Miniwanca Girls Camp Director

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.

Position Summary

The Girls Camp Director is a year-round position responsible for the planning and leading Miniwanca’s Girls Camp residential youth empowerment summer camp program. The primary goal is to foster a safe, inclusive, and healthy community where young people can discover and develop their best selves. Each summer, Girls Camp serves approximately 350 participants and 75 seasonal staff. The Girls Camp Director represents the program to all stakeholders, including parents, participants, seasonal and full-time staff, alumni, and the AYF Board of Directors. This role ensures compliance with state regulations, American Camp Association standards, and AYF policies. Additionally, the Girls Camp Director oversees risk management, emergency response, and supports other Miniwanca programs throughout the year.

Position Responsibilities

Program Planning, Leadership, and Evaluation

• Lead the summer residential program in alignment with AYF’s mission and objectives
• Communicate facility, administrative, and food program needs in a timely manner
• Oversee the regular updating and production of participant and staff manuals
• Evaluate program quality regularly, gather feedback from stakeholders, and implement improvements
• Manage the annual camp budget, including purchasing and inventory of program equipment
• Prepare and submit annual program and risk management reports to the Board of Directors

Seasonal Staff Hiring, Training, and Supervision

• Develop and execute a comprehensive plan for the recruitment and hiring of a seasonal staff team
• Provide direct supervision to the seasonal coordinating team and offer guidance and support to supervisors responsible for managing frontline staff
• Plan and deliver two weeks of staff training focused on AYF policies, philosophies, practices and risk management.

Participant Recruitment and Retention

• Support the inquiry management process and implement an annual marketing plan
• Build and maintain positive relationships with camp families yearround by addressing questions, concerns, and feedback
• Travel to represent AYF at conferences, fairs, and events that support recruitment goals.

Miniwanca Site Leadership and Support

• Work collaboratively with Food Program, Facilities, Office and other Program staff to meet sitewide program needs, including facilitation support as part of the larger Miniwanca Program team.
• Serve as a member of the Miniwanca Leadership Team, contributing to overall collaborative management of the site
• Foster a positive and effective work environment at the site
• Serve on the Site Emergency Response Team
• Represent Miniwanca and AYF at regional, local, and national events

Skills and Qualifications

Required:

• Demonstrable experience and education in youth development, with a proven track record of working directly with youth and supervising staff.
• Demonstrable experience identifying, assessing, and managing risk in outdoor or wilderness program settings
• Ability to work in various weather conditions and terrains.
• Commitment to AYF’s mission with integrity, dependability, and accountability.
• Ability to engage respectfully with individuals and groups, recognizing social and cultural diversity.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to contribute positively to a community.
• Passion for youth development, fostering inclusive environments where all participants feel a sense of belonging.
• Ability to fully participate in camp activities, including staff training.
• Capacity to manage stressful situations and maintain emotional resilience in a fastpaced environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with attention to detail.
• Selfmotivated, energetic, and serviceoriented team player.
• Willingness to learn and take on new responsibilities.
• Computer literacy required (experience with Microsoft Office).

Preferred Experience, Education, and Certification:

• At least five years of demonstrated leadership and management experience in experiential or outdoor education, or comparable experience in a related field.
• First Aid, CPR, or Wilderness Risk Management training preferred.

Work Environment

• The Miniwanca site necessitates the ability to move through rugged terrain.
• Casual and appropriate attire for the setting.
• Evening and overnight duties during peak program seasons.
• Weekend work required during program seasons.
• Onsite residency required during staff training and camp sessions, including being available 24/7 for emergency response.
• Housing and meals provided during camp sessions.

Job Location

The Girls Camp Director 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 Director 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: $65,000$75,000
• 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.