Program Coordinator at Outdoor Adventure and Mythology Summer Day Camp

Title: Program Coordinator

Employment Status: Exempt/Seasonal

Company Summary:

Plato Learning operates outdoor mythology-based day camps for kids ages 6-15. They create a world where monsters, myth, and magic transport kids out of the mortal realm into one where they are empowered to develop new skills, take risks, solve problems, and ultimately become Heroes. Now in seventeen locations spanning from NYC to California, Plato Learning uses actors, live-action role-play, and physically and mentally engaging activities to bring myths to life.

Are you ready to join the LA: West. team and accept our call to adventure?

Job Summary:

We are hiring an energetic leader and adventure role model to serve as Program Coordinatorsat our LA: West location. As the Ringleader of Fun, Program Coordinators are the enthusiastic, flexible, camper-facing leader for all camp activities and programming. They set the tone for the fun and engaging activities that take place each day. They are responsible for managing activities for campers of all ages and engagement styles that come to Plato Learning for our brand of physical game, story-based adventures, and energetic outdoor experiences. Additionally, Program Coordinators assist Camp Leadership with daily operations to keep Camp running smoothly.

Job Responsibilities

Engage the Demigod Campers.

• Energetically and engage campers in specialty camp activities.
• Create and flex multi-modal programming that will immerse and uplift every kid.
• Encourage campers to take risks, participate, and explore their own personal limits, while celebrating the heroic strengths they already possess.
• Support demigods in meeting their victories and defeats with grace.

Organize the Hero’s Journey

• Pre-season: Schedule and adapt camp activities for use at camp.
• In-season: Adapt activities to support the week’s adventure storyline and respond to the culture of camp.
• Keep the scheduled activities exciting and running on-time.

Be the “Call to Action” and Ring Leader of Fun.

• Provide the Call to Action–organize and lead large camp-wide activities, like the Olympics, or the Final Battle for 250 demigods.
• Keep campers engaged and safe during large, high-energy activities.
• Lead activities with infectious enthusiasm and a flexible mindset.

Train Heroes to Lead.

• Help facilitate Counselor and CIT training on leading activities with confidence and coming up with new ideas to keep programming running at its highest potential.
• Set the tone for Counselors and CITs by modeling enthusiastic engagement in programming while leading it

Facilitate Magic with the Campers.

• While “Quest” is the main adventure, there are many story moments throughout the week: Quest Guide will organize scouting missions, small council discussions, oracle visits and recaps.
• Actively listen, improvise, and use critical thinking to connect with the Demigods and keep an eye out for those magic moments that can be created on the fly to help them find the heroism within.
• Through their positive attitude and personal standards of conduct, Quest Guides set an example of heroic behaviors for young Demigods to model.

Build an Ensemble.

• With the help of the Quest Development Team, review performer submissions and cast your ensemble.
• Understand the importance of telling a culturally responsible story with appropriate casting.
• Schedule training and weekly rehearsals using improv and ensemble building techniques to empower performers to make bold, adaptable character choices that center the camper’s experience.
• Manage the ensemble, maintaining healthy work relationships and respecting each individual's time.

Be the “Call to Action”.

• Provide the Call to Action–organize and lead large camp-wide activities, like the Olympics, or the Final Battle for 15-30 demigods.
• Maintain the presence to keep large activities running safely and the enthusiasm to keep them fun.
• Lead activities with infectious enthusiasm and a flexible mindset.
• We believe the best learning comes from serious play

Steel your Resolve.

• Our Camp is an energetic all-outdoor environment that requires staff and campers to embrace exciting challenges.
• An LA: West Program Coordinator will spend most of their day on their feet and walk anywhere from 15,000-18,000 steps/day on the job, across changes in elevation and varying terrain.
• As Leadership Staff are the first people our Demigods look to in times of challenge and uncertainty, we are looking for courageous individuals excited by the discomfort in adventure, and who do not shy away from responsibility, in the heat of summer, or when it is raining.

Embrace the Chaos.

• Think on your toes and embrace the importance of story and adapting to the unexpected.
• Be flexible: when a camper responds in an unexpected way, or a schedule/staffing change forces a plot adjustment, adapt the living story and guide the team through changes.
• Create camper buy-in through an effective, engaging story with minimal reliance on conventional theater tech.

Rise to the Challenge.

• Prove their efficacy through action, and handle challenging situations with kindness and readiness to help.
• Resolve conflict in a constructive, uplifting, and non-punitive manner that redirects to engagement.
• Build morale and uplift the team by compassionately managing unforeseen circumstances with decisive clarity and a high level of initiative.
• Care for campers and your fellow staff through service-leadership. This may look like supervising a cabin group, temporarily covering another leadership role, or managing challenging behavioral situations when they arise.

The Hours.

• Approx 5-10 hours/week of remote training and prep-work from March-May for a total of 80 hours.
• Facilitate Performer Training to prepare for In-Person Training Week
• Facilitate 40 hour In-Person Training week, the week before each program’s start date
• 40-45 hours/week in-person at your camp location for your program’s 4 weeks
• Camp Schedule: 7:30am-4:30pm; Monday-Friday (Campers present 8:45-4:10)

What abilities are we looking for?

• Experience working with children ages 7-14 in schools, at camps, after school programs, or other structured capacites
• Leadership Experience– previous performer, staff or classroom management is a plus
• Organized, versatile leaders with unique vision, capable of telling engaging stories with minimal tech
• Strong initiative, conflict resolution, and communication skills with a team-player attitude
• Ability to physically and vocally command attention in an outdoor space with positive and engaging energy
• Full time availability in summer
• Ability to maintain stamina, excitement, and endurance while working in an outdoor, high-energy environment over the course of the Camp Season

Plato Learning would like to put forth this statistic. While men apply to jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the requirements, women and other underrepresented people often only apply when they match all criteria. Even if you don't meet every checkbox in the job description, but you think you have what it takes, we encourage you to apply.

Benefits and Compensation:

Compensation. $19/hour

• During Camp and Staff Training Weeks: 40-45 hours/week for your program’s 5 weeks
• Any absences or sick days are unpaid
• Referral Bonus: $50 bonus for any referred applicants who are hired and work at least 3 in-season weeks.

Opportunity for Advancement.As Plato Learning grows, we look within our talented seasonal staff to fill full-time opportunities when they arise within the company..

Community. Containing hundreds of creative-minded heroes, the Plato Learning network carries authors, podcasters, performers, dungeon masters, and many others ready to chat and create.

Please keep in mind the start and end dates for the LA: West season:

• Training takes place the week of July 1st-5th
• Camp season runs July 8th-August 9th

Ready to Send an Application via Iris Message?:

Please visit to fill out an application. Only candidates selected for an interview will be notified of next steps.

Hesitation of Hermes:

Questions before you apply? Email us at

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary

Pay: $19.00 per hour

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person