Specialty CAMPS UNIT LEADER - Summer Camp

SPECIALTY CAMPS UNIT LEADER - Summer Camp 2026

Seasonal role from June - August 2026 supporting the Y, a leading nonprofit organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

The Specialty Camps Unit Leader is responsible for the overall day-to-day operations of the Specialty Camps Unit, which serves campers entering grades 5-9 with onsite and offsite programs. This includes managing and evaluating counselors, camper behavior management, administrative tasks, curriculum development and delivery, vendor communications and reservations, and parent communication. The Unit Leader also serves as a member of the senior staff team and is charged with high-level leadership across the entire camp operation.

• Provide all campers, staff, and families with a high quality camp experience through excellent, timely customer service.
• Supervise all Specialty Camps counselors and conduct regular verbal check-ins and formal written coaching.
• Assign cabins and distribute camper information forms.
• Actively supervise staff throughout the day and be present in the Unit during free-time, lunch, and skill class sign-up.
• Enforce all child abuse prevention policies and coach staff throughout the summer.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Camp Director to develop lesson plans and curricula for specialty camps.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Camp Director and Director of Camping Services to deliver specialty camp specific trainings for staff.
• Manage reservations and communicate with offsite vendors.
• Maintain timely and thorough communications with camp office staff.
• Communicate with parents regarding camper behavior issues, working with the Camp Director, Assistant Director, and Youth Development Coordinator to set behavior contracts as needed.
• Ensure communication logs are completed in a timely manner using Camp Brain software.
• Ensure units (cabins, buildings, equipment) are maintained to a high standard and communicate facility needs to the Facilities Coordinator.
• Effectively run bi-weekly meetings with Specialty Camps counselors.
• Remain calm during an emergency and ensure staff team is timely and accurate during drills and emergencies.
• Assist with special events and summer fundraising campaigns.
• Lead essential training sessions during Staff Training week and Senior Staff Retreat.
• Build positive relationships with campers, parents, caregivers, counselors, and other senior staff to provide a high level experience to all.
• Provide effective and timely communication to the Camp Director/Assistant Director and Senior Unit Leader.
• Adhere to policies related to boundaries with consumers.
• Attend required abuse risk management training.
• Adhere to procedures related to managing high-risk activities and supervising consumers.
• Report suspicious or inappropriate behaviors and policy violations and follow mandated abuse reporting requirements.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Minimum of 3 years leadership and childcare experience.
• Teaching, facilitating, team-building experience preferred.
• Supervisory and staff development experience preferred.
• Prior experience working with children preferred.
• Familiarity with various outdoor activities.
• Strong working knowledge of computers and common programs such as Word and Excel.
• Administrative experience.
• Ability to effectively delegate responsibilities and support team members.
• Ability to handle sensitive, confidential information.
• Energetic and positive personality.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to stay calm in stressful situations.
• Ability to respond to critical incidents and act swiftly in emergencies.
• Must complete YMCA required training as scheduled by management.
• Must maintain updated certifications (CPR and First Aid/AED).
• Must successfully clear FBI and state criminal background checks.

• Ability to sit, stand or walk for long periods of time.
• Ability to lift up to 50lbs.
• Ability to push, pull, bend and kneel regularly.
• Ability to communicate verbally (in-person and on phone) and in writing.
• Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical situations and act swiftly in an emergency.
• Ability to view and enter data on computer for long periods of time.

Southern District YMCA is an Equal Opportunities employer and embraces diversity in its employee population. It is the policy of SDYMCA to provide equal opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.