Title: Camp Director - Perlman Camp
Location: Northeastern United States
Summer - Lake Como, PA
Year Round - Northeast United States
Job Description
Are you someone who wants to make an impact? Do you want to work with inspired and like-minded professionals? Us too! We take our work very seriously, but we have fun doing it. And we’re searching for passionate, talented people to join the Perlman Camp team.
The Camp Director is ultimately responsible for all aspects of safety, recruitment, management, and customer services for their business and site. From childcare to staff training, the Camp Director’s team does it all. They are expected to work independently by having a firm grasp on the needs of their community and how to field parent questions, support the needs of a dynamic staff team, manage a budget, and engage with lay leadership.
We are seeking an experienced and charismatic individual to serve as the Camp Director of Perlman Camp. As the Perlman Camp Director, you will have the opportunity to carry on and shape the camp's culture, uphold its Jewish values, and create memorable experiences for campers and staff. Reporting to the President of Perlman Camp Board of Directors (BOD), you will work closely with the BOD as you oversee all aspects of camp operations, ensuring a safe, nurturing, and enriching Jewish environment for campers and staff. The Camp Director directly supervises the year-round camp team.
Year-Round Responsibilities
- Responsible for the development and implementation of a marketing, recruitment, and fundraising strategy that delivers on set budget expectations.
- Manage the full-time camp team tasked with implementing initiatives focused on our three key pillars: childcare, programming, and Judaics.
- Responsible for staff hiring, expectation setting, training, and evaluation
- Engage positively and effectively with current and prospective families
- Responsible for 300-acre campsite in Lake Como, Pennsylvania, including management of year-round staff team (food service and facilities), maintenance projects, and capital improvements
- Partner with the Board of Directors to ensure that major decisions align with the camp’s strategic priorities. Serve as the primary liaison between professional staff and Board of Directors.
- Travel for camper/staff recruitment, year-round events, and professional conferences.
- Develop and oversee the business management functions of camp, including financial record keeping, office operations, and insurance.
- Oversee fundraising and grant work, working closely with the Board of Directors and professional staff team.
- Oversee Perlman’s rental property, on camp grounds, which provides an important revenue stream to camp, and which is leased to BBYO, and continue to develop and grow the relationship between Perlman Camp and BBYO.
- Foster and grow relationships among all stakeholders of Perlman Camp, including donors and alumni, through collaboration with the board and community.
Summer-Specific Responsibilities
- Responsible for the health and well-being of all campers and staff.
- Supervise, train, and evaluate the health and wellness team (Health Center and Social Workers).
- Supervise, train, and evaluate the operations and facilities teams: maintenance, kitchen, and office.
- Provide stellar customer service to camp families.
About Perlman Camp
Formally, we’re a residential summer camp. Informally, we’re a passionate, driven group of people working together to make a real impact.
Perlman Camp exists to provide children with a safe, fun, and meaningful summer camp experience in a Jewish environment. We offer a close-knit and family-oriented atmosphere, which provides opportunities for each camper’s growth and development. Our traditional camp program, coupled with exceptional childcare, outstanding programming, and inclusive Jewish community provide the ultimate camp experience.
As Perlman Camp celebrates its 70th anniversary this summer, the camp continues its mission of providing a warm and welcoming Jewish community that fosters transformational and enriching summer experiences for our campers and staff. Staff, campers, and alumni describe Perlman as warm, inclusive, and their “summer home.” Drawing campers from all over the country but primarily the east coast, Perlman Camp currently offers a three-, four-, and seven-week overnight summer program for rising 2nd-12th graders.
Life at Perlman Camp is centered around the following Jewish values:
- Kehillah Kedosha – Sacred Community. By building and welcoming inclusive communities, we create caring places where each individual is valued and connected to one another.
- Nefesh Yehudi – Jewish Journey. By being open to self-exploration, discovery, and expressing our Judaism, we challenge ourselves to make Judaism personally meaningful and relevant.
- Ahavat Yisrael – Love of Israel. By deepening our understanding of Israel’s people, land, and history, we foster a passion for Israel as our Jewish homeland.
- Tikkun Middot – Jewish Values and Moral Compass. By applying Jewish values and striving to be good and ethical people, we make our world a more friendly and kind place.
- K’lal Yisrael – Jewish Peoplehood/Jewish Culture. By participating in Jewish life and embracing the diversity of our Jewish communities, we create a feeling of commitment and belonging to the greater Jewish people.
What We’re Looking For
- Team player, ability to work independently as well as part of a team, creative, proactive, persistent, enthusiastic, and fun to be around!
- Strong skills in presentation, leadership, and motivation with an ability to speak to both parents and children.
- The ability to inspire and motivate staff and campers.
- Budget and business management experience preferred.
- Proficiency and experience utilizing various forms of social media to communicate and connect with program participants
- Strong understanding of Jewish culture, traditions, and values, with a commitment to promoting Jewish identity and continuity.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree required, Master’s degree preferred.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in camp administration, youth programming, or a related field, with at least 2 years in a leadership role.
- Demonstrated experience in program development, staff management, and budget oversight.
- CPR/First Aid certification and a valid driver's license (or ability to obtain them).
- Willingness to live on-site during the camp season and work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed.
Compensation
The Camp Director is a full-time, year-round position. Compensation is $125,000 to $150,000, commensurate with experience. In addition to annual salary, the position offers financial incentives for meeting and exceeding key performance indicators.
In addition to salary, the position offers:
- Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays (Jewish and Secular)
- Healthcare and retirement benefits
- Professional development opportunities and subsidies
- Camper tuition reimbursement
- Casual dress – it’s summer camp!
- Opportunities for remote work during non-summer months.
To apply, please submit a resume, cover letter, and two professional references to the Perlman Camp Director Search Committee at [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. We thank all applicants for their interest in joining our team. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply. This is a full-time exempt position. The Camp Director reports to the Perlman Camp Board Chair. This role is based on-site in Lake Como, PA during the summer months. During non-summer months, this role can be located somewhere in the Northeast in a remote and/or hybrid capacity. Some travel is required.