Summer Camp Director, Lafayette (2027)

Galileo Learning • Lafayette, CA

5h

About The Position

Galileo Learning is seeking an experienced Camp Director to lead a Camp Galileo location serving K–8th grade campers and their families. The Camp Director serves as the site’s General Manager and public face, leading a seasonal team of educators and entry-level staff to create joyful, safe environments and ensure smooth daily operations. The role focuses on exceptional camper and family experiences, program quality, creativity, customer care, curriculum, and team leadership.

The Camp Director owns the camp launch from preseason planning through end-of-summer wrap-up. This includes overseeing daily operations, parent communication, safety, program fidelity, staff training and development, scheduling, payroll, performance management, and partnerships with families, facility partners, and internal teams. The director builds an inclusive, creative camp culture and applies Galileo’s Innovation Approach to help the team address challenges and improve.

This seasonal role is organized into three phases. Training and preparation involve approximately 5–15 hours per week, mostly flexible and remote, with scheduled and in-person commitments. Some activities may occur in evenings or on weekends. During camp season, the role is on-site, typically 7:00 AM–6:00 PM Monday through Friday, for up to 50 hours per week over 5–8 weeks. Postseason wrap-up involves up to five total remote hours for administrative tasks and staff reviews. The posting gives differing year references for the schedule: the title identifies 2027, the schedule describes March–September 2027, and the qualifications mention availability beginning in 2026.

Compensation includes hourly pay of $23–$25 for preseason preparation and training, a summer weekly salary of $1,500 plus $50 per week for each year of returning tenure in the role, and hourly pay of $23–$25 for postseason work. The posting also describes an additional $1 per camper-week enrollment and potential commission for add-on weeks. Perks include free camp for the employee’s child 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, providing 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 starting February 2026 and full-time on-site work starting June 2026, with dates varying by location.
• Willingness to travel within the region 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, including STEAM, art, design, or maker programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the launch and operation of a Camp Galileo location from preseason planning through end-of-summer wrap-up.
• Create a joyful, creative, inclusive environment where campers, staff, and families feel supported and welcomed.
• Oversee daily camp operations, parent communication, program quality, and adherence to curriculum and program standards.
• Prioritize camper safety, family trust, and program fidelity; anticipate needs and resolve problems as they arise.
• Train, mentor, schedule, and manage a staff of 7 to 40, including educators and entry-level staff.
• Set clear instructional and program expectations, provide ongoing feedback, and support staff professional development and performance management.
• Manage operational responsibilities including training support, scheduling, staffing, and payroll.
• Apply the Galileo Innovation Approach to encourage curiosity, problem-solving, and continuous improvement.
• Communicate with the Field Program Manager, seek feedback, and put feedback into action.
• Serve as the primary public representative of the camp in the community.
• Communicate proactively and build partnerships with families, facilities partners, staff, campers, and cross-functional teams.
• Complete required training, preseason events and preparation, on-site camp operations, and postseason administrative tasks and staff reviews.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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