Camp Hale Director of Programs (Summer 2024)

Center Sandwich, NH

At United South End Settlements (USES), we offer programs that support the whole family in achieving economic mobility. We help parents and caregivers develop their own capacity to reach their goals, increase their income and assets, and connect with new networks of people through One-on-One Coaching combined with opportunities for personal development through Family Mobility programming. We provide quality education and enrichment opportunities for children and youth that foster personal development and social-emotional skills such as perseverance, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving – Early Childhood Education, club48 out-of-school time programming, and Camp Hale on Squam Lake in New Hampshire. We believe that as families increase their income and assets, become more resilient, and connect to a diverse network, they and their children are more likely to develop the necessary skills to disrupt the cycle of poverty.   

As United South End Settlements celebrates its 125th year and beyond, we are reaffirming our founding vision of an inclusive community where neighbors from all walks of life work together so that all can thrive while implementing a bold, new model designed to promote economic mobility and social capital to break the generational cycle of poverty.               

ABOUT THE ROLE 

Established in 1900, Camp Hale is a sleepaway summer camp for Boston-area youth ages 5 to 17 years old to experience a range of outdoor activities in the scenic environment of Squam Lake, located in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire.  Camp Hale transforms youth into resilient leaders as they discover the wonders of nature, build a diverse community, and embrace challenging experiences.  The camp operates on the belief that all youth benefit from opportunities for physical, mental, and social growth and development.  The goal is for campers to leave with an enhanced sense of well-being, improved social skills, and awareness of personal potential.  

The Camp Hale Director of Programs is a part of the Camp Hale Leadership Team and works under the supervision of the Camp Director and Assistant Director.  This position is responsible for providing a wide range of activities designed to assist campers in mastering age-appropriate skills, increasing cooperative relationships and socialization skills, fostering an appreciation of the environment, and resulting in children enjoying the camping experience.  The Camp Hale Director of Programs is responsible for planning and carrying out all camp programs provided for the camper, assisting in staff training related to the camp activity programs, and supervising the activity area specialists to ensure a quality instructional program.  The Camp Hale Director of Programs plans all activities involving the camper population, coordinates with the Waterfront Director for aquatic activity, and schedules any trips out of camp. 

WHAT YOU’LL DO   

  • The key responsibilities of this position include: 
  • Program Development: Design, plan, and oversee a comprehensive camp program that includes a diverse range of activities, ensuring alignment with camp goals, values, and age-appropriate experiences. 
  • Staff Training and Development: Provide guidance, support, and training to activity leaders and counselors to ensure a high standard of program delivery, safety protocols, and effective engagement with campers. 
  • Activity Coordination: Coordinate activity schedules, special events, trips, optimizing camper participation and enjoyment while balancing skill-building and recreational activities. 
  • Curriculum Enhancement: Continuously innovate and improve camp curriculum, integrating educational elements, team-building exercises, and character development activities into the program. 
  • Safety and Compliance: Oversee the implementation of safety procedures, emergency protocols, and compliance standards to maintain a secure environment for campers and staff. 
  • Camper Engagement: Foster a positive and inclusive environment, encouraging camper involvement, participation, and personal growth through activities and programs. 
  • Evaluation and Feedback: Assess program effectiveness, gather camper and staff feedback, and utilize data to make informed decisions for program enhancements and future planning. 
  • Communication and Collaboration: Maintain open communication with camp leadership, staff, parents, and stakeholders, ensuring transparency and alignment with camp objectives. 
  • Transportation: Alongside the Director of Camp Hale, coordinate the bus pick-up and drop-off schedules, including maintaining the highest level of excellence when communicating with parents/caregivers. 
  • Scheduling: Responsible for daily schedules and activity sign-up sheets. 
  • Other duties as assigned 

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR 

There are innumerable ways to learn, grow, and excel professionally. We know people gain skills through a variety of professional, personal, educational, and volunteer experiences. We respect this when we review applications and take a broad look at the experience of each applicant. We want to get to know you and the unique strengths you will bring to the work. This said, we are most likely to be interested in your candidacy if you can demonstrate the majority of the qualifications and experiences listed below. 

  • Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills. 
  • Proven ability to develop and manage programs, with a focus on creating engaging and educational experiences for children and teenagers. 
  • Experience making responsible decisions and exercising sound judgment 
  • Minimum of 2 years of experience in camp programming, youth development, or related roles, with at least 1-2 years in a leadership/supervisory capacity. 
  • Physical Requirements (with or without accommodation)  
  • Must be able to climb, balance, kneel, crouch, reach, stand, walk, lift, finger, grasp, feel, talk, hear, and be capable of repetitive motion. Position requires exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly. Work requires close visual acuity. 
  • Position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions. 

WHAT WE OFFER 

This is a seasonal position based in Squam Lake, NH, from June 4-August 20. The stipend for this role is between $4,500-$6,000 depending on experience. Room and board are included for this time period, as well as all meals during the camp session.