Summer Day Camp Course Director - Camp Chickami

Summer Day Camp Challenge Course Director - Camp Chickami

Join to apply for the Summer Day Camp Challenge Course Director role at West Suburban YMCA | Newton, MA.

Camp Chickami is a traditional summer day camp located in Wayland, MA. Founded in 1955, the camp has inspired kids with countless opportunities to laugh, lead, and make lasting friendships. The proven programs and trained counselors deliver meaningful and memorable camp experiences that keep families coming back year after year.

Position Summary

The Challenge Course Director is responsible for the recruitment, planning, management, licensing, and implementation of all Challenge Course Elements at Camp Chickami, including summer camp and spring, summer, and fall rental groups. The Director will oversee High Ropes, Low Ropes, Climbing Tower, team‑building, and outdoor education programming that allow campers to achieve group goals while challenging themselves. The position is part‑time in spring and fall and full‑time in the summer.

Housing is not included; applicants must have access to their own transportation.

Our Culture

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. We strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming, genuine, hopeful, nurturing, and determined, dedicating ourselves to make our community stronger beginning with you.

• Maintain safety standards and procedures in the field and is accountable for the assigned equipment care and use.
• Oversee licensing of courses with the Office of Public Safety and Inspection.
• Coordinate curriculum and programming for team building and ropes activities for camp and rental groups.
• Lead in‑service training for course facilitators as needed.
• Coordinate 1st generation training with ACCT‑recognized trainers as needed.
• Have an appreciation for the outdoors.
• Facilitate ice breakers, initiatives, and reflection for a variety of groups including youth, students, campers, and adults.
• Maintain course and equipment according to Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) standards.
• Monitor safety procedures for both high and low elements of the challenge course program according to ACCT and ACA standards.
• Update and maintain applicable documentation and records as required (SOPs, LOPs, Rope Use Logs, Equipment Logs, Maintenance Logs, Near‑Miss Logs, Belay Certification Logs, Daily Inspection Logs, Equipment Inventory Sheets, etc.).
• Continuously be conscious of safety concerns and always enforce safety guidelines, ensuring a safe environment, both physically and emotionally, for all participants and staff.
• Keep up to date on relevant laws, regulations, operating standards, and best industry practices.
• Responsible for daily set‑up and takedown of elements when courses are scheduled for use.
• Follow all YMCA policies, rules, regulations, and procedures, including emergency and safety procedures.
• Demonstrate and teach the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility to all campers and staff.
• Actively participate and complete all staff meetings and training as scheduled.
• Help with all camp activities and participate as a member of the camp staff team.
• Actively support our DEIB statement and put into practice our commitment to equity, diversity, belonging, and inclusion, continually thinking about strategies to support diversity goals of the organization.

• Minimum of 4 years’ experience leading groups on a high and low ropes element, challenge course, team building, etc.
• Must have access to private transportation.
• Proven technical skills in the set‑up and use of top‑rope belay systems in an outdoor setting.
• Demonstrated experience administering risk‑management practices for adventure programs.
• Capable of responding appropriately to emergencies and situations requiring first aid and/or CPR.
• Ability to handle assignments with minimal instruction and supervision.
• First Aid and CPR certifications.
• ACCT‑recognized Challenge Course certification.
• Willingness to accept responsibilities and duties other than those assigned.
• Commitment to support and further our anti‑racist work as an organization, learning about…