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DIRECTOR OF OUTDOOR EDUCATION & RETREATS
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Camp Arbutus Hayo-Went-Ha (AHWH) is seeking an experienced, energetic, and mission-driven leader as our next Camp Director.
Job Description
Camp Arbutus Hayo-Went-Ha | Traverse City, Michigan
Lead a camp with more than a century of tradition and help shape its next chapter.
Camp Arbutus Hayo-Went-Ha (AHWH) is seeking an experienced, energetic, and mission-driven leader to serve as our next Camp Director.
Founded in 1914 and located on beautiful Arbutus Lake near Traverse City, Michigan, Camp Arbutus is a storied girls’ overnight camp built on more than a century of friendship, adventure, tradition, and personal growth.
Campers spend their summers unplugged and immersed in nature, living together in cabin groups, developing skills, building confidence and independence, and taking on progressively challenging wilderness adventures.
We are looking for a leader who understands what makes a great camp great, honors the traditions that make AHWH special, and sees the opportunity to help shape its future.
ABOUT YMCA HAYO-WENT-HA CAMPS
YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camps operates two single-gender overnight camps in Northern Michigan: Camp Arbutus Hayo-Went-Ha for girls and Camp Torch Hayo-Went-Ha for boys.
For generations, campers have experienced the friendships, traditions, challenges, laughter, independence, and connection to nature that define Hayo-Went-Ha Camps.
Our motto, “Each for All, All for Each,” reflects the community we strive to create, where everyone contributes, everyone belongs, and everyone has the opportunity to grow.
Our programs combine the traditions of classic overnight camp with progressive wilderness and adventure experiences through our Pathways to Growth.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Reporting to the CEO, the Camp Director provides overall leadership for Camp Arbutus and is responsible for creating an exceptional experience for campers and families while building a strong, healthy, and high-performing staff culture.
The Camp Director will lead year-round planning and summer operations across:
Camp program development and delivery
Wilderness and adventure programming
Staff recruitment, training, supervision, and development
Camper experience, enrollment, and retention
Safety and risk management
Budget and financial management
Facilities and operations
Family, alumni, volunteer, donor, and community relationships
Marketing, communications, and fundraising
The successful candidate will be equally comfortable sitting around a campfire with campers, coaching a counselor, talking with a parent, working with a donor, reviewing a budget, or making a critical operational decision.
Qualifications
WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR
We are looking for a leader who:
-Has leadership experience in overnight camp, wilderness, outdoor education, youth development, or a closely related field.
-Understands youth development and the power of camp experiences.
-Has experience with wilderness or adventure programming and a strong foundation in safety and risk management.
-Can honor longstanding traditions while embracing innovation and continuous improvement.
-Is an exceptional people leader, communicator, and relationship builder.
-Is organized, resourceful, financially responsible, and comfortable managing multiple priorities.
-Remains calm, thoughtful, and decisive in challenging situations.
-Enjoys being part of a camp community and leading from the front.
-Is passionate about helping young people grow through meaningful experiences in nature.
Candidates must be at least 25 years old and possess a valid U.S. driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
Essential Functions
Program and Camper Experience
-Lead and continually improve a dynamic overnight camp program for girls across multiple age groups.
-Create meaningful opportunities for challenge, skill development, confidence, independence, and personal growth.
-Oversee waterfront, climbing, ropes, wilderness, and other adventure programming.
-Ensure programs are properly planned, staffed, equipped, and operated safely.
-Use camper, family, and staff feedback to strengthen the experience.
People and Culture
-Recruit, hire, train, coach, and develop exceptional seasonal and year-round staff.
-Build and lead a strong summer leadership team.
-Create a culture of belonging, teamwork, accountability, responsibility, and service.
-Develop future leaders within the camp community.
-Safety and Risk Management
-Lead a comprehensive culture of safety across camp, waterfront, wilderness, adventure, transportation, and facilities.
-Maintain effective emergency response and risk management systems.
-Ensure compliance with applicable regulations and industry standards.
-Lead incident response, reporting, and follow-up when needed.
Operations and Financial Leadership
-Develop and manage the Camp Arbutus operating budget.
-Monitor financial performance and make responsible, sustainable decisions.
-Oversee food service, healthcare, office and store operations, maintenance, and other support services.
-Help prioritize facility and capital improvements.
-Maintain effective operational systems, schedules, records, and inventory.
Community and Relationships
Camp Arbutus has a community that extends far beyond the summer. The Camp Director will build strong relationships with:
-Campers and families
-Alumni
-Seasonal and year-round staff
-Volunteers
-Donors and philanthropic partners
-Community organizations
-Board members and other camp stakeholders
-The Camp Director will also help tell the story of Camp Arbutus and build excitement around its future.
Cause-Driven Leadership Competencies
WHAT MAKES THIS OPPORTUNITY SPECIAL
This is more than a summer camp director position. It is an opportunity to lead a camp with more than 110 years of history while helping shape its next 100 years.
Camp Arbutus has a deep sense of place, a loyal alumni community, passionate staff, beautiful facilities, and traditions that matter. At the same time, we are committed to strengthening the camper experience, investing in our people and facilities, evolving our programs, and ensuring camp remains relevant and accessible to the next generation.
The right leader will honor what makes AHWH special while helping us imagine what comes next.
Required Certifications
A bachelor’s degree in outdoor recreation, education, youth development, organizational leadership, or a related field is preferred, but relevant experience and demonstrated leadership are equally important.
Appreciated certifications but not required: First Aid, CPR, Lifeguard, and Wilderness First Responder