Childcare Director

Who We Are

Camp Tel Yehudah’s dynamic program of experiential education, activism, and leadership development connects teens to Israel and Judaism. As Young Judaea’s national teen leadership camp, we are a community dedicated to fun, friendships, learning, and social action. Located on 150 beautiful, wooded acres on the banks of the Delaware River in Barryville, New York, Tel Yehudah draws campers and staff from all over the United States, United Kingdom, Israel, and the world.

About the Position

The Childcare Director oversees Tel Yehudah’s childcare program (The Gan) for the children of staff and faculty who are not yet old enough to live in a bunk. The Gan serves children ages 2–10. Programming runs from breakfast through dinner, with a rotating evening schedule that includes coverage for a small until 11:30 PM. The Childcare Director is responsible for supervising the gan staff in creating a nurturing, engaging, and safe environment for children that allows staff parents to be fully present in their camp roles.

Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare activities and curriculum for the Gan program integrating Jewish and Israeli culture when possible
• Serve as the primary liaison with parents — ensure they have the necessary information about the daily schedule and address any concerns or issues that arise
• Regularly evaluate the performance of Gan staff, following Tel Yehudah’s policies for staff evaluation
• Ensure the Gan space is kept organized, clean, and developmentally appropriate for children ages 2–10
• Coordinate with other Leadership Team members about Gan activity periods and cross-camp programming
• Build and manage the rotating evening coverage schedule, ensuring equitable distribution of evening shifts among Gan staff
• Oversee evening child care through 11:30 PM (on call to support gan staff person assigned to that evening)
• Whenever possible, incorporate Gan staff’s individual skills and talents into program planning and leadership
• Attend meetings as a member of the camp’s Leadership Team and serve as a role model for all staff

Schedule

The Gan operates on a full daily schedule with the following expectations:

• Daily coverage begins at breakfast and runs through dinner
• Programming includes a mix of activities run by Gan staff and participation in camp specialty areas
• Evening coverage rotates among Gan staff, with shifts running until 11:30 PM
• The Rosh Gan is responsible for building and managing the rotating evening schedule fairly among staff

Qualifications

• Strong background and experience in camping, education, and/or related fields
• Experience working with young children (ages 2–10)
• Evidence of leadership skill and capacity
• Desire and ability to work with both children and adults in a camp setting
• Ability to creatively plan and schedule programs and activities, and to maximize the skills and talents of staff members
• Ability to give and receive constructive feedback
• A college graduate or comparable experience
• Must be a self-starter and able to work with minimal supervision
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, manage, and support staff

Compensation

• Room in staff housing and board provided
• Salary Range: $2000-$10,000 commensurate with experience
• Dates: June 1-July 22 (start date is flexible)