Summer Camp Director, Placentia (2027)

Galileo Learning • Placentia, CA

3d

About The Position

Galileo Learning is hiring a Camp Director to lead a K–8 summer day camp as its site General Manager and public face. The Director opens and operates a Camp Galileo location, leads a seasonal team of educators and entry-level staff, and creates a joyful, safe, inclusive environment while ensuring smooth daily operations and high-quality programming. The role covers preseason planning and training, summer camp operations, and postseason wrap-up. Directors build strong relationships with campers, families, staff, facilities partners, and cross-functional teams, while advancing Galileo’s mission and applying the Galileo Innovation Approach (GIA).

This seasonal role runs March–September 2027, with exact dates varying by hire date and site operations. During training and preparation (March–June), work is mostly flexible and remote at 5–15 hours per week, with required scheduled and in-person commitments, including training, a Bay Area retreat, marketing events, and onsite preparation. Some events may occur evenings or weekends. During camp operations (June–August), the Director works onsite, typically 7:00 AM–6:00 PM Monday–Friday, up to 50 hours per week for 5–8 weeks depending on placement. Postseason duties in August–September are remote and up to five hours total.

Compensation is listed as a Year 1 estimate: preseason and postseason hourly pay of $23–$25, and a summer weekly salary of $1,500, plus $50 per week for each year of returning tenure in the role. The summer position is full-time and exempt. An additional $1 per camper-week enrollment is offered, with potential commission for add-on weeks. Compensation may vary based on factors including geography and tenure.

Perks include free camp for the employee’s child(ren) or two giftable weeks, including extended care; a 15% Friends & Family discount; and priority nomination for financial assistance for someone the employee knows.

Requirements

• At least 3 years of experience working directly with students in an education setting, such as out-of-school time, teaching, education administration, camps, or recreation.
• At least 1 year of experience managing or supervising adult staff.
• Experience creating safe, inclusive environments for children and building trust with families.
• Experience setting clear expectations, giving ongoing feedback, and coaching staff to improve.
• Demonstrated ability to manage operational details such as scheduling, staffing, and payroll.
• Ability to stay calm and make sound decisions in fast-paced situations, including safety issues and challenging conversations with families.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with families, partners, and supervisors.
• Availability for part-time remote work beginning in the preseason and full-time onsite work during summer operations; dates vary by location.
• Willingness to travel regionally to up to three in-person preseason marketing events.
• Ability to complete all required training before camp begins.
• Ability to meet state requirements for working with children, including required screenings and Adult & Child First Aid/CPR/AED certification.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with hands-on, project-based learning, such as STEAM, art, design, or maker programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the camp’s launch, from preseason planning through end-of-summer wrap-up.
• Oversee daily camp operations and parent communication as both operational lead and culture builder.
• Create a joyful, creative, safe, and inclusive environment for campers, staff, and families.
• Prioritize camper safety, family trust, and program fidelity; anticipate needs and adapt to operational challenges.
• Train and mentor a staff of 7 to 40, including educators and entry-level staff, and build team culture.
• Set instructional and program expectations, provide ongoing feedback, and support professional development.
• Manage training support, scheduling, payroll, and ongoing staff performance.
• Apply the Galileo Innovation Approach to encourage curiosity and problem-solving and keep camp operations aligned with Galileo’s mission.
• Communicate openly with the Field Program Manager, seek feedback, and act on it.
• Serve as the primary face of camp in the community and communicate proactively with families, facilities partners, and cross-functional teams.
• Build trust and collaborate with the Field Program Manager, community partners, staff, and campers.
• Complete required training and preseason marketing events, onsite camp preparation, and postseason administrative tasks and staff reviews.

Benefits

• Free camp for the employee’s child(ren) or two giftable weeks, including extended care.
• 15% Friends & Family discount.
• Priority nomination for financial assistance for someone the employee knows.
• Additional $1 per camper-week enrollment and potential commission for add-on weeks.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed