What are the responsibilities and job description for the Camper Care Director position at National Ramah Commission?
Camp: Ramah Day Camp Philly
Job Title: Camper Care Director
Reports to: Day Camp Director
Team/Department: Day Camp
Organizational Overview
Ramah Day Camp is a fun, dynamic, and enriching Jewish summer camp experience for campers ages 4-14. Located on a beautiful tree-lined campus in Elkins Park, PA, we provide a full range of programming in a nurturing, safe environment that brings Judaism alive in fun and engaging ways. Our campers enjoy a summer of growth, exploration, friendships, learning, and fun, with the goal of creating lifelong Jewish connections, one happy camper (and staff member) at a time!
Job Summary
Under the direction of the Day Camp Director, the Camper Care Director oversees camper care and the inclusion (Tikvah) program to ensure an inclusive, safe, nurturing, and positive camp environment for all campers. The Camper Care Director plays a key role in supporting the social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs of campers by collaborating closely with camp leadership, staff, and families. This position is responsible for equipping staff with the knowledge, tools, and guidance needed to support individual campers, while also serving as a central resource for campers and families to ensure each camper has a successful and meaningful summer.
Duties And Responsibilities
Pre-Camp Responsibilities:
Qualifications include:
Pre-camp responsibilities are to be performed remotely. Summertime responsibilities are to be performed at the day camp location in Elkins Park, PA.
Direct reports
Job Title: Camper Care Director
Reports to: Day Camp Director
Team/Department: Day Camp
Organizational Overview
Ramah Day Camp is a fun, dynamic, and enriching Jewish summer camp experience for campers ages 4-14. Located on a beautiful tree-lined campus in Elkins Park, PA, we provide a full range of programming in a nurturing, safe environment that brings Judaism alive in fun and engaging ways. Our campers enjoy a summer of growth, exploration, friendships, learning, and fun, with the goal of creating lifelong Jewish connections, one happy camper (and staff member) at a time!
Job Summary
Under the direction of the Day Camp Director, the Camper Care Director oversees camper care and the inclusion (Tikvah) program to ensure an inclusive, safe, nurturing, and positive camp environment for all campers. The Camper Care Director plays a key role in supporting the social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs of campers by collaborating closely with camp leadership, staff, and families. This position is responsible for equipping staff with the knowledge, tools, and guidance needed to support individual campers, while also serving as a central resource for campers and families to ensure each camper has a successful and meaningful summer.
Duties And Responsibilities
Pre-Camp Responsibilities:
- Familiarize yourself with CampMinder, our camper database, and the Ramah Day Camp “Camper Care” structure
- Develop Camper Care training modules, in coordination with Camper Care Specialists (Yoatzim), to facilitate relevant training during staff training
- Participate in staff training and lead appropriate workshops
- Review camper files for the purpose of assessing and anticipating campers’ needs
- Consult with parents, mental health professionals, and/or other appropriate person(s) to address any concerns, and make appropriate accommodations for campers’ arrival
- Develop preventive and camp-specific support plans for campers with disabilities and special needs, in coordination with Inclusion (Tikvah) Specialists.
- Supervise Camper Care Specialists (Yoatzim) and Inclusion (Tikvah) Specialists, providing guidance, coaching, and performance feedback.
- Partner with the Camp Director and Camp Nurse to monitor and support campers’ physical, emotional, and behavioral wellbeing.
- Provide consultation and support to staff in responding to camper challenges such as separation anxiety, peer conflict, bullying, and other adjustment or mental health concerns.
- Support campers and staff following disclosures, crises, or stressful events and guide appropriate follow-up.
- Communicate with parents as needed to provide updates and collaborate on strategies that support camper success.
- Maintain accurate documentation of camper care concerns and communications in CampMinder and provide updates to camp leadership.
- Oversee camp sensory spaces and ensure materials are maintained in partnership with Inclusion (Tikvah) Specialists.
Qualifications include:
- Master's degree or above within the field of child psychology or social work. At least 4 years of experience working with children in a specialized setting (e.g., therapeutic camp, pediatric clinic/hospital, Special Education)
- Desire and ability to work with children and young adults in a camp setting. Be a self-starter and able to work with minimum amount of supervision. Must have strong leadership skills, ability to motivate, manage, and counsel. Ability and willingness to live by Jewish concepts and values in camp community. Ability to maximize the skills and talents of staff members at camp
- Ability to communicate with, relate to, and serve as an example to all campers and staff. Ability to be a front-of-the-room presence
- Ability to accept guidance, constructive feedback, and support
- Minimum age requirement: 21
Pre-camp responsibilities are to be performed remotely. Summertime responsibilities are to be performed at the day camp location in Elkins Park, PA.
Direct reports
- Camper Care Specialists (Yoatzim)
- Inclusion (Tikvah) Specialists