Camp Director, Happy Trails for Kids – Partner Camp of Pali Institute
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Posted on:
18 hours ago
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
CAMP DIRECTOR Happy Trails for Kids Acton California Full-Time Year-Round Live-In During Summer
Change The Lives of Children In Foster Care Through The Power of Camp & Community
Welcome to Happy Trails for Kids a Los Angeles based nonprofit providing cost-free ACA accredited overnight camps and year-round supportive programs to children in foster care. This is a transformative moment not just for Happy Trails for Kids but for the thousands of children growing up in foster care in Southern California. After 17 years of renting camp facilities we have acquired a 133-Acre property in Acton CA. The property is currently being restored and reimagined to serve as our first permanent camp for children in foster care. We are looking for a Camp Director to lead the charge in running one of the most innovative impactful and rewarding summer camps in America.
Happy Trails for Kids is undergoing a transformation and we are looking for someone who will build and expand our life-changing model that maximizes overnight camp opportunities for children in foster care and model for what rehabilitation belonging and joy can look like for children in foster care.
ABOUT HAPPY TRAILS AT ACTON
Happy Trails for Kids in Acton is a 133-acre oasis nestled in Acton CA Nestled in a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains. With over 80 existing structures on site we are reimagining the campus into a year-round hub for experiential learning recreation and youth development. The sky truly is the limit at this property and for our kids.
ROLE: CAMP DIRECTOR
Youll start leading 200 campers per week and 75 staff enthusiastic staff during overnight camps with plans to increase that number significantly.
Youll establish the foundation policies and practices to ensure our campers are inspired and cared for every day overseeing compliance with accreditation and any contract/grant requirements. You will provide steady and supportive leadership of someone who has learned lessons and honed their craft but you will embrace your role as lead energizer visionary programmer and motivator for a camp experience that campers will look back on as the defining experiences of their childhood.
This is a dynamic and deeply rewarding position - and it can be challenging. Our campers bring diverse life experiences and the Camp Director must be prepared to lead with empathy navigate complex behaviors and support a team through emotionally charged moments.
Finally given the accessibility of our property you will help oversee with the support of our programming team winter and spring camps/retreats reunion events and curated programming opportunities including day and overnight experiences on a year-round basis.
WHO YOU ARE
- You have 5 years of camp leadership experience (overnight camp preferred).
- Youre charismatic decisive and warm-a natural magnet for kids staff and families.
- You thrive living on-site during summer or year-round in the middle of the action (not behind a screen).
- You appreciate the opportunity to keep a year-round camp community strong with reunion events and curated programs and retreats.
- You can train inspire and lead a team of new and returning staff the majority of whom have lived experience in foster care with excellence.
- You dream big but can also roll up your sleeves.
YOUR YEAR AT HAPPY TRAILS
Off-Season (SeptMay)
- Location: Office-based in Acton
- Help design implement and work collaboratively with Happy Trails programming staff on year-reunion events and other programming initiatives approximately 10 day camps or retreats a year.
- Work collaboratively on building community partnerships
- Hire and train an incredible team of counselors and staff
- Collaborate with ownership and leadership to strategize and innovate.
- Ensure ACA compliance and bring best practices to the table.
On-Season (JuneAugust)
- Live on-site in premium housing and lead from the front.
- Active engagement and modeling as the pulse and personality of camp.
- Supervise and inspire over 75 staff while empowering team leaders to run high-functioning programs.
- With a trusted assistant director and leadership team leading key moments youll have space to refresh as needed and keep your energy high all summer long for the moments that matter most.
- Administer Camper Evaluations and monitor camper and staff feedback and tweak programming weekly to blow minds.
- Handle any caregivert or camper escalations
- Communicate with county agencies
COMPENSATION & PERKS
- $80000$110000/year
- Performance bonuses available
- Medical / Dental / Vision insurance
- Paid vacation and sick time
- On-site meals during camp that truly taste fantastic
- Year-round on-site housing may be provided
THIS IS A CAREER DEFINING OPPORTUNITY TO SHAPE A PROGRAM AND A CAMP FROM THE GROUND UP THAT TRANSFORMS THE LIVES OF CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE
Apply now and seize the opportunity to build the camp of your dreams. Please send all resumes and inquires to
Happy Trails is an equal opportunity employer that values creativity inclusion and kindness.
Required Experience:
Director
Key Skills
- Crisis Management
- Marketing
- Public Relations
- Fundraising
- Media Relations
- Constant Contact
- Strategic Planning
- Social Media Management
- Team Management
- Public Speaking
- Wordpress
- Writing Skills
