assume responsibility for the use and care of camp equipment and facilities.  
• Be totally familiar with emergency procedures and follow them when necessary.  
• Additional responsibilities as needed and assigned. 

Qualifications 

• Must be at least 18 years of age by the start of camp.  
• At least three years of college or equivalent is preferred.
• Must be able to supervise in a fair and diplomatic manner.   
• Passionate about working with children.   
• Interested in working and living outdoors for the summer.  
• Emotionally mature with a willingness to work as a team player.   
• Flexible and willing to accept challenges and step outside comfort zone.   
• Able to maintain a positive attitude.  
• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop or kneel, talk or hear.  
• Able to regularly lift and/or move equipment and supplies weighing 20+ pounds.   
• Comfortable with being exposed to wet, humid, and hot/very hot conditions.  
• Available for the entire duration of the summer program. 

The Fresh Air Fund requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or to apply for reasonable accommodation. 

Employment Period: June 9, 2024 — August 17, 2024 

Compensation: The salary range is $3,000 - $3,300, commensurate with experience. 

Benefits: None 
 

Application Instructions 

To apply, please submit a Village Leader/Head Counselor application. We are hiring on a rolling basis and encourage interested applicants to apply as early as possible. No calls or recruiters, please.  

The Fresh Air Fund is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusive hiring, and dedicated to diversity in its work and on its staff. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, experiences, orientations, and communities to apply.