Summer Camp Director, Mercer Island (2027)

Galileo Learning • Mercer Island, WA

10h

About The Position

Galileo Learning is hiring an experienced Camp Director to lead a Camp Galileo summer day-camp location serving K–8th grade campers and their families. The Camp Director serves as the site General Manager and the public face of the organization, opening and operating the camp while leading a seasonal team of educators and entry-level staff. The role focuses on delivering a joyful, safe, inclusive, and well-run program, maintaining program quality, and providing excellent camper and family experiences through strong customer care, curriculum delivery, and team leadership.

The position is seasonal, with work organized into three phases. Training and preparation take place from March through June and involve approximately 5–15 hours per week, mostly flexible and remote, with scheduled and in-person commitments. On-site camp operations generally run June through August, with hours typically between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday, for up to 50 hours per week over 5–8 weeks. Wrap-up work takes place remotely in August through September and is up to five hours total. Some preseason events may be scheduled during evenings and weekends.

Compensation includes hourly pay of $23–$25 for preseason preparation and training, a weekly summer salary of $1,600 plus $50 per week for each year of returning tenure in the role, and hourly pay of $23–$25 for postseason wrap-up. The role also offers an additional $1 per camper-week enrollment and potential commission for add-on weeks. Compensation may vary based on geography and tenure.

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.
• Ability to manage operational details such as scheduling, staffing, and payroll.
• Ability to remain 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 during the preseason and full-time on-site work during camp operations; dates vary by location.
• Willingness to travel in the region for 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, including STEAM, art, design, or maker programs.

Responsibilities

• Bring joy, tradition, and creativity to camp and build an inclusive environment where campers, staff, and families feel seen, supported, and inspired.
• Own the camp launch from preseason planning through end-of-summer wrap-up.
• Oversee daily camp operations and parent communication while delivering an exceptional program.
• Prioritize camper safety, family trust, and program fidelity.
• Anticipate needs, adapt quickly, and solve problems to keep camp running smoothly.
• Train and mentor a site team of 7 to 40 educators and entry-level staff, depending on site size.
• Set expectations for instructional and program standards, provide ongoing feedback, and support professional development.
• Manage training support, scheduling, payroll, and ongoing staff performance.
• Use the Galileo Innovation Approach to encourage curiosity and problem-solving, and help the team turn challenges into opportunities.
• Communicate openly with the Field Program Manager, seek feedback, and act on it.
• Take ownership of personal professional development throughout the summer.
• Serve as the primary face of camp in the community and communicate proactively with families, facilities partners, and cross-functional teams.
• Collaborate with the Field Program Manager and build trust with community partners, staff, and campers.

Benefits

• Free camp for the employee’s child or children, or two giftable weeks of camp, including extended care.
• 15% Friends & Family discount.
• Priority nomination for financial assistance for someone the employee knows.

What This Job Offers

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