Summer Day Camp Director

Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County•Ithaca, NY

4d•$19 - $20•Onsite

About The Position

The mission of Primitive Pursuits is to steward the health of our community by fostering life-long relationships with the natural world through exceptional mentoring and nature education. Primitive Pursuits offers a variety of programs year-round, with our biggest program being our summer day camp. The Summer Day Camp Director works collaboratively with the 4-H Primitive Pursuits Program and Camp Director and Assistant Camp Directors to support the summer camp operations. Prior to summer, the Summer Day Camp Director will assist in a variety of tasks including but not limited to: staff hiring, staff scheduling, camper registrations, crafting staff training week, ordering supplies, staff recruitment, scheduling medical trainings, and submitting all required documentation to the New York State Department of Health. During the summer, the Day Camp Director will be responsible for overseeing the operations of the day camp program including but not limited to: day camp instructors, assistant camp directors, logistics coordinator, volunteers and others. The Director will be the point person for responding to emergencies, facilitating staff meetings and planning, maintaining camp resources and supplies, creating staff schedules and interacting with parents, campers, staff, and administration. This is a great position for someone who has ample experience in summer camp leadership and has a deep connection to the natural world.

Requirements

21 years of age or older
Must pass all required screenings for Camp Directors as per NYS Department of Health summer camp requirements
Driver’s license and transportation to various camp locations on time
2+ years’ experience working at a summer day camp for youth ages 5-16 in a leadership capacity (ex: assistant director, aquatics director, program director, etc.)
Minimum 2-year experience working at a summer day camp in an undeveloped setting for youth ages 5-16
Minimum of 1 year of supervisory experience in a camp setting
Excellent social, communication, writing, and computer skills
Experience in mentoring OR coaching staff members/co-workers in problem solving, organization, and day to day coordination
Must have RTE First Aid OR WFR Certification, and CPR for Professional Rescuer or higher OR be able to attain it before the start of camp
Able to work the entire camp season, June 22-September 4, 2026
Attend and assist in leading staff training June 22-26, 2026
Experience in planning daily and weekly wilderness survival/naturalist activities, projects, and games for youth ages 5-16
Experience teaching children and youth ages 5-16 directly in an outdoor setting
Values diversity and inclusion and demonstrates an active awareness of issues of cultural appropriation and privilege
Able to work in a changing outdoor environment in all weather and tackle new problems each day
Ability to learn and convey skill sets efficiently
Be able to multitask and prioritize accordingly
Ability to handle high levels of stress in a calm and collected manner with the big picture in mind
Possess a high level of comfort and curiosity in the natural world
Developing skills in specialized areas pertaining to wilderness living, primitive or naturalist skills OR seeking to learn specialized skills pertaining to wilderness living and primitive or naturalist skills
Ability to inspire and relate positively with youth, teens and young adults
Ability to work evenings as needed
Ability to manage conflict situations appropriately and efficiently
Works well with minimal supervision and asks for assistance when needed
Strong commitment to teaching and sharing an appreciation for nature with people of all ages
Previous experience with primitive technologies and wilderness survival or naturalist/outdoor skills
Uphold the 4 Values of camp: Belonging, Gratitude, Awareness, and Getting Outside, in all interactions with campers, staff, and families within programs and activities
Other Duties as assigned

Nice To Haves

Experience with the NYS Department of Health Summer Camp Requirements
Experience working with people of diverse educational and cultural backgrounds
Well-developed sense of humor, play, and curiosity
Experience with nature awareness culture, such as Wilderness Awareness School, Art of Mentoring, or Kamana
Experience with Coyote mentoring
Ability to thrive in rigorous outdoor physical education activities
Passionate about learning new material and practicing skills outside of work

Responsibilities

Arrive to work on time and ready for the day ahead
Assist with the development and coordination of camp programs and activities for a safe, engaging, high quality summer program within the scope of Primitive Pursuits mission
Act as the liaison and point person to the Tompkins County Department of Health
Assist the Health Director and the 4-H Primitive Pursuits Program and Camp Director in assuring that TC Department of Health guidelines for summer camp are met
Provide organizational support for overall camp operations
Provide programmatic support to instructors
Assist with hiring and training of all summer camp staff
Create staff weekly schedules and camper groups with the help of Summer Camp leadership staff and 4-H Primitive Pursuits Program and Camp Director
Assist with maintaining fiscal records for the summer camp program, including weekly supply budget, Camp Store transactions and records, and overall Summer Camp budget
Assist with follow-through of any correspondence necessary related to camp functions and activities, i.e. summer staff contracts, permits, certifications, etc.
Assist in the designation of camper placement within groups
Address crisis management, discipline, and troubleshooting issues related to campers and/or staff
Assist in determining supply and equipment needs and in ordering/purchasing in collaboration with Summer Camp leadership staff
Support and supervise all summer staff in organizing, implementing, decision-making, and troubleshooting
Maintain a positive and calm team atmosphere that includes campers, families, staff, and volunteers
Actively participate in the process of giving, receiving, and implementing feedback among Instructor and Summer Camp Leadership teams
Schedule, supervise, and evaluate program staff, including Lead Wilderness Instructors, Assistant Instructors, Interns, Mentors-In-Training (MITs), and volunteers, providing support, and disciplinary measures when necessary
Assist in the evaluation of the camp program itself, as well as the camping experience for youth participants alongside the 4-H Primitive Pursuits Program and Camp Director
Assist in overnight camp programs and able to stay onsite if needed (one night)
Work as a substitute Wilderness Instructor for school year programs and work as a Wilderness Instructor during the summer if needed
Role-model passion, enthusiasm, and comfort around engaging with the elements of nature
Role-model appropriate footwear, clothing, and outdoor gear for the summer camp experience
Represent the high caliber of the organization when speaking to families, staff, and participants
Ability to speak to family members regarding camper behavior, conflicts, or situations
Work collaboratively with the 4-H Primitive Pursuits Program and Camp Director when needed or requested
Other duties as assigned