Program Director, Adventure Guides/Assistant Camp Director

YMCA of the USA; Coppell (TX); On-site; USD 54,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free family membership

403(b) plan

PTO and career development

Job summary

YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas is seeking an Adventure Guides/Assistant Camp on the Lake Director to lead planning and execution of campouts, events, and waterfront activities. You will collaborate with volunteers, staff, and branches to ensure safe, engaging programs for youth and families, while building strong community connections.

The role emphasizes leadership, program coordination, and hands-on waterfront safety training, with a commitment to inclusive community initiatives and volunteer

Qualifications

• This role requires a minimum age of 21 and a bachelor’s degree or 1–3 years of equivalent experience in youth and family programming with camping/recreation.
• Budget monitoring, hiring, disciplining, organizing, supervising, and evaluating staff experience is expected.
• Experience working with children is preferred.
• Physical exertion is required and the ability to lift/carry up to 50 lbs; outdoor time is common.
• Lifeguard certification and LGI certification within 30 days of hire; valid driver’s license and ability to obtain a boater’s license in Texas.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with YMCA members, volunteers, community partners, staff and internal teams.
• Recruit, support, and empower volunteers for the Adventure Guides program.
• Supervise, train and support waterfront staff and manage waterfront safety and schedules.
• Coordinate logistics for 7–8 campouts and monthly local events; align with community needs.
• Act as a liaison to a YMCA branch; support outreach and fundraising initiatives; promote program visibility.

Skills

Relationship building

Volunteer engagement

Camp leadership

Program coordination

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in youth/family programming or related

Job description

The Dallas YMCA is currently seeking a Program Director for our Adventure Guides and Camp on the Lake.

Job Description

The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, established in 1885, consists of 16 branches and 1 destination camps - all dedicated to building healthy, confident, connected, and secure children, adults, families, and communities. We are seeking a dynamic and self-motivated individual to join our team as an Adventure Guides/Assistant Camp on the Lake Director to help serve our organization.

This role plays a vital part in cultivating strong community connections, fostering meaningful relationships with volunteers and participants, and managing regional operations of the Adventure Guides Program and Camp on the Lake Program. Working under the guidance of the Adventure Guides Director and Camp Director, this position is responsible for the successful planning and execution of campouts and local events, while also providing ongoing support and leadership to volunteers. Through the Camp on the Lake Program, this person will also lead and train all aspects of waterfront safety. Strong communication skills, independent decision-making, and a passion for community engagement are essential for success in this role.

Know-How

• Good relationship builder, detailed oriented, communicate well and can work independently.
• Minimum age of 21 years old and bachelor’s degree or 1-3 years of equivalent experience in youth and family programming with experience in camping/recreation.
• Monitoring of budget and ability to hire, discipline, organize, supervise, and evaluate staff.
• Experience working with children is preferred.
• Both jobs require physical exertion and the capacity to left and carry up to 50 lbs and initiate first aid procedures
• Both jobs do require spending significant time outside – especially during the summer months.
• Lifeguard certification and will acquire LGI Certification within 30 days of hire.
• Needs a valid Driver’s License and must be able to obtain a boater’s license in Texas. Will determine, visually and auditorily, if conditions are safe for boating and/or waterfront activities.

Principal Activities/Position Responsibilities

The position will include the following:

• Build and Maintain Relationships- Develop and nurture positive relationships with YMCA members, volunteers, community partners, staff and internal teams. Serve as a key liaison between the YMCA and the families we serve.
• Volunteer Engagement- Proactively recruit, support, and empower volunteers in the Adventure Guides program. Foster a sense of community and ownership among all leaders by maintaining open and consistent communication.
• Summer Camp Leadership- Supervise, train and support waterfront staff, ensuring the safety and quality of all waterfront activities. Manage waterfront schedules, equipment readiness and safety. Continue to build relationships with summer staff and camp families, contributing to positive and inclusive camp culture.
• Year-Round Program Coordination- Manage and execute logistics for 7-8 campouts and monthly local events in the fall and spring. Lead communication efforts with volunteers and families, ensure timely updates and smooth coordination through a variety of tools. Work closely with YMCA branches to align events with the community needs and values.
• Community and Branch Engagement- Act as a liaison to one of the YMCA branches, assisting with community outreach and fundraising initiatives such as the Annual Campaign. Represent the Adventure Guides Program within the broader YMCA organization by fostering relationships, promoting program visibility, and collaborating on initiatives that strengthen community connections.

Qualifications

The applicant should be detailed orientated and comfortable communicating in a variety of forms across their programs. Preferably applicant has experience working with children and problem solving. They need to be able to work independently and take initiative with program management as well as interact regularly with Program Volunteers, Board Members, other Directors, School Systems, and members from across the Association.

Minimum age of 21 years old and bachelor’s degree and/or 1-3 years of equivalent experience in youth and family programming with experience in camping/recreation.

Monitoring of budget and ability to hire, discipline, organize, supervise, and evaluate staff.

Both jobs require physical exertion and the capacity to left and carry up to 50 lbs and initiate first aid procedures.

Both jobs do require spending significant time outside.

Lifeguard certification and will acquire LGI Certification within 30 days of hire.

Needs a valid Driver’s License and must be able to obtain a boater’s license in Texas. Will determine, visually and auditorily, if conditions are safe for boating and/or waterfront activities.

Essential Functions

Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, Long & Short-Term Disability, Medical and Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan, Supplementary Insurance (Cancer/Accident/Critical Illness), Employee Assistance Plan, Free family membership, Discounts on Y programs including summer camps, enrichment classes, youth sports, childcare and more! Eligible to enroll in a 403(b) tax deferred account at beginning of employment. 12% paid by the YMCA upon meeting eligibility requirements. (PTO) Paid time off based on hours worked and years of service. Training and leadership development opportunities. Employee referral awards of $100 and up.