Director of Camp & Youth
Neil Klatskin Summer Camps
Description
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Kaplen JCC is seeking a Director of Camps & Youth to serve as the senior leader and head of JCC camping, holding overall responsibility for the quality, growth, culture, and success of its full camp and youth portfolio. In this role, the Director will lead, supervise, and develop the year-round team, establishing clear expectations, strong accountability, and a collaborative environment across agency departments. The position owns the camper, family, and staff experience while driving enrollment, retention, and operational excellence across traditional day camp, specialty camps, Start Up Nation, Inclusion, and year-round youth programming. Equally a forward-thinking visionary and an exceptional operator, this leader will challenge existing models to foster ongoing innovation in operations and programming. A key priority will be preparing for the opening and full utilization of the JCC’s new camp and programming facility—identifying cutting-edge offerings, optimizing space, and establishing strategic partnerships to firmly position the JCC as a premier destination for Jewish day camp and youth experiences.
About Neil Klatskin Summer Camps & Youth Programming:
Neil Klatskin Summer Camps offers traditional day camp programming for children 2yrs to entering 2nd Grade and various specialty camps for children entering 3rd-9th Grade. We aim to provide our campers and families with the most qualitive content.
Our camps are situated on an incredible 21-acre property. The campus features three heated pools, a water park and splash pad, sports fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, an exhilarating challenge course with zip line, and multiple playgrounds. Camp also has use of the indoor JCC facilities with dozens of air-conditioned classrooms, gyms, racquetball courts, a kosher, nut-aware kitchen, dance studios, and a theater.
Compensation
Requirements
Leadership & Camper Experience
• Establish the vision, culture and standards for an exceptional camper and family
experience across all camps and ensure widespread understanding and compliance.
• Lead, supervise, coach and develop the year-round Camp & Youth professional team
and senior seasonal leadership.
• Foster a culture of belonging, relationships, Jewish values, fun and personal growth.
• Maintain a visible presence throughout camp, including programs, staff, camper
engagement and overall camp culture.
• Ensure continuous improvement and innovation across camp and youth programs.
Enrollment, Retention & Growth
• Establish annual enrollment, retention targets with a growth mindset for a camp
operation serving approximately 650–700 campers.
• Develop and lead an annual outreach and recruitment strategy in partnership with
Marketing.
• Use data and feedback to identify opportunities for growth and strengthen camper
retention.
• Build strong pathways from JCC programs, particularly Early Childhood and year-round
youth programs, into summer camp and back into JCC school year programs.
Camp Inclusion
• Provide strategic oversight of the camp Inclusion program.
• Ensure inclusion is integrated throughout the broader camp experience and culture.
• Partner with Inclusion and Camper Care professionals to ensure appropriate camper
support, staffing, family partnership and staff training.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen and responsibly expand inclusion capacity.
Financial & Strategic Leadership
• Develop, manage and provide strategic and financial leadership for a Camp & Youth
portfolio operating with an annual budget of approximately $2.8 million.
• Monitor revenue, expenses, payroll and program performance.
• Evaluate all aspects of camp & youth for quality, demand, mission impact and financial
sustainability and growth.
• Identify new programs, partnerships and opportunities for responsible growth.
Agency-Wide Collaboration
• Collaborate across the JCC, including Early Childhood, Aquatics, Athletics, Performing
Arts, Special Services, Israel Center, Facilities, Security, Finance, HR, Marketing,
Development and Membership.
• Maximize agency expertise, facilities and resources to strengthen the camp experience.
• Partner with organizational leadership on evolving program and operational needs,
including future opportunities connected to the new & expanded camp building.
Safety & Family Leadership
• Maintain overall accountability for camp safety, regulatory compliance and emergency
readiness.
• Serve as the senior relationship leader for camp families and manage significant or
escalated concerns.
• Represent camp within the JCC and broader community.
QUALIFICATIONS & SPECIALIZED SKILLS
• Significant leadership experience in camp, youth development, education or a
comparable environment.
• Demonstrated success leading professional and seasonal teams.
• Strong understanding of camper experience, youth development and staff culture.
• Experience managing budgets and driving enrollment or program growth.
• Strong strategic, organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to inclusion, Jewish values and building a strong sense of community.
• Ability to lead through others while maintaining clear accountability.
BENEFITS
Complimentary JCC family or Individual membership
employee discounts on all programs, services and events
Generous paid time off (Note: To support camp operations, a PTO blackout period applies
during peak summer camp season, typically mid-June through late August), paid floating federal
holidays, paid Jewish holidays.
Health and dental insurance
403b employer contribution
FSA/HSA options
Life insurance
long-term disability
How to Apply
Please send cover letter and resume to Emilie Pulecio at: epulecio@jccotp.org