Founded in 1909, Camp St. Croix is a cherished part of the YMCA of the North, nestled on 400 acres of stunning natural beauty along the St. Croix River National Scenic Riverway. With a rich legacy of fostering personal growth, community, and environmental stewardship, Camp St. Croix offers a variety of programs, including overnight and day camps, farm and garden experiences, outdoor education, retreats, weddings, special events and conferences. Our mission is to provide transformative experiences that inspire respect for self, community, and the environment.
YMCA Camp St. Croix in Hudson, WI is seeking an experienced Camp Executive Director! The ideal candidate will be passionate about community and youth development and have extensive leadership experience managing large teams as well as risk and safety, budget, fundraising and volunteer and board relationships. Excellent comprehensive benefits package, free membership and program discounts included with a compensation range of $75k - $95k depending on experience and qualifications. Full job description and camp and community details below. The Camp Executive Director is responsible for delivering high-quality programs for all participants, which include youth, families, and adults. In partnership with Program Director, the incumbent recruits, hires, trains and supervises a diverse and high-performing staff team. The incumbent sets the strategic direction of the camp and achieves annual fundraising goals, in partnership with the volunteers of the Community Board. The incumbent ensures that facilities and equipment are maintained.
· Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience,
· Minimum of three (3) years of management experience to include supervision and budgets.
· Progressive programming and management experience in an outdoor residential environment.
· Willing to live on-site in camp-provided housing during program months and be on-call while participants are engaged in camp programs.
· Demonstrated skills in supervision, organizational systems, camping program development, fundraising, and financial management.
· Understands and able to develop and implement curriculum.
· Demonstrated skills in customer service, large and small group communications, leadership, and group work with adults, teens and children.
· Proficiency in Microsoft Suite, including Word, Outlook, Excel and Teams, and other computer programs necessary to perform the duties of the job.
- Supervise camp operating team, including but not limited to Program Directors, Property Manager, Kitchen Manager, Program Coordinators, and other full-time and seasonal team members.
· Oversee the process to recruit, hire, train, and supervise the seasonal staff of 50+.
· Communicate directly with program supervisors, operations staff, and seasonal staff, and instructors, to build skill sets and reach both individual and location goals.
· Oversee program quality, risk management, camper and staff satisfaction.
· Ensure high-quality camping, outdoor education, teambuilding, preschool conference and retreat programs.
· Deliver relevant programming in the areas of leadership development, progressive skill development, and social emotional learning.
· Perform day-to-day operations of camper services, engage in vendor relation management, and carry out fiscally responsible decision making.
· Perform annual reviews of part-time and full-time team members.
· Develop and implement recruiting and retention strategies for diverse seasonal work force.
· Maintain accurate and comprehensive records and files related to participant health and team member performance.
· Evaluate the camp’s programs on an on-going basis involving all stakeholders including team members, community partners, participants, campers, parents, and volunteers.
· Provide risk management oversight for programs, including emergency response, management of evacuations and camper behavior challenges (including family contact), and incident reporting.
· Execute a high level of judgment and independent decision making aligned with the adventure/camping vision.
· In partnership with the Program Directors, work with the marketing team to market experiences and review frequently to adjust or create new offerings.
· Achieve fundraising goals, including Annual Fund and periodic capital campaigns.
· Works closely with Association departments to set direction and achieve goals in the following areas; People and Culture, Risk and Enterprise Management, Mission Advancement (Fund Development), Marketing, Technology and Adventure leadership.
· Serve as an engaged contributor on the broader Y Adventure and Y of the North leadership teams in pursuit of common goals.
· Maintain relationships with outside industry professionals to aid in program development as well as team member continuing education.
· Achieve and adhere to American Camp Association accreditation standards and Department of Health Standards compliance standards.
· Partner with Community Advisory Board Chair to implement board’s chart of work.
- Deep Community Connection: A love for the St. Croix Valley and the Hudson Community, with a desire to nurture relationships with local families, organizations, donors, and stakeholders.
- Strategic Fundraising and Board Development Skills: The ability to engage with our dedicated Community Board/Council, develop strong fundraising strategies, and cultivate lasting relationships with donors to ensure the camp’s financial sustainability and growth.
- Operational Excellence: Proven experience in managing complex programs, facilities, and properties. This includes maintaining high standards for safety, risk management, and program quality.
- Program Innovation and Quality: A commitment to offering exceptional programming that meets the needs of diverse campers and families, rooted in the Y’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, equity, and responsibility.
- Empathetic Leadership and Culture-Building: The ability to lead with kindness, empathy, and authenticity, fostering a workplace culture where staff feel valued, supported, and empowered to create meaningful experiences for campers.
- Vision for Growth: An ability to see opportunities for innovation, sustainability, and expansion that align with the mission and values of Camp St. Croix.
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