Miniwanca Four Trails Program Manager

American Youth Foundation Mission

The American Youth Foundation dares people to discover and celebrate the very best in themselves and others, inspire them to explore diverse perspectives and complex challenges, and embolden them to live courageously, engaging their full capacity.

Job Type

This is a full-time position that will work extended daily hours and 6 days a week during the summer camp season while living onsite. Outside of those dates, this position will work 5 days a week, Monday-Friday with workday hours typically being 8:30am-4:30pm. This position will work in person from the on-site office in Shelby, MI.

Position Summary

Miniwanca is an overnight, residential summer camp for youth ages 8-18. Starting in 8th grade campers have the option to participate in the Four Trails Program. Campers and staff will go on 5–16-day backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, and cycling trips. The Four Trails Manager will remain onsite at camp and support the trips while on trail and in camp. The Four Trails Program Manager is a year-round position responsible for the overall design, implementation, and supervision of Four Trails adventure trip programs at Miniwanca. This role manages all aspects of the program—including staff hiring, training, and supervision; program design and evaluation; budget oversight; logistical and safety management; and collaboration with other site departments—to ensure a safe, high-quality, mission-centered experience for participants. The Four Trails Program Manager also serves as a role model for staff and participants, contributes to recruitment and onboarding efforts, and supports site-wide operations, risk management, and emergency response as needed.

Position Responsibilities

Program Planning, Leadership, and Evaluation

• Design, implement, and evaluate Four Trails adventure trips for Boys Camp and Girls Camp.
• Scout and plan all outdoor adventure trips including hiking, backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, and cycling itineraries.
• Maintain an orderly gear and equipment inventory, ordering supplies, fixing broken items, etc.
• Manage all food needs for trail.
• Coordinate all program logistics, equipment, transportation, and manage risk management in accordance with AYF, ACA, and regulatory standards.
• Manage the Four Trails budget and maintain accurate program records.
• Collaborate with Program Directors to assess and continuously improve program safety and quality.
• Assess the program’s risk management strategies and implement new safety procedures as needed.

Seasonal Staff Hiring, Training, and Supervision

• Collaborate with Directors to recruit, hire, train, and supervise seasonal Four Trails staff.
• Create and facilitate training for seasonal staff members: outdoor skills, gear use and maintenance, emergency response, Leave No Trace principles, outdoor cooking, orienteering, etc.
• Serve as a role model for staff, providing coaching, feedback, and support to strengthen program delivery.
• Participate in staff onboarding and ensure alignment with AYF’s mission, policies, and expectations.

Participant Recruitment and Retention

• Support recruitment strategies that strengthen enrollment pipelines for Four Trails programs.
• Build relationships with partner organizations to broaden outreach and ensure diverse staff and participant representation.
• Engage current and prospective families through clear communication and responsive followup to foster retention.

Miniwanca Site Support

• Collaborate with other site departments (office, food program, facilities) to meet program needs.
• Contribute to sitewide operations, including ropes course facilitation, vehicle program support, facility openings and closings, and emergency response.
• Participate in weekly staff meetings and contribute to the overall health of the Miniwanca community.

Skills and Qualifications

Required:

• At least 21 years of age.
• Support the organization’s mission and vision with integrity, dependability, and accountability.
• Interact effectively with individuals and groups respecting social and cultural diversity. Establish and maintain appropriate professional relationships and interpersonal skills that contribute to a positive community.
• Demonstrate passion for serving youth, encouraging campers to explore through play and creating a space where youth feel included and a sense of belonging.
• Fully participate in and be present at all camp community activities, including staff training activities.
• Maintain effective mental, emotional, and social interactions in our youth centered residential summer camp program.
• Ability to handle stressful situations appropriately, maintaining mental, emotional, and social resiliency needed for the job in a fastpaced, interactive environment.
• Use effective and appropriate selfcare practices for maintaining overall wellness.
• Computer literacy required (experience with Microsoft Office).
• Written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working in a youth environment.
• Selfmotivated, energetic, serviceoriented team player.
• Willingness to expand knowledge and responsibilities.

Preferred Experience, Education, and Certification:

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• Three to five years' experience coordinating and leading backpacking, canoe/kayak, cycling and camping trips in the backcountry using primitive sites.
• Three to five years supervision experience managing and leading a small team of direct reports.
• Three to five years managing program logistics and/or coordinating large, multifaceted projects.
• Wilderness First Responder certification required.
• Lifeguard certification preferred.
• Advanced certification in Outdoor Program Leadership preferred.

Work Environment

• Work in all temperatures and environments.
• Casual, appropriate attire for setting.
• Potential evening and overnight duty during peak program season.
• Weekend work required in program season.
• Minimal travel.
• Program Staff members will live onsite during staff training and during the two camp sessions, including weekends and evenings, to be available 24 hours/day in case of emergency response.
• Housing and all meals are provided during camp sessions.
• Staff live in a communal space with other staff or in cabins with campers, depending on position.

Job Location

The Four Trails Program Manager role is based at Miniwanca in Shelby, Michigan. While in-person presence is preferred, we are open to a hybrid remote role. During the school year, the Manager may work remotely with travel to site throughout the year and recruit campers and staff. Full-time residence on site is required for approximately nine weeks each summer (June–August), including staff training and the camp sessions.

Compensation

• Salary Range: $55,000$60,000
• Benefits o Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement plan. oFamily accommodations during on-site required living periods.
• Tuition discounts for dependents. o12 annual holidays.
• Paid Time Off.

Company Culture

The AYF believes that how we act and interact reflects who we are as a community. In practice, at the AYF we value investing in youth, stewarding the environment, encouraging participants and staff to explore and develop their values and beliefs, belonging in community, and growing together.

Recognizing the full value of all, the American Youth Foundation affords equal opportunity for employment and program participation to all individuals based on merit and / or eligibility without regard to race, color, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, familiar status, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required for this position. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

About AMERICAN YOUTH FOUNDATION

The American Youth Foundation is a nonprofit youth development organization that engages thousands of youth year-round through community and school programs, summer camps, and leadership conferences at our beautiful properties, Merrowvista in New Hampshire and Miniwanca in Michigan. Since 1925, we have welcomed young people from around the world to our campuses to discover the richness of our outdoor environments, the fun of interacting with a positive community, and the challenge of self-discovery.