Seasonal Day Camp Director | Maryland | Summer 2027

DEAN Adventure Camps; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 52,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

Seasonal exempt (FLSA)

Remote training

Background reimbursement

Free snacks & parking

Employee discounts

Job summary

DEAN Adventure Camps in Bethesda, MD seeks a MD Summer Camp Director to lead a high-energy, inclusive summer program for 50-75 campers weekly with a 10-15 staff team. You’ll partner with Sidwell Friends Lower School and oversee daily operations, safety, and curriculum delivery.

The ideal candidate has prior camp or recreation director experience, superb communication, and a passion for developing young people. This is a full-time, on-site summer position from June 14 to August 14.

Qualifications

• 3 years of experience as Camp or Recreation Director with 50-75 children weekly and 10-15 staff.
• Strong communication across families, partners, staff, and campers.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• Ability to lead in fast-paced, high-energy environments.
• Commitment to safe, inclusive camp culture.

Responsibilities

• Liaise between DEAN Adventure Camps and Sidwell Friends Lower School.
• Oversee daily operations to ensure safety, structure and quality.
• Supervise and mentor onsite team of 10-15 members.
• Conduct evaluations and support growth while upholding HR policies.
• Build a positive, inclusive team culture and engagement.
• Manage scheduling, time off requests and timesheets.
• Ensure camper safety standards and document incidents.
• Communicate with parents daily and via NewsBlast/surveys.
• Maintain curriculum knowledge and assist in classrooms as needed.
• Manage supplies, inventory, ordering and materials.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Adaptability

Drive & Engagement

Organized

Relationship Building

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Job description

MD Summer Camp Director

Who We Are

At DEAN Camps, we create life-changing opportunities for young people to discover their passions, explore endless possibilities, achieve meaningful goals, and navigate thrilling adventures, all while developing character and skills that last a lifetime.

Guided by our core values of Compassion, Trust, Growth, and Creativity, we foster an environment where learning, discovery, and personal development thrive. Our vision is to inspire generations of resilient, compassionate, and confident individuals who contribute positively to their communities and the world.

We operate across DC, MD, NJ, PA, and VA, offering all-inclusive programs that make summer exciting for children and easy for families. Learn more: DEAN Camps.

What Makes You a Great Fit

This job is ideal for experienced camp or recreation directors who excel in high-energy environments.

• Leadership & Team Experience – 3 years of experience working as a Camp or Recreation Director, serving at least 50-75 children weekly and managing 10-15 team members, and 2 years teaching with classroom management.
• Strong Communication Skills – You lead with clarity, empathy, patience, intentionality, and collaboration. You communicate proactively and clearly. This communication spans across families, partners, team members, and campers.
• Adaptability & Quick Thinking – You thrive in fast-paced environments and solve challenges with ease.
• Strong Drive & Engagement – You foster a positive, supportive environment with a dedicated commitment to supporting both children and staff, ensuring every camper and team member feels safe, included, and inspired daily.
• Organized & Reliable – You balance structured programming with creative fun, ensuring process visibility for necessary team members.
• Relationship Building – You have a history of building and maintaining fruitful relationships with school partners, families, and team members, while upholding your employer’s brand, values, and mission.
• Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

What You’ll Do

As the MD Summer Camp Director, you’ll lead an engaging and inclusive summer program that fosters creativity and skill-building. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Serving as the primary liaison between DEAN Adventure Camps and our school-partner, ensuring alignment, collaboration, growth, and satisfaction:
  • This position is hired by and considered an employee of DEAN Adventure Camps. We partner with Sidwell Friends Lower School.
• Overseeing daily camp operations to ensure a safe, structured, smooth, and high-quality experience for both campers and team members:
  • Supervise and mentor an onsite team of 10-15 team members.
  • Conduct team member evaluations and support individual growth and development. Lead disciplinary conversations and performance evaluations to uphold camp standards and HR policies, as they arise.
  • Build a positive, kind, and inclusive team culture to keep team members motivated and growing throughout the season.
  • Run opening and closing procedures, including carline and classroom checks, prior to the cleaning team coming in that evening.
  • Manage team member scheduling, time off requests, and timesheets.
  • Execute daily camper safety standards, responding to and documenting incidents, as they occur.
  • Handle day-to-day parent communication, including carline, and day-of issues, daily NewsBlast updates, as well as parent surveys 2x per week.
  • Maintain in-depth knowledge of the curriculum; observe classroom delivery for oversight of quality of instruction and quality of projects. Work with the lead instructor of each program to make adjustments as necessary. Step in to lead or assist in the classroom when team member shortages require it.
  • Manage supplies by inventorying, ordering, and troubleshooting material needs to ensure all resources are available when needed.

Schedule and Requirements

• Full on-site availability Monday–Friday from June 14–August 14
  • During the camp operation hours of 8am–4pm daily
• Commuting daily to: 5100 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814
  • Training at 3825 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016
• Must be at least 25 years old.
• Willingness to submit required health records to partner host sites prior to employment, in compliance with organizational and state health requirements.
• Physical capacity to lift up to 50 lbs, move throughout the camp site for extended periods, oversee daily operations, and lead the response to safety emergencies in active, sometimes noisy indoor and outdoor environments under varied weather conditions, with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Must have valid First Aid & CPR certification.

Perks and Benefits

• Pay range: $1,150-1,250 per week
• FLSA Status: This is a seasonal full-time, exempt position under the FLSA.
• Paid training: Pre-Summer remote training on: leadership, operations, and DEIB, plus in-person team and logistical training the weekend prior to camp.
• All required background checks and certifications fully reimbursed.
• Daily perks: Free snacks, coffee, and parking + Monday breakfast.
• Employee discounts on camp rates for family members, outdoor gear, art supplies, electronics, and more.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

DEAN Camps is an equal employment opportunity employer. We value diversity and inclusion and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. Hiring decisions are based on job-related qualifications and business needs and are made without regard to race, sex, national origin, color, age, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, religion, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.