Director of Camp Hidden Valley (Full-Time)

CAMP DIRECTOR, CAMP HIDDEN VALLEY

Since its founding in 1877, The Fresh Air Fund, a not-for-profit youth development organization, has provided free life-changing summer experiences outdoors to more than 1.8 million children from New York City’s underserved communities. Young people also participate in year-round leadership, career exploration and educational programs. For more information, visit www.FreshAir.org [https://www.freshair.org/].

Position Summary

Camp Hidden Valley is a residential summer camp for children ages 8–12, offering a wide range of activities from swimming, sports, and outdoor adventure to music and art. Each summer, Camp Hidden Valley runs four sessions, serving approximately 80 campers per session with the support of 60 dedicated staff members from around the world.

The camp fosters a fun, inclusive environment where children build confidence, explore new interests, and form lasting friendships. Counselors and campers create a strong sense of community through classic camp traditions such as campfires and s’mores, spirited cheers, camp carnivals, and shared cabin life — all while embracing the joy, connection, and discovery that make each summer at Hidden Valley unforgettable.

The Camp Director, Hidden Valley provides inspiring, strategic and operational leadership for Camp Hidden Valley while supporting all aspects of the camper registration process. This role combines direct oversight of one of the organization’s residential summer camps (including overall leadership, management, and operations of the camp) with responsibilities related to community outreach, family engagement, camper enrollment, application review, and program placement. The Camp Director ensures a safe, engaging, and high-quality experience for all campers and staff, reflecting The Fresh Air Fund’s mission and commitment to youth development.

This is a full-time position. From September through May, this role is based in the NYC office and currently requires three days a week in the office with occasional trips to Sharpe Reservation in Fishkill, NY as required. The Fresh Air Fund offices are open and available all week, and all employees are permitted and encouraged to come to the office to work. The Fund may modify its remote work policy generally or with respect to any position at any time.

From June through August, this position also requires 24/7 on-site in-residence leadership at Camp Hidden Valley in Fishkill, NY from June through August. The Camp Director, Hidden Valley reports to the Senior Director of Camping, with functional and project oversight provided by the Senior Program Director Team.

Responsibilities

I. Camp Director Responsibilities

• Program Planning & Evaluation:Develop, implement, and assess camp programs using data and feedback to drive continuous improvement and ensure alignment with youth development practices and organizational goals.
• Staff Recruitment & Onboarding:Set hiring goals and lead recruitment, interviews,selection, and onboarding for both domestic and international staff.Report outon and be accountable forKey performance indicators.
• Facilities & Logistics:Collaborate with maintenance and facilities teams to prepare camp for summer operations, ensuring safety, functionality, and readiness across all buildings and outdoor spaces.
• Compliance &Risk Management:Ensure adherence to all relevant regulations, including Department of Health standards, American Camp Association (ACA) guidelines, and Fresh Air Fund policies.Assistwith the development, review, and documentation of policies and procedures to mitigate risk.
• Professional Development:Engage in ongoing professional development to remain current on industry best practices, accreditation standards, and emerging youth development trends.
• Budget & Administration:Assist in creating andmonitoringthe camp budget. Ensure fiscal responsibility through careful management of supply orders, payroll submissions, and administrative processes.

Summer Responsibilities:

• In-Residence Leadership:Live on-site for the full summer session, providing leadership, supervision, and oversight of all camp programs and operations.

• Program Implementation:Ensuresafe andsmooth daily operations that promote inclusion, and enrichment. Respond promptly and effectively to crises, emergencies, and behavioral issues.
• Leadership & Supervision: Provide effective and inspiring leadership, supervision, and professional development for all staff. Foster a supportive culture that encourages feedback, accountability, and growth.
• Staff Training, Oversight & Support:Plan andfacilitatestaff orientation and ongoing training. Monitor staff performance, provide mentorship, and upholdhigh standardsof care and professionalism.
• Family Communication:Serve as the primary point of contact for familiesregardingcamper concerns, ensuringtimely, transparent, and compassionate communication.
• Facilities & Administration:Partner with facilities and administrative teams tomaintainahigh-quality experiencefor participants. Oversee facility cleanliness, supply management, and payroll accuracy.
• Health & Wellness:Collaborate with nursing and wellness staff to promote the safety, physical health, and emotional well-being of all campers and staff.

II. Registration Coordinator:

Participant Application Registration

• Review participant applications and supporting documents to determineappropriate programplacement and readiness for camp participation.
• Provide ongoing support to families throughout the application process.
• Assistwith re-interviews of returning campers and interviews for new applicants.
• Collaborate with the Support Services Manager toidentifyand recommend appropriateaccommodationsoradditionalsupport for campers.
• Support the development and implementation of systems to improve efficiency and consistency inapplicationreview and approval processes.
• Participate in departmental and cross-departmental meetings to align efforts and support organizational projects.
• Maintainaccuraterecords in databases (e.g.Salesforce) to ensure smooth operations and data integrity.

Family Engagement

• Support year-round family engagement and outreach activities.
• Hostinfopresentations,registrationeventsand orientation eventsfor families.
• Focus on retention of returning familiesthrough intentional touchpointsand application support.
• Help families prepare for their child’s summer experience.

Outreach & Program Promotion

• Conduct outreachin the community (schools,community-basedorganizations,foster care agencies, shelters, and other organizations) to educate the community on summer opportunities.
• Build andmaintaincommunity-basedpartnerships with schools, community groups, and service organizations.
• Recruit and supportparentambassadors to promote programsin the community.
• Facilitate presentationsand attend eventsto promotecamper registrationin the community.

Additional responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in residential camp settings, including prior supervisory roles.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to inspire staff and foster a positive camp culture.
• Experience in program development, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of youth development practices and principles.
• Ability to handle crises, emergencies, and behavioral issues with maturity and diplomacy.
• Flexibility to work extended hours, evenings, andweekends.
• Bachelor’s degreepreferred.
• BilingualinSpanish or Mandarin preferred.
• Valid driver’s licensepreferred.
• Passion for youth development, equity, and The Fresh Air Fund’s mission of providing transformative outdoor experience.
• Ability to spend significant amounts of time outdoors/all seasons.

As part of our commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and to protecting the participants we serve, The Fresh Air Fund requires all camp staff to meet applicable vaccination requirements in accordance with federal, state, and local laws, and to be fully vaccinated against polio and MMR. As new public health issues arise, The Fresh Air Fund may require additional vaccinations. Proof of vaccination or an approved exemption will be required as a condition of employment.

Salary & Benefits

The salary for this role is $80,000. The Fresh Air Fund offers a generous benefits package including medical, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, commuter benefits, and employer and employee retirement contribution plans.

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit a Camp Director, Hidden Valley application.  Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Please note that applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. No calls or recruiters, please.

The Fresh Air Fund is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusive hiring, and dedicated to diversity in its work and on its staff. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, experiences, orientations, and communities to apply.