Summer Day Camp Director

Position Description

Working Title:Summer Day Camp Director

Classification:Association Temp Program (Non-Exempt)

Start Date:03/23/2026

End Date:9/18/2026

Duration (months): Approx. 7 months

Hours per week:20 hours: 3/23-5/28;Approx. 40 hours: 6/1-9/18

Days per week / schedule:Monday-Friday

Work Location:4-H Acres; Ithaca NY

Compensation:$19-$20 per hour depending on experience

Supervisor Name & Title:Vicki Fleming 4-H Issue Leader

Benefits Eligibility:Partially Benefits Eligible (No Leave)

Employment Type:Temporary

Position Summary

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.

Required Qualifications

• 21 years of age or older
• Must pass all required screenings for Camp Directors as per NYS Department of Health summer camp requirements
• Drivers 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

Preferred Qualifications

• 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

How to Apply

Please complete our online employment application including cover letter and resume.

Applications will be accepted until March 1 2026 or until a suitable candidate is found.

Contact: Fionna McSweeney Interim Summer Day Camp Director

Additional Info

Please be sure to read the Notice to Applicants found on the Jobs with CCE page:

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for providing equal program and employment opportunities in accordance with applicable laws.

No relocation or VISA Sponsorship available.

The Association may make reasonable accommodations to enable applicants to participate in the hiring process and employees to perform the essential functions of their job. If you require an accommodation so you may participate in the selection process you are encouraged to contact CCE Tompkins HR at

Required Experience:

Director