Associate Camp Director

The YMCA of Upper Palmetto (YUP) is a vibrant, 13-branch association serving three counties across the Upstate and Piedmont regions of South Carolina—just south of Charlotte, NC. Our association includes a diverse mix of executive storefront YMCAs, community partnership locations, flagship branches, and a resident camp.

As a mid-sized YMCA association headquartered in Rock Hill, South Carolina, we are proud to serve growing, family-friendly communities that offer an exceptional quality of life. The region enjoys four distinct seasons, mild winters, and convenient access to both the mountains and the coast. The mountains are approximately an hour north, while Charleston and South Carolina’s beaches are just a few hours to the south.

The area offers a wide variety of living options, from scenic rural communities to modern planned neighborhoods. It is also home to Winthrop University and numerous healthcare providers. The Fort Mill and Clover school districts are among the highly regarded school systems in South Carolina, making the region an attractive place to live, work, and raise a family.

Camp Cherokee

The YMCA’s “Camp Cherokee” is a traditional resident camp that offers summer programing, as well as school-year retreats and facility rentals.

Camp Cherokee has a storied history dating back to 1945. Many of the camp’s original buildings were constructed by volunteers from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a New Deal-era program established during the Roosevelt administration.

Today, Camp Cherokee is situated within the beautiful natural surroundings of Kings Mountain State Park in Upstate South Carolina. The camp is surrounded by thousands of acres of protected parkland, providing an exceptional setting for outdoor recreation, camping, retreats, and youth development.

Position Purpose: 

To further the mission of YMCA Camp Cherokee through the development and management of program, human resource, and strategic operations. Design and deliver program activities that are safe, fun, and appropriate to the campers’ age and abilities.  Assist in the management of the overall camp operation at the direction of the camp director.

Essential Job Functions:

Design, deliver, and evaluate camp program that meets the needs and interests of the camps target populations and ensure their delivery in a safe and quality manner. 

• Remain current with information on the developmental needs of youth.
• Annually seek and analyze input from youth, families, and staff regarding the quality, safety, and enjoyment of the program and staff.
• Develop and implement crisis and risk management procedures.
• Design and ensure delivery of programs and activities appropriate to the camper population.

Implement human resource management practices to assist with recruiting and retaining seasonal staff.

• Recruit staff based on camper enrollment and program management requirements.
• Interview, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate seasonal staff.
• Assist in the management of seasonal staff on-boarding processes. 

Assist with the daily operation of the summer resident camp including program, camper and staff, food service, and health care.

• Secure sufficient coverage in health care staff and their implementation of the plan.
• Ensure quality coverage of kitchen staff and food quality. 
• Manage equipment inventory, ordering and condition inspections on all programming materials. 
• Work collaboratively with internal and external groups to ensure the enhancement of the camp operation.
• Ensure a consistent, quality program is delivered weekly.
• Oversee bridge weekends and ensure policies and procedures are followed week after week.
• Ensure lesson plans are prepared and implemented that meet camp outcomes and the abilities of the campers.
• Evaluate program delivery abilities of staff.
• Deliver progressive program activities.
• Evaluate the success of the program and the development of the campers’ abilities and skills in various program activities.
• Coordinate all camp program activities with other staff.

Manage YMCA Camp Cherokee’s Conference and Retreat Program.  

• Recruit outside user groups to attend YMCA Camp Cherokee during weekends and off season periods.   
• Responsible for providing excellent customer service to all groups – including lodging, meal services and specialized programming.          
• Providing an on-site contact for Conference and Retreat groups.

Ensure compliance with all safety, risk management, and child abuse prevention standards.         

• Follow employees and volunteers screening requirements and use screening instruments to screen for abuse risk. 
• Provide employees and volunteers with on-going supervision and training related to abuse risk management
• Ensure there is a positive culture for responding and reporting for employees and volunteers
• Provide employees and volunteers with regular feedback regarding their boundaries with youth.
• Require employees and volunteers to adhere to policies and procedures related to abuse risk and prevention.
• Respond quickly to policy and procedure violations using the YMCA’s progressive discipline policy.
• Respond seriously and confidentially to reports of suspicious and inappropriate behaviors. 
• Follow mandated reporting requirements. 
• Communicate to all employees and volunteers the YMCA’s commitment to zero tolerance of abuse to youth. Report essential abuse risk management information to the board of directors. 
• Responsible for ACA visits every 5 years, including the annual AAR, SOC and fee payments.
• Must keep all records of standards up to date and ensure that policies and procedures reflect actual daily routine.

Maintain and assist YMCA Camp Cherokee’s digital platforms.

• Assist in creating “up to date news” newsletters for the YMCA Camp Cherokee and CCC audiences.
• Maintain consistent social media posts related to YMCA Camp Cherokee for Facebook and Instagram.
• Oversee Social Media Director position (along with other program positons) during resident summer camp season.
• Assist with on-going updates and additions to YMCA Camp Cherokee website. 
• Create and publish other YMCA Camp Cherokee program marketing materials – print and digital. 

 Other Job Duties:

• Participate in staff meetings as well as have open communication with all staff.
• Work independently and with groups.
• Manage a diverse and dynamic staff, as well as recruit volunteers for special projects and events.
• Assist Camp Directors with other programs when deemed necessary.

Residence Requirements:

• Associate Camp Director is required to live on-site in the provided living quarters
• Lodging comes as no expense, with all utilities (electricity, water, internet, etc.) paid for by the YMCA
• Must abide by the YMCA’s current Camp Cherokee staff living quarters policy