PROGRAM DIRECTOR- CAMP COURAGEOUS
At a glance:
- Lead 5 year-round department leaders
- Guide a seasonal team of approximately 50 staff
- Serve on the Executive Leadership Team
- Oversee year-round residential camps, respite, adventure, nature, special events, and partnerships
- Help shape the future of one of the nation's largest year-round camps serving individuals with disabilities
Benefits:
- Private Housing Available
- Full Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with no Employee Match Required
- Paid Holidays
- PTO & Sick Leave
- Leadership Development Opportunities
- Paid Professional Certifications
Responsible to: CEO
Department: Program
Classification: Full-time, year-round, exempt
Direct Reports: Day Program Supervisor, Evening Program Supervisor, Respite Manager, Adventure Coordinator, Nature Coordinator.
Extended Team: Approximately 50 seasonal counselors and program specialists
Team Membership: Camp Courageous Executive Leadership Team
Position Overview
The Program Director provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for the Camp Courageous Program Department and all year-round on-site camping programs for individuals with disabilities. This position is responsible for planning, developing, overseeing implementation, and evaluating programs while overseeing department operations, including staff leadership, program administration, UltraCamp management, communications, community partnerships, risk management, and compliance with organizational and American Camp Association (ACA) standards.
As a member of the Camp Courageous Executive Leadership Team, the Program Director shares ownership for the overall success of the organization, the advancement of the mission and vision, and the execution of the Camp Courageous Strategic Operating Plan. The Program Director serves as the primary administrative leader for the Program Department, ensuring effective communication, operational excellence, and high-quality, safe, and all abilities experiences for campers, families, caregivers, staff, volunteers, and partner organizations.
Above all, this role is measured by the strength of the team. The Program Director is expected to recruit, train, coach, hold accountable, and grow a department capable of delivering exceptional service, experiences, and care — every session, every camper, every family.
Scope of the Position
- Direct leadership of five year-round department leaders: Day Program Supervisor, Evening Program Supervisor, Respite Manager, Adventure Coordinator, and Nature Coordinator.
- Overall responsibility for a seasonal team of approximately 50 counselors and program specialists, including recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, supervision, performance management, recognition, and retention.
- Program portfolio spanning year-round residential camp sessions, respite services, day and evening programming, adventure and outdoor education, nature programming, special events, and partnership rentals, and Camp to You programming.
- Organizational leadership as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, contributing to strategy, budget, culture, and cross-departmental decision-making alongside the CEO and fellow leaders.
- Departmental accountability for exceptional program quality, camper and family satisfaction, safety and compliance outcomes, staff retention and development, and the achievement of Strategic Operating Plan objectives.
Executive Leadership Team Responsibilities
- Share collective ownership for Camp Courageous’ organizational success, financial health, reputation, and long-term sustainability.
- Advance the Camp Courageous mission and vision in every decision, and hold the Program Department to that same standard.
- Execute assigned goals and initiatives within the Camp Courageous Strategic Operating Plan, and report progress on a regular cadence.
- Contribute to organization-wide planning, policy development, budgeting, and problem solving, representing the needs of the Program Department while acting in the best interest of the whole organization through commitment to executive leadership team decisions.
- Model mutual accountability among peers — raising concerns directly, supporting decisions once made.
- Represent Camp Courageous professionally to families, donors, partner agencies, accrediting bodies, and the broader community.
Essential ResponsibilitiesLeadership and Team Development
- Recruit, hire, onboard, train, supervise, mentor, schedule, and evaluate Program Department staff while fostering accountability, professional development, and a positive team culture.
- Build and sustain a culture of trust, accountability, support, growth, and development across the department.
- Set clear performance expectations for all direct reports and seasonal staff; provide timely feedback, coaching, and correction; complete two seasonal evaluations for seasonal staff and annual reviews for year-round staff.
- Develop the five direct-report leaders into strong supervisors in their own right, building leadership capacity throughout the department rather than concentrating it in this position.
- Design and lead staff training, orientation, and ongoing professional development that prepares approximately 50 seasonal staff to serve campers with disabilities safely, confidently, and with genuine care.
- Recognize and celebrate strong performance; identify, develop, and retain high-potential staff and returning seasonal team members.
- Lead Program Department meetings, staff trainings, and weekly program planning and debrief sessions, including reviewing the past week’s campers and preparing for those arriving.
- Own seasonal staff retention and return rates as a core measure of departmental success.
Department Administration and Operations
- Serve as the central administrator and leader of the Program Department by coordinating information flow, establishing departmental priorities, delegating responsibilities, and ensuring all program operations are aligned across staff and departments.
- Manage the administrative operations of the Program Department, including UltraCamp administration, camper registrations and records, scheduling, program documentation, reports, as well as timely communication through email, phone, and other correspondence with campers, families, partners, and community organizations. Also including creating an overnight on-call schedule for weekl-long camps distributed among the four primary program positions.
- Develop, implement, and evaluate programs, department goals, policies, procedures, and annual operational plans that support the Camp Courageous mission.
- Coordinate the flow of program information and operational updates across all Camp departments, including timely notice of schedule changes affecting other areas.
- Demonstrate excellent organizational and project management skills by planning, preparing, and carrying projects through to completion.
Program Development and Delivery
- Provide strategic leadership and administrative oversight for all on-site Camp Courageous year-round programs and partnership rentals.
- Oversee the planning, scheduling, implementation, and evaluation of year-round camp programs, partnership rentals, special events, camper recruitment, and program growth initiatives.
- Grow the number of campers served while maintaining or improving program quality and safety.
- Plan and schedule holiday parties, festivals, and special events.
- Lead continuous program evaluation and quality improvement, using camper, family, and staff feedback to drive measurable improvement year over year.
Camper, Family, and Partner Relationships
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with campers, families, caregivers, schools, community organizations, agencies, and partner groups to ensure successful program delivery and exceptional customer service.
- Set and uphold the department’s standard for exceptional service, experiences, and care for campers, caregivers, and fellow staff.
- Develop and maintain relationships with special groups and partner organizations, coordinating program details for their weeks on site.
- Identify and prioritize prospective rental and community partners, and develop the camp rental program, including authorizing rental agreements.
- Support staff in responding to camper behavior challenges; review camper take-home reports.
Health, Safety, Risk Management, and Compliance
- Ensure the health, safety, and well-being of campers, staff, volunteers, guests, facilities, equipment, counselor reports, internal report, and program areas.
- Maintain and assist in overseeing program risk management procedures, emergency action plans, and compliance with Camp Courageous policies, state regulations, and American Camp Association (ACA) standards — including emergency readiness, drills, evacuation routes, safety manuals, behavior management, and transportation policies.
- Coordinate ACA accreditation, maintain required certifications and documentation, and ensure staff meet continuing education requirements.
- Maintain working relationships with local fire, police, and emergency medical services regarding site protocols and revisions.
Financial Administration
- Oversee the financial administration of Program Department operations by coordinating camper and group billing, week-long camp payments, partnership rental invoices, waivers, camperships, school groups, and financial documentation.
- Work collaboratively with the Chief Financial Officer to ensure accurate billing, reconciliation, reporting, and fiscal accountability.
- Participate in departmental budget planning and manage program resources responsibly, including securing in-kind donations for program use.
Organizational Citizenship
- Collaborate with all Camp departments to support daily operations, Camp-wide events, fundraising efforts, community outreach, and organizational initiatives.
- Exercises personal integrity in speech, actions, and intentions and promotes the same standard in individual staff, teams, and across the organization.
- Perform other duties as assigned in support of the Camp Courageous mission.
- Expected to participate in special camp events including omelet and waffle breakfasts as well as Pineapple Gala.
Leadership Competencies and Expectations
The successful candidate will consistently demonstrate:
- Sound judgment and decision-making. Makes timely, defensible decisions independently — often with incomplete information and real safety implications — and exercises discretion with confidential camper, family, and personnel matters.
- Commitment to exceptional service, experiences, and care. Establishes a superior standard for how campers, caregivers, and staff are treated, and reinforces that standard through training, feedback, and personal example.
- Culture building. Builds and fosters an environment of trust, accountability, forthrightness, support, growth, and development where staff know what is expected of them and where to go for help. Precision and clarity of expectations for staff roles.
- Servant leadership. Leads by serving, instructing, training, evaluating performance, recognizing contribution, and growing people.
- Collaboration and mutual accountability. Works across departments, shares ownership of outcomes, addresses issues directly and respectfully, and expects to be held accountable in return.
- Effective communication. Communicates clearly and consistently — verbally, in writing, and interpersonally — with staff, families, partners, and the leadership team.
- Continuous improvement. Objectively and honestly evaluates program, processes, staff, goals, and outcomes, and seeks feedback.
- Innovation. Embraces a solution state of mind and “opportunity in challenges” to develop a culture and camaraderie around finding new ways to provide exceptional service, experiences, and care for all of Camp Courageous.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Recreation Management, Education, Human Services, Nonprofit Management, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
- Minimum of three years of progressive leadership, supervisory, or administrative experience, preferably in a camp, recreation, education, nonprofit, or human services setting.
- Demonstrated experience directly supervising staff, including hiring, training, evaluating performance, and addressing performance concerns.
- Demonstrated experience leading a team of comparable size and complexity, including supervision of other supervisors.
- Experience working with individuals with disabilities.
- Demonstrated leadership, organizational, and project management skills.
- Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and make independent decisions.
- Strong customer service and relationship-building skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn and manage camp management software, including UltraCamp.
- Current First Aid and CPR certification, or the ability to obtain certification within six months of employment.
- Safety-Care Behavioral Management Training
- Ability to obtain required certifications, including Dependent Adult and Child Mandatory Reporter, Medication Manager (Iowa).
- Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record and the ability to safely transport campers, staff, and guests in Camp Courageous vehicles in accordance with Camp policies.
- Ability to pass all required background checks.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation or a closely related field.
- Five or more years of progressive leadership experience in an organized camp or year-round recreation program.
- Experience leading a management team and developing supervisors.
- Experience managing large seasonal workforces, including recruitment and retention strategy.
- Experience managing camp registration systems such as UltraCamp or similar recreation management software.
- Knowledge of American Camp Association (ACA) accreditation standards, risk management practices, and regulatory compliance.
- Experience developing community partnerships, coordinating special events, and working with nonprofit organizations.
- Experience with budget planning, resource management, and program evaluation.
- Experience contributing to organizational strategic planning and serving on a leadership team.
- Previous experience coordinating inclusive recreation or therapeutic recreation programs for individuals with disabilities.
- Current Water Safety Instructor (WSI), Lifeguard, Waterfront, or other relevant camp certifications.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
Camp Courageous operates year-round, largely outdoors. This position requires the ability to walk long distances over uneven terrain, stand for extended periods, tolerate a wide range of weather conditions, and lift and carry at least 50 pounds. Evening, weekend, and holiday hours are required, with extended hours during peak season.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
Camp Courageous is an equal opportunity employer. This job description outlines the general nature and level of work performed and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.
Pay: $65,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Relocation assistance
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Are you willing and able to lead a team of up to 60 staff annually?
- Please share your experience working with individuals with disabilities:
Education:
Experience:
- professional supervisory : 3 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
