What are the responsibilities and job description for the Camp Manager position at SUGAR BOWL SKI RESORT?
Sugar Bowl is seeking a dynamic, experienced, and safety-focused Camp Manager to oversee and elevate our premier youth summer camp program on beautiful Donner Summit. As Camp Manager, you'll lead the entire operation of Sugar Bowl’s outdoor adventure camp, ensuring seamless daily execution, exceptional staff performance, unforgettable camper experiences, and unwavering safety in the stunning Sierra Nevada mountains.
Why Sugar Bowl?
Sugar Bowl Resort has been proudly independent for over 80 years and is one of the oldest ski resorts in California. Situated atop beautiful Donner Summit, Sugar Bowl has a storied past with ties to Austrian ski culture, Hollywood and Walt Disney. This special community helped bring skiing to “sunny California” since December 1939. Since then, it continues to attract adventurous winter sports enthusiasts a like.
Who You Are
- Proven experience in camp management, outdoor program leadership, or supervising staff in youth recreation/camping settings (prior experience at adventure-focused or residential/day camps highly desirable).
- Enthusiastic, dependable, with a professional demeanor and genuine passion for youth development, outdoor adventures, and creating transformative experiences for kids.
- Excellent leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills to mentor staff, build relationships, resolve conflicts, and interact positively with campers, parents, and team members.
- Strong organizational, multitasking, and problem-solving abilities to manage fast-paced operations, adapt to changing conditions (weather, group needs), and handle multiple priorities with patience and flexibility.
- Deep commitment to safety, risk management, inclusivity, and exceptional service; experience enforcing policies and responding to emergencies effectively.
- Willingness to attend/facilitate pre-camp training, pass a background check, and obtain/maintain certifications (e.g., First Aid/CPR at advanced level, wilderness first aid preferred; training support available).
- Comfortable and experienced working outdoors at elevation (Donner Summit, ~7,000 ft) in varying weather conditions, including sun, rain, wind, and cooler alpine temperatures.
- Meet essential eligibility standards to perform the role effectively: Minimum 18 years of age, eligible to work in the United States.
What You Will Do
- Work full-time Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, from Date Range, plus pre-camp preparation and post-camp wrap-up; fully commit to the season for consistent leadership and team stability.
- Attend and facilitate mandatory pre-camp training, staff meetings, and debriefs; successfully pass a background check and maintain required certifications (e.g., advanced First Aid/CPR, leadership training).
- Oversee all daily camp operations, including program scheduling, activity coordination, staff deployment, facility maintenance, and logistics to deliver high-quality, engaging outdoor recreation and educational experiences.
- Lead, supervise, mentor, and evaluate the full camp team, including Senior and Junior Camp Counselors, through hiring support, pre-camp and ongoing training, performance feedback, conflict resolution, and professional development to foster a collaborative, high-performing staff culture.
- Plan, implement, and adapt age-appropriate programming and daily/weekly schedules, incorporating outdoor adventures (hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, etc.), team building, environmental education, and special events; coordinate setup/teardown, mealtimes, and transitions.
- Handle administrative duties such as record-keeping (attendance, incident reports, evaluations), supply management, budget oversight (as directed), end-of-season reporting, and program assessment to drive continuous improvement.
- Maintain strong partnerships with leadership, parents, and external partners; serve as the main on-site point of contact, being readily available throughout camp hours for questions, concerns, or escalations.
- Serve as a primary role model and mentor to Senior and Junior Counselors and campers alike, providing guidance on camp operations, activity facilitation, behavior management, and leadership techniques while supporting team collaboration in a fast-paced, outdoor setting while being comfortable working outdoors at elevation in varying weather conditions (including rain, sun, wind, and cooler alpine temperatures).
- Ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all campers, ages 4–17, and staff at all times by enforcing policies, conducting risk assessments, responding to incidents/emergencies, managing compliance, and serving as the primary safeguard lead.
- Foster a safe, inclusive, positive, and memorable camp environment that promotes personal growth, confidence-building, teamwork, friendship, and a lifelong love of the outdoors while using strong interpersonal and communication skills to build relationships, encourage participation, celebrate successes, and support every child in feeling included.
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to stand, walk, hike, and actively participate for extended periods (full days outdoors, often 8 hours) on uneven, hilly, or rocky terrain.
- Capability to lift, carry, and move equipment/supplies up to 25–50 lbs (e.g., kayaks, backpacks, activity gear, or assisting campers).
- Visual and auditory acuity to observe camper behavior, identify hazards, monitor group safety across activity areas, and respond swiftly to incidents or emergencies.
- Endurance and mobility to bend, stoop, kneel, climb, swim, paddle, or perform other physical tasks associated with hiking, water activities, rock climbing, games, and team building.
- Overall good health and physical fitness to maintain constant supervision and engagement in a high-energy, outdoor setting at altitude (where oxygen levels are lower and weather can change rapidly).
Summer Benefits
- Employer sponsored 401k plan after 1000hrs (and 1-yr)
- Paid sick time
- Excellent professional and training development
Join us at Sugar Bowl Summer Camp as Camp Manager where you'll shape an epic season of growth and adventure for kids and staff alike amid breathtaking Sierra scenery. If you're a proven leader ready to take full ownership and make this summer unforgettable, we want you at the helm! Apply today to lead our team to new heights.
Sugar Bowl Resort believes that all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate against its employees or applicants because of race, color, hair, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender orientation, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, citizenship, veteran status, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, or any other status protected by federal, state or local law, ordinance or regulation. Equal employment opportunity will be extended to all persons in all aspects of the employer-employee relationship, including recruitment, hiring, upgrading, training, promotion, transfer, discipline, layoff, recall, and termination.