Kids' Camp Director

The National Havurah Committee is hiring a Kids Camp Director to coordinate our week-long  Childrens’ Program (Kids Camp) during our annual Summer Institute from August 3- August  9 near Baltimore, MD. We are looking for someone who can collaboratively create and oversee  a week of creativity, learning, laughter, and friendship! 

The National Havurah Committee (NHC) is a network of diverse individuals and communities  dedicated to Jewish living and learning, and community building. The NHC’s flagship program,  the week-long Summer Institute is a unique opportunity for engaging study, moving prayer,  spirited conversation, late-night jam sessions, singing, dancing, swimming, meditation, and  hiking – all in the company of more than 300 people from a wide range of backgrounds and ages. 

Kids Camp is a daily program from Tuesday-Friday (plus orientation) for approximately 40  children ages 6 months to 12 years. It embodies the values of the NHC community and creates a  community within a community for the NHC’s members. 

Read more about Summer Institute here: https://www.havurah.org/ 

Job Responsibilities 

Before Institute (work can mostly be done asynchronously, with the exception of a few  meetings.) 

• Selecting qualified counselors and assistant counselors to staff Kids Camp and assigning  them to groups 
• Creating and running a virtual orientation for Kids Camp counselors 
• Managing camp registration and communicating with parents/guardians in advance of the  Institute, including gathering pertinent information about kids and sharing it with Kids  Camp staff 
• Assigning placements to children and counselors in the Kids Camp 
• Creating a (flexible) schedule for each of 4 age groups for the week, including bringing in  other members of the community such as our artists-in-residents and others to run  programming, pool time, Director-planned activities, and counselor-planned activities 
• Plan at least 30 minutes of programming per day for each of the 3 older groups that  counselors and/or the director can implement 
• Working with staff and volunteers to develop curriculum/programming that reflects NHC  values and connects to the Institute theme.
• Coordinating logistics of the Kids Camp, including identifying necessary materials  (including craft supplies, baby supplies, and snacks) and other resources required  to accommodate the various needs of enrolled children 
• Working with the larger planning team to integrate the Kids Camp into the Institute as a  whole 

During Institute 

• Setting up the Kids Camp rooms before Institute and cleaning up afterwards • Running an orientation session for families 
• Supervising the Kids Camp while it is in session, including exercising judgment and  making decisions about the safety of the participants and staff 
• Supervising drop-off and pick-up 
• Leading daily staff meetings, checking in with counselors regularly, and ensuring that  morning and afternoon counselors are communicating with each other 
• Communicate with parents about schedules, child needs, rules, or anything else parents  wish to communicate about 
• Leading or supervising daily camp circle (or equivalent activity) for the whole group that  creates a container for Kids Camp 
• Coordinate with guest presenters and workshop coordinators to ensure that there are  enrichment activities for the kids 
• Organize the logistics of trips to the pool for Kids Camp as appropriate • Ensure that there is adequate staff at Kids Camp at all times, recruiting community  volunteers if necessary 
• Ensure that there is snack for the kids each day that meets the allergy needs of all  participants 

Qualifications 

• Background in children’s education and experience in a leadership or supervisory role or  with developing programming 
• Experience with informal education programs, informal Jewish education a plus. • Experience leading and supervising teachers/counselors/staff of various ages. • Experience being responsible for the health and safety of children participating in a  structured program 
• Strong organizational and communication skills. 

Characteristics 

• Caring, creative, able to connect with people of all ages. 
• Flexibility, ability to “think on your feet” 
• Sound judgment
• Strong organizational and management skills - This job requires more planning and  organizing than actually playing with kids 
• Passion for creative Jewish education 
• Knowledge of and respect for NHC and/or similar volunteer-driven communities. 

Compensation 

The Kids’ Camp Director receives and their immediate family members receive free room and  board at Institute plus a $2,500 stipend paid after Summer Institute.  

To apply 

Please send a resume and brief cover letter to [email protected] with Kids Camp Director as the subject line.