Summer Camp Manager

Sierra Nevada Journeys; Portola (CA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

403(b) retirement plan

Paid time off (PTO)

Winter Break

Phone Stipend

Language pay

Family camp discount

Annual bonus

Job summary

Sierra Nevada Journeys is hiring a Summer Camp Manager for our Portola, CA camp to lead and oversee summer and specialty programs. The SCM will manage staff, plan activities, coordinate schedules, and ensure safety and ACA compliance while fostering a fun, educational outdoor experience.

The role focuses on preparing and delivering high-quality camp sessions, mentoring counselors, and collaborating with the Program Director and other teams to ensure smooth operations and camper engagement.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of experience managing staff and outdoor education programs.
• Experience delivering summer camp programming for youth and teens.
• Ability to plan and coordinate camps and related programs.
• Pass background check and immunizations as required.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and delivery of Summer and Specialty Camp programming.
• Supervise and evaluate Summer Counselors and staff.
• Oversee budget and camp store operations.
• Ensure health, safety, and ACA accreditation requirements.
• Coordinate with program directors and partners for enrollment and logistics.
• Maintain camper records and reporting.

Skills

Staff management

Camp programming

Leadership

Budget management

Safety & risk management

Communication

Multi-tasking

Immunization knowledge

Tools

Camp Brain

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Sierra Nevada Journeys is seeking a full-time Summer Camp Manager (SCM) at our Outdoor Education Camp in Portola, CA. The ideal candidate for this leadership role will have experience organizing and delivering summer camp programming for youth and teens as well as specialty camp programming. The SCM must be a highly organized professional who can effectively plan and coordinate summer and related specialty programs, manage and evaluate Summer Counselors, and foster a culture of balanced educational and recreational activity in camp program delivery.

During the summer season, SNJ’s week-long summer camp programs provide a traditional summer camp feel, with a focus on getting campers outdoors and learning science. The bulk of the development done by the SCM will come to fruition in the summer. The remainder of the year, the SCM’s primary focus is on planning, organizing, improving, and staffing the summer camp and other specialty camps. When not tending to summer and specialty camp responsibilities, the SCM will teach and/or coordinate Overnight Outdoor Learning (OOL) and Community Group programs. The SCM may also play a supporting role by leading meals, teaching evening programs, and fulfilling on-site leadership duties.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

70% Manage preparation and delivery of high-quality Summer and Specialty Camp programming.

• Program Planning: Developing and implementing engaging camp themes, activities and schedules, and cabin assignments for summer youth and teen camps and related specialty camps with support from the Program Director.

• Staff Management: Hiring, training, evaluating, and supervising camp staff and counselors to ensure they are equipped to provide a safe and high-quality experience for campers. Provide Summer Counselors with up-to-date Handbook and Standard Operation Procedures. Lead effective meetings with staff.

• Staff Support: Support staff with camper conflicts and behavior challenges, including collaborating with parents to correct undesirable behaviors and actions.

• Budget Management: Overseeing the summer camp budget, including managing expenses and ensuring financial sustainability, and submitting revenue reports to the Chief Operating Officer.

• Camp Store Management: Oversight of the camp store to include budgeting camp store program costs, planning, inventory, and sales.

• Safety Compliance: Ensuring all camp activities meet health and safety standards, conducting risk assessments, and maintaining emergency procedures that adhere to all local, state, federal, and American Camp Association requirements. Maintain the organization of American Camp Association accreditation documentation.

• Camper Engagement: Building positive relationships with campers and their families, addressing concerns, and fostering a welcoming environment aiming to increase camper attendance to SNJ programs.

• Communication: Serving as the primary point of contact for parents, campers, and staff, providing information and updates as needed. Communication is prompt and professional, including phone calls, emails, and in-person discussions.

• Evaluation and Improvement: Collecting feedback from staff and campers to assess program effectiveness and making necessary adjustments for future sessions.

• Marketing and Promotion: Collaborate with SNJ Marketing for enrollment, pre-camp family/parent emails, and advertisement of SNJ summer and related specialty camps.

• Collaboration: Coordinating activities and logistics with other departments, the Program Manager, Adventure Manager, and Camp Medical Supervisor to enhance programming and resource sharing. Attend weekly meetings and report necessary information. Collaborate with SNJ Development and SNJ partner organizations to manage summer camp scholarship programs.

• Record Keeping: Maintaining detailed records of camper registrations, staff performance, and program evaluations for reporting and future planning.

• Ability and willingness to work up to 80 hours of overtime through the summer camp season (June-August).

30% Support preparation and delivery of Overnight Outdoor Learning and Community Group programs

• Train and mentor On-Site Coordinators (OSC), Lead Instructors, and Outdoor Program Instructors (OPI’s) on Overnight Outdoor Learning and camp programming.

• Coordinate pre-trip communication and function as a liaison for schools and community groups.

• Facilitate Chaperone Orientation or group welcomes at the start of program.

• Facilitate teacher or group lead debriefs at the end of program.

• Teach Overnight Outdoor Learning (OOL) and Community Group programs as needed.

• Function as liaison while OOL and Community Groups are on-site.

• Support the facilitation of other programs within SNJ as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 1-3 years of experience managing staff, overseeing outdoor education, leadership programs, or summer camp.

• Experience building and delivering effective, culturally relevant camp-based programs for schools or community partners serving youth from under-resourced communities.

• A passion for working with children and making a difference through the outdoors.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and to be accountable for deliverables in an open space office.

• Ability to work irregular hours, days, and nights to meet program needs.

• Ability to analyze information, formulate work plans, articulate goals, and produce required reports.

• Ability to pass a background check.

• All employees are required to attest in writing they have up-to-date immunizations against the diseases required for public school attendance in the State in which they work as a condition of employment.

• Hold current Red Cross First Aid & CPR certification or acquire 90 days after employment date.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of American Camp Association requirements and documentation

• Familiarity with a camp database system like Camp Brain

• Bilingual in Spanish

• Hold current Lifeguard Certification or Wilderness First Responder Certification

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Competitive compensation: $21-$26/hr. (depends on experience) plus up to 80 hours of paid overtime during the summer (June – August)

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance:

  • 90% employer-paid for employees

  • 30% employer-paid for dependents

• 403(b) retirement plan and up to a 4% match by Sierra Nevada Journeys

• Earned paid time off starting from the first day of employment. PTO is accrued per pay period at the rate of 12 days per year12 paid holidays.

• Winter Break: Two weeks of reduced hours in December/January with partial paid leave

• Phone Stipend: $15 per paycheck.

• Potential for an additional 3% pay for Spanish fluency or other language relevant to supporting our programs

  • The determination of the employees designated to receive multilingual pay is at the sole discretion of Sierra Nevada Journeys.

• 50% discount on Sierra Nevada Journeys’ camps for immediate family

• Annual discretionary bonus based on company and individual performance

EMPLOYMENT HIGHLIGHTS

• Living, working, exploring, and recreating in the beautiful Sierra Valley

• Employment with an innovative company focused on improving outdoor education delivery

• Professional development towards outdoor education leadership goals

• Meals during programs at camp