2026 Sports Head - NY & NJ

Kids in the Game•New York, NY

3h•$700 - $850•Onsite

About The Position

TURN YOUR SUMMER INTO SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY – BECOME A SEASONAL SPORTS HEAD WITH KIDS IN THE GAME! Empower Staff, Inspire Campers, and Build a Summer That Matters. Kids in the Game provides unforgettable day camp experiences for hundreds of New York children across Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and now Westchester & Jersey City! When you join the Kids in the Game summer camp leadership cohort, you’ll be part of a dynamic team of Camp Directors, Assistant Directors, and 275+ coaches running outstanding programming at our 13 summer day camps. THE KIDS IN THE GAME SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCE Kids in the Game camps are where sports, creativity, and community come together to shape confident, compassionate, and connected kids. Every summer, our camps across New York City, Westchester & Jersey City bring together diverse groups of children to explore new sports, build friendships, develop positive social skills, and learn how to be part of a team. Our camps offer kids a uniquely designed blend of sports and games, arts and crafts, STEM enrichment, field trips, swim activities, theme weeks, and all-camp special events to make every week the highlight of a child's summer. Each day is fueled by energy, laughter, and belonging. Our team of camp leaders, specialists, and counselors create an environment where every child feels seen, supported, and inspired to try something new. We believe camp is more than a summer activity — it’s a place where kids discover who they are and who they can become. As a Certified B Corporation, we're also on a mission to positively impact the lives of all of our stakeholders - campers, families, staff, community members, and our partners. We’re looking for Sports Heads who want to be positive role models, build emotional intelligence, boost confidence, create inclusive communities, and help bring high-quality camp experiences to kids across NYC, Westchester and Jersey City.. Your Leadership Can Change the Game — Join Kids in the Game This Summer. SPORTS & GAMES SPECIALIST ROLE & KEY TASKS As the Sports Head, you will report directly to the Programming Assistant Director and Camp Leadership Team and serve as the primary leader and decision-maker for all core sports programming at your camp site. You are responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing a high-quality, developmentally appropriate sports program that serves campers Pre-K through middle school, while supporting and coaching Sports & Games Specialists and Camp Counselors. This role is strategic, instructional, and leadership-intensive. The Sports Head owns the structure, quality, safety, and progression of camp sports programming and plays a critical role in staff development, camper experience, and overall camp operations. You must be physically present, highly organized, and confident leading both children and adults in a fast-paced camp environment. Sports Heads are senior leaders and role models who bring Kids in the Game’s core values to life every day while setting the standard for sports instruction, professionalism, and youth development across camp.

Requirements

A candidate who is truly amazing with children!
Possess 2 to 3 years of experience in large group sports instruction, preferably in sport-specific classes and physical education programs
Strong to very strong proficiency in our Core Sports
Whiffle Ball, Soccer, Pickleball, Track & Field, Football, Basketball, and Volleyball
Ability to communicate effectively and maintain positive working relationships with staff, participants, and caregivers
Demonstrate practical scheduling and problem-solving skills in a variety of situations
Authorization to work in the United States.
Up-to-date medical statement / physical exam and TB test documentation must be submitted prior to the camp start date.
You must pass local, state, and national criminal background checks and sex offender registry checks.

Nice To Haves

Advanced PE teacher experience preferred
Being CPR, First Aid and AED certified is a plus.
Knowledge of another language on top of English is a plus

Responsibilities

Positivity: You lead with confidence, energy, and consistency, setting the tone for sports culture across camp. You motivate campers and staff through encouragement, praise, and growth-focused coaching, helping athletes of all levels feel capable and excited to participate. You model enthusiasm and resilience, maintaining a positive presence even during schedule changes, weather challenges, or high-energy camp moments.
Empathy: You demonstrate strong emotional awareness when working with campers of varying ages, abilities, and confidence levels, as well as when supporting staff with different experience levels. You listen actively, coach with patience, and respond thoughtfully to camper frustration, behavioral challenges, or skill-related struggles. You understand that sports are a powerful learning environment and intentionally support social-emotional growth alongside athletic development.
Commitment: You show up prepared, punctual, and fully engaged for all camp days, trainings, planning sessions, and leadership responsibilities. You take ownership of the sports program by proactively planning schedules, lesson progressions, and equipment needs. You consistently follow and enforce safety protocols, Department of Health regulations, and Kids in the Game standards, and you communicate clearly and promptly with camp leadership about any concerns related to campers, staff performance, or program execution.
Ambition: You seek continuous improvement in both sports programming and leadership. You are open to feedback and collaboration with the Programming Assistant Director and Camp Director and actively refine lesson plans, progressions, and instructional strategies. You bring creativity and strategic thinking to sports programming, building skill progressions, special events, and tournaments that elevate the camper experience and push the program forward.
Inclusivity: You intentionally design and oversee sports programming that is welcoming and accessible to all campers, regardless of skill level, background, or prior sports experience. You ensure activities are adaptable, developmentally appropriate, and focused on participation, teamwork, and growth. You model inclusive language, fair play, and respectful competition, reinforcing that sports at camp are for everyone.
Serve as the primary architect of the camp’s core sports program, including Basketball, Soccer, Whiffle Ball, Pickleball/Tennis, Volleyball, Football, and Track & Field
Build and manage daily and weekly sports schedules for all camper age groups
Design age-appropriate skill progressions to be implemented across the full 7–8 week camp session
Ensure sports programming aligns with weekly camp themes, special events, and camp-wide schedules
Plan and execute camp-wide sports events, tournaments, and special competitions
Lead daily core sports classes, including: Core Sports: Basketball, Soccer, Whiffle Ball, Pickleball/Tennis, Volleyball, and Track & Field
Deliver clear, structured instruction focused on fundamental and intermediate skills such as passing, dribbling, throwing, catching, volleying, footwork, and teamwork
Adapt instruction for campers Pre-K through middle school, ensuring developmental appropriateness
Modify activities to support campers with limited prior sports experience, varying skill levels, or developmental needs
Foster a camp-wide culture that promotes movement, teamwork, confidence, and sportsmanship
Encourage campers to take healthy risks, build new skills, and celebrate effort and progress
Recognize and celebrate camper achievements and growth throughout the summer
Support positive behavior management through clear expectations, consistency, and positive reinforcement
Mentor and support Sports & Games Specialists, providing guidance on lesson structure, classroom management, and instructional quality
Observe sports classes led by specialists and counselors and provide constructive feedback
Support counselors in confidently facilitating sports-based activities and transitions
Partner closely with the Programming Assistant Director to ensure alignment across sports programming
Take full ownership of sports safety across camp
Ensure all sports spaces and equipment are inspected, set up, and maintained daily
Enforce Department of Health regulations and Kids in the Game safety protocols
Actively supervise high-risk activities and transitions
Respond promptly and calmly to behavioral, medical, or safety incidents
Communicate concerns to Camp Directors and assist with incident documentation as needed
Coordinate daily setup, breakdown, storage, and inventory of sports equipment
Maintain organized, clean, and clearly labeled sports storage areas
Anticipate equipment needs and communicate proactively with leadership
Ensure sports spaces are safe, functional, and ready for instruction each day