Summer Camp Director

YWCA CAMBRIDGE CHILD CARE SERVICES

INTERNAL and EXTERNAL JOB POSTING

Application Deadline: December 20, 2024

Please be advised of the following job posting:

Position: Summer Camp Director

Start Date: January 2025

Status: 8-month contract per year (Jan-Sept); permanent

For September to December- possibility of supporting the child care department for extension of hours to cover department needs (this may be 4 months of on-call).

Location:  6 Cambridge Street, 450 Avenue Road and Head Office

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, 40 hours per week in July and August

Rate: To be discussed with candidate based on years of camp experience

SUMMER CAMP DIRECTOR

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY: The YWCA Day Camp Director works in partnership with the Director of Child Care Service, Behaviour and Inclusion Supervisor and all camp staff to carry out the YWCA mission, vision and values as they relate to day camp. Overseeing an outdoor camp and an indoor camp.

Responsibility:

Recruit, orient and train all day camp staff.

Duties:

1. Conduct all camp related employment and volunteer interviews. Complete all reference checks.
2. Develop and implement orientation training for camp staff and volunteers. Set up and maintain personnel files.
3. Supervise staff and volunteers on a daily basis, including conflict resolution, and providing one-to-one feedback halfway through the summer and again at the end of the summer (i.e., performance reviews).
4. Plan for and facilitate two staff meetings throughout the summer for all camp staff.
5. Demonstrate leadership to staff, volunteers and campers in all areas including a high quality, safe camp experience, partnering with outside agencies with professionalism.
6. Ensure adherence to YWCA Personnel and Camp Policies and Procedures and Health and Safety practices.
7. Hire, train and supervise Assistant Camp Director and Camp Supervisor.

Responsibility:

Responsible for ensuring a high quality day camp program for individuals and groups.

Duties:

1. Manage and coordinate daily camp operations, including staff supervision and scheduling.
2. Manage and keep up-to-date of the communication/registration software platform. Which includes building and creating application forms, waivers, policies and any revisions that need to be made.
3. Ensure that all records and reports are maintained as necessary for program tracking and evaluation.
4. Monitor staff program plans and implementation.
5. Be familiar with and adhere to YWCA policies and procedures as they apply to camp.
6. Provide counsellors with resources related to their roles and duties.
7. Collaborate with staff to set goals for the summer and develop strategies to achieve these.
8. Setting up, maintaining and being responsible for the appearance of all building rental spaces at GRCA and Wesley United Church, i.e. keeping them organized and clean.
9. Set-up of our camp to meet the developmental and well-being needs of children.

1. ensuring enough activities are available to keep the children needs met.
2. calm down areas for self-regulation.
9. Provide support to camper groups as needed.
10. Work in tandem and in collaboration with Behaviour and inclusion supervisor to ensure the best outcomes for all children with challenging behaviour and special needs.

Responsibility:

Manage duties related to budget, registration and camp equipment/storage.

Duties

1. Liaise with the Director of Child Care Services to work within the approved Day Camp budget.
2. Send all necessary paperwork to the Director of Finance.
3. Maintain fee ledger and meet with the auditor for inspection.
4. Review, evaluate, and maintain camp inventory.
5. Purchase all necessary camp supplies and equipment.
6. Maintain and ensure accessibility of storage unit (organizing and decluttering).
7. Set up and organize moving day and all it entails.
8. Collect and record weekly fees in a timely manner, using fee collection software.
9. Maintain accurate records for subsidies.
10. Meet with the Director of Child Care Services weekly to discuss fees and enrollment.
11. Respond to all inquiries regarding camp.
12. Maintain and monitor a waiting list for spaces.

Responsibility:

Develop positive and supportive communications and relationships with the children, parents, all camp staff, coworkers and the Director of Child Care Services.

Duties:

1. Prepare a written report (including occupancy) twice throughout the summer.
2. Develop procedures to keep parents informed and up to date about the camp program.
3. Provide leadership to parents and counselors in providing for children’s special needs.
4. Liaise with Shades Mill staff to build a strong partnership and site superintendant.
5. Foster a commitment to the YW
6. Liaise with all parents and guardians.
7. Send out end-of-year parent survey.

Responsibility:

Maintain community relationships and regional compliancies.

1. Promote the YWCA and the day camp program in the community.
2. Continue and maintain relationship with the YMCA. Work with coordinating camp staff training in collaboration with the YMCA (including boating training and inclusion training.
3. Attend meetings with the Region of Waterloo Camp Compliancy group and meet all compliance requirements.
4. Maintain High Five membership and certificates. Communicate with High Five staff members to update organizational staff profile.
5. Continue and maintain relationship with GRCA and all site personnel. Meet with GRCA staff to set up expectations of GRCA agreement and programming. Coordinate location sites of buses and boating equipment. Work closely with them to ensure the safety of all campers.

Accountability

Accountable to the Director of Child Care Services and CEO.

Experience

• Experience running a summer day camp at a capacity of over 100 children per week.
• Experience programming for children 4 – 12 years of age.
• Experience working with children with challenging behaviour and special needs.
• Experience overseeing and managing a team.
• Boating experience and/or waterfront training is an asset.

Skills

• A high level of skill required in collaboration, supervision, organization, time management, teamwork and behaviour management.
• Demonstrated skill or interest in movement, art, outdoor/nature, and a desire to bring out the best in others.
• Establish positive relationships with children of all different needs and backgrounds.
• Adaptable, flexible, reliable, strong work ethic, and goal oriented.
• Must have high conflict resolution skills.
• Outgoing, energetic, professional and overall positive outlook.
• Ability to recognize others’ learning styles and adapt accordingly.
• Working understanding of the use of technology and software such as Microsoft products/Office Suite.
• A valid driver’s license with access to a vehicle is required.

Other Requirements

• Clear, current Criminal reference check.
• Valid Standard first aid and CPR certificate.
• Obtain HIGH FIVE Principles of Healthy Child Development, Quest 1 and 2 certificate. 
• Must be comfortable swimming and boating (canoeing, kayaking etc.)
• Must obtain waterfront training in 2025.
• Be open to obtaining further waterfront education and certifications in future.
• Needing to be flexible in working hours between 7:00am to 6:00pm.