Day Camp Director - Apachi Weinger (Seasonal)

As the director for the Apachi Weinger Camp, the Director is responsible for implementing and overseeing the Weinger Day camp which serves a robust Jewish community.  The director is responsible for carrying out programming and community building that will provide campers and families with unlimited opportunities in a safe and nurturing environment.  The Day Camp Director serves as a leader within the Agency by developing strong relationships with colleagues, community members and lay leaders.

At JCC Chicago, we are focused on growing good kids, building communities, and educating ourselves on the past to make a difference for the future. The largest JCC in North America, JCC Chicago offers a life-affirming journey that builds on the richness and power of Jewish values and continues to reimagine them for a more connected, inspired community. JCC Chicago is an equal opportunity agency that offers career opportunities, internships, and volunteer roles for all.

Key areas of responsibility:

Leadership & Strategy:

• Champion the spirit and mission of JCC Chicago, verbally, in writing, and through demonstrated action.
• Maintain and grow JCC’s reputation as a leader in the day camping industry.
• Operate as part of a larger JCC team that shares one agency vision & mission.
• Communicate agency mission and impact and ensure staff understand and integrate these into their program development and delivery.
• Collaborate with instrumental and key players in Day Camping.
• Collaborate with Apachi Village Northbrook Day Camp director on matters involving both camps.

Building of Program/Business

• Develop and implement summer communication and stewardship for camp families.
• Maintain an inclusive camp environment, for campers and staff alike, rooted in Jewish tradition and values.
• Work with the JCC Chicago Early Childhood at Weinger JCC to form relationships with the families and steward them from the EC camp program to children’s camp program

Operations:

• Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of existing programs and adjust or determine new courses of action as needed.
• Ensure compliance with all licensing requirements and make certain that all program environments are safe, secure, and clean.

Building of Team:

• Build, develop and manage a team that can meet the goals and that fits well with the culture that the JCC aspires to achieve.
• Work with the HR Business Partner to develop and implement a vision and strategy for staff recruitment.
• Screen and interview applicants including face to face, Zoom and phone interviews.
• Create and implement plan for year around connection and communication with existing staff.
• Develop and facilitate staff training during orientation and throughout the summer.

Building Customer Relationships:

• Provide quality and responsive communication to prospective, new, and returning camper families to ensure the highest level of customer service.
• Proactively identify and respond to challenges or questions related to a camper’s experience.
• Provide a community where children and parents feel they are safe physically and emotionally.

Key Essential Job Duties/Physical Duties:

• Lift/move children up to 40 lbs.
• Demonstrate physical stamina and agility required to be mobile for long periods throughout the day.
• Stand for long periods of time and be able to run and actively engage physically with children.
• React with physical and mental alertness in emergency situations.
• Use hands for grasping equipment and play material.
• Supervise children by sight and sound.
• Must be able to rotate head side to side to scan the environment.
• Ability to demonstrate, motivate and communicate with children and adults.
• Ability to speak clearly and articulately with a loud tone of voice.
• Mental alertness; sustain concentration for long periods of time.

Days/Hours/%Travel: 

Full time from May to August; does require flexibility to be available some nights in the summer

Direct Reports (titles and FTE%):

1 Program Director (.2 FTE)

1 Aquatics Director (.25 FTE)

Indirect Reports (titles and FTE%):

12 counselors (9-11 FTE)

Job Category:
Management

Compensation:

$10,000 - $11,000 stipend annually
(seasonal position -- 5 - 10 hours per week starting April 2026, then full time schedule May - August 2026)

Education Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Recreation, Business, or related field.

Experience:

• 5 years previous supervisory experience in a camping environment (day camping experience preferred).
• Demonstrated success building new and expanding upon existing program areas that led to customer engagement and meeting of business goals.
• Previous experience working as a member of a management team.

Other Requirements:

• Ability to demonstrate and lead with JCC Chicago’s Four Core Values: Self-Leadership and Accountability, Creativity and Innovation, Teamwork and Collaboration, and Customer Service.
• Highly developed skills in business acumen, verbal and written communications, conflict management, listening and decision making.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Jewish culture and values.