Our vision is to be the nation’s premier wilderness overnight camp, with pathways to growth and shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
Position Overview
YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camps is seeking a creative, collaborative, and experienced Senior Program Director to provide year-round leadership for camp programming and serve as a key summer leader at YMCA Camp Arbutus Hayo-Went-Ha in Traverse City.
Working closely with the Camp Director and senior leadership team, this position will help create exceptional camper experiences, recruit, train, and develop the program staff, strengthen, and ensure that camp remains a place of transformative fun, deep discovery, meaningful relationships, and personal growth.
During the summer, the Senior Program Director will serve as the senior program leader at YMCA Camp Arbutus Hayo-Went-Ha, working closely with the Camp Director and supervising program leadership and staff. The position will also provide program leadership and support at Camp Torch Hayo-Went-Ha as needed.
This is a hands-on leadership position that combines program development, staff supervision, camper experience, risk management, year-round programming, and innovation.
Year-Round Work Expectations
This is a full-time, year-round leadership position with responsibilities that change throughout the camp calendar.
Fall and winter will focus primarily on program development, staff recruitment, curriculum development, training preparation, community engagement, and year-round programming.
Spring will shift toward school programming (SUMMIT), staff onboarding, training, purchasing, facility readiness, camper recruitment, and final summer preparation.
Summer requires a significant on-site leadership presence, including evenings and weekends, with responsibility for program leadership, staff supervision, camper experience, and operational support.
Late summer and early fall will include Family Camp, Band Camp, group programming, program evaluation, staff feedback, and preparation for the following season.
Schedules and time off will be coordinated with senior leadership around major camp events and seasonal responsibilities.
Bachelor’s degree or comparable experience in camp leadership, education, outdoor recreation, youth development, or a related field.
At least three years of experience in residential camp, outdoor education, wilderness, or a comparable youth program setting.
Demonstrated experience supervising, mentoring, and developing staff.
Experience developing and implementing creative youth programming.
Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities across two camp locations.
Experience with adventure, wilderness, or outdoor programming preferred.
Ropes course certification or willingness to obtain certification preferred.
Valid Michigan driver's license and ability to meet YMCA driving requirements.
Ability to obtain required background clearances and certifications.
Ability to work extended hours, evenings, and weekends during summer and other peak program periods.
Commitment to the mission, values, traditions, and future of YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camps.
Leadership and Relationships
The Senior Program Director is a participating member of the senior leadership team and works collaboratively with both Camp Directors and other year-round leaders.
During the summer, the Senior Program Director supervises program leadership and staff, including Program Director, Division Leaders, Waterfront, and program support staff.
The Camp Director retains overall responsibility for the operation, safety, and management of Camp Arbutus Hayo-Went-Ha. The Senior Program Director serves as a close leadership partner, providing program leadership, staff supervision, and operational support, and serves as Assistant Director when acting in the Camp Director’s absence.
The position will also collaborate with the Torch Camp Director and program leaders to strengthen communication, consistency, resource sharing, and program quality.
Key Responsibilities
Summer Camp Leadership and Program Development
Partner with the Camp Director to create an exceptional, safe, inclusive, and engaging summer camp experience.
Lead and oversee summer programming at Camp Arbutus Hayo-Went-Ha, ensuring activities are intentional, creative, well organized, and developmentally appropriate.
Supervise, coach, and support program leadership and staff.
Strengthen the two-week residential camp experience through greater camper choice, progressive skill development, creative programming, and meaningful special events.
Develop and support curricula and resources for specialized activities and program areas.
Coordinate camp-wide programming, Super Saturdays, special events, and other experiences that strengthen the camp community.
Develop High Adventure Statements and clear program expectations.
Evaluate programs through camper, family, and staff feedback and continually improve the experience.
Support camper behavior management and staff leadership challenges.
Provide leadership coverage and support for the Camp Director when needed.
Staff Recruitment, Training, and Development
Partner with Camp Director(s) to recruit, hire, onboard, and develop summer program staff.
Develop clear job expectations, training resources, and program materials.
Lead off-season program staff communication, meetings, and preparation.
Plan and deliver program staff training in collaboration with Camp Directors and the broader staff training team.
Provide ongoing coaching, mentoring, feedback, and professional development.
Build a program staff culture grounded in teamwork, accountability, creativity, inclusion, and care.
Support broader summer staff recruitment and training efforts as needed.
Year-Round Programming
Serve as a primary program leader for retreats (i.e.Family Camp, Band Camp, Youth In Government, special events, and other year-round programs).
Coordinate program schedules, staffing, activities, equipment, and guest experiences.
Work with Building & Grounds and other departments to ensure program spaces and facilities are prepared and guest-ready.
Develop and maintain an annual programming calendar.
Identify opportunities to strengthen and expand year-round programs and community engagement.
Support adventure, wilderness, team-building, and ropes course programming.
Cross-Camp Collaboration and Resource Management
Work with leaders at both camps to share ideas, resources, equipment, training, and best practices.
Help establish consistent expectations for program quality, staff development, safety, and camper experience while honoring the unique character of each camp.
Coordinate program purchasing, equipment inventories, shared resources, and seasonal preparation.
Monitor program budgets and identify opportunities for responsible resource use.
Participate in Spring Spruce Up and other seasonal preparation efforts.
Risk Management and Compliance
Help maintain strong safety and risk management practices across camp programs.
Support accident and incident reporting, follow-up, and evaluation.
Ensure programs are delivered in accordance with Hayo-Went-Ha Camps policies, ACA standards, and Michigan licensing requirements.
Maintain required certifications and participate in required training.
Support a culture where safety, accountability, and care are shared responsibilities.
Community Engagement and Camp Promotion
Participate in camper recruitment rallies, parent events, community outreach, and other recruitment activities.
Represent Hayo-Went-Ha Camps with families, alumni, community partners, and other organizations.
Collaborate in promoting programs, special events, and the camp experience.
Support efforts to build stronger connections between Hayo-Went-Ha Camps and the communities we serve.
Leadership Expectations
The Senior Program Director is expected to lead with purpose, creativity, compassion, and accountability.
The ideal candidate will:
Build strong, healthy teams and relationships.
Communicate clearly and listen well.
Delegate effectively while creating ownership and accountability.
Navigate conflict constructively.
Make thoughtful decisions in a dynamic camp environment.
Champion inclusion, belonging, and the well-being of campers and staff.
Take appropriate risks in pursuit of innovation while maintaining strong safety practices.
Encourage collaboration and shared ownership across organizational lines.
Model the mission, values, traditions, and future direction of Hayo-Went-Ha Camps.