Job Summary:

The Wilderness Camp Executive Director is responsible for delivering high-quality wilderness programs for youth, families, and adults. This role includes overseeing daily operations to ensure organizational efficiency, developing strategies for financial sustainability, and marketing the organization to secure funding. In partnership with Program Directors, the incumbent recruits, hires, trains, and supervises a diverse and high-performing seasonal staff team. The incumbent sets the strategic direction for the camp, achieves annual fundraising goals in collaboration with the Mission Advancement team and the volunteer Community Council, and has oversight of all programs, facilities, and land management. Ensuring a safe, enriching environment for campers, promoting the organization’s core values, and maintaining productive relationships with the board of directors are crucial aspects of this role.

Essential Functions:

• Supervise the camp operating team, including Program Director(s) and Property Manager. 
• Oversee the recruitment, hiring, training, and supervision of a seasonal staff of 60+. 
• Communicate directly with program supervisors, full-time, and seasonal staff to build skills and achieve individual and location goals. 
• Oversee expedition program quality, risk management, and camper and staff satisfaction. 
• Ensure high-quality outdoor education, team-building, and retreat programs. 
• Deliver programming in leadership development, progressive skill development, and social-emotional learning. 
• Perform daily operations of camper services, including risk management, crisis response, and facility excellence. 
• Support and engage in vendor relation management for program success. 
• Manage the budget, including making fiscally responsible decisions, developing site-based business plans, and setting strategic direction. 
• Conduct annual reviews of part-time and full-time team members. 
• Develop and implement strategies for recruiting and retaining a diverse seasonal workforce. 
• Maintain accurate records related to participant health and team member performance. 
• Evaluate the camp’s programs on an ongoing basis with input from stakeholders, including team members, community partners, participants, campers, parents, and volunteers. 
• Provide risk management oversight for field programs, including compliance with required training, policy review and updates, emergency response, management of evacuations, camper behavior challenges (including family contact), and incident reporting. 
• Exercise judgment and independent decision-making aligned with the adventure/camping vision. 
  In collaboration with Program Directors, oversee all programs and work with the marketing team to promote trips, reviewing and adjusting offerings as needed. 
• Achieve fundraising goals, including Annual Fund, capital campaigns, and endowments. 
• Collaborate with Association departments to set direction and achieve goals in People and Culture, Risk and Enterprise Management, Mission Advancement, Marketing, Technology, and Adventure leadership. 
• Serve as an engaged contributor on the broader Y Adventure and Y of the North leadership teams to pursue common goals. 
• Maintain relationships with industry professionals to support program development and team member continuing education. 
• Ensure compliance with American Camp Association accreditation standards and Department of Health Standards. 
• Partner with the Community Council Chair to implement and carry out their chart of work.

Relationships:

This position reports to the Vice President of Camp Operations and Adventure, who reports to the Executive Vice President of Operations and Finance. The incumbent interacts regularly with camp participants, guardians, alumni, the general public, donors, seasonal staff, and volunteers.

 Qualifications:

• Experience supervising wilderness programs. 
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience. 
• Minimum of three (3) years of management experience, including supervision and budget management. 
• Progressive programming and management experience in an outdoor wilderness tripping environment. 
• Willingness to live on-site in camp-provided, rustic housing during summer program months. 
• Willingness to travel seasonally to camp during fall, winter, and spring to support on-site programming. 
• On-call 24 hours a day for four months of the year to ensure safety and Emergency Action Plan protocol. 
• Critical to day-to-day operations and decision-making. 
• Demonstrated skills in supervision, organizational systems, camping program development, wilderness risk management, fundraising, and financial management. 
• Demonstrated skills in customer service, communication, leadership, and group work with adults, teens, and children. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite, including Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams.

Competencies:

• Volunteerism 
• Philanthropy 
• Inclusion 
• Developing Self & Others 
• Emotional Maturity 
• Critical Thinking & Decision Making 
• Communication & Influence 
• Engaging Community 
• Functional Expertise

Work Conditions:

• Must be able to work on a computer for an extended period. 
• Must regularly travel locally for meetings, training, and special events. 
• Must be able to lift 80 lbs.   

Additional Notes: 

This job description represents the major functions of the position but is not intended to be all-inclusive. The incumbent is responsible for taking direction from the VP of Camp Operations or their representatives in completing projects or performing duties necessary for the branch or Association’s success. 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pledge 

The Y of the North is committed to eliminating disparities and unjust systems to become a multicultural, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive organization. YMCA of the North team members and volunteers must exemplify the association’s mission, vision, and values of caring, equity, honesty, respect, and responsibility. 

The YMCA of the North will continually review and develop strategies to ensure our team members and volunteers reflect the communities we serve. We will conduct ongoing reviews of our policies, procedures, and practices in recruitment, selection, compensation, benefits, professional development, training, promotions, transfers, layoffs, terminations, and the ongoing development of a multicultural, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive work environment and culture that promotes equity and respect for all. 

Human Skills 

• Ability to relate and build positive rapport with a wide constituency, including young adults, seasonal staff, alumni, donors, government agencies, parents/guardians, and community partners. 
• Work on cross-functional teams within Y of the North and Y Adventure Team. 
• Adaptable, life-long learner. 
• Self-aware. 
• Time Management. 
• Wilderness Advocate. 

Notes on Remote/Hybrid Work 

This role can be hybrid during the non-summer seasons, with expectations to be in person for meetings on occasion in the Twin Cities Metro area. In the summer months from May-September the incumbent would be required to be on property for wilderness programming.