Apple Scouts Day Camp Director

Join the Adventure: Apple Scouts Camp Director Wanted

Apply now to be part of the Apple Scouts team and shape the future of our young environmental stewards! No nights, no weekends!

About Us: Embark on a journey with Apple Playschools’ Apple Scouts program, a gender-inclusive, multi-age outdoor camp that believes in connecting every child to the wonders of the natural world. As part of the global movement to "rewild" childhood, our campers explore nature through hiking, building, creating, and playing in all kinds of weather. Apple Scouts explore their community by taking city busses to visit local businesses, playgrounds, museums, and the farmer's market. Campers grow alongside local flora and fauna, fostering meaningful experiences and trust-filled relationships that shape the environmental stewards and global citizens of tomorrow.

What’s set us apart:

• An active, dynamic work environment with lots of opportunities for fun, play, and silliness.
• A commitment to anti-bias practices in our work and play.
• Feminist/Humanist workplace.
• Direct, radical, and respectful communication, and strive to create space for rest and balance between family/community responsibilities and our work.
• Support from a dynamic, collaborative team of other directors - you're leading your team, but you are never alone.

Your Role: As a Camp director, your essential responsibilities will include:

• Program Visionary : Champion the quality of the Apple Scouts program with creative ideas, curricular support, enthusiasm, and outside-the-box thinking about children’s play and exploration
• Staff Coach & Manager : Oversee and provide daily direct support of camp staff to uphold quality standards of AP mission; develops, trains, and manages staff according to human resources best practices
• Financial Manager : Manage program budget to meet the financial goals of the organization; oversee purchasing, allocate resources wisely, and complete financial reports accurately and on time
• License and Compliance Manager : Oversee all site and program-related licensing and accreditation policies, procedures, and processes to ensure compliance and appropriate reporting; Oversee cleaning and maintenance of camp site and equipment
• Family & Admin Liaison : Oversee communication to families and the administrative team; support fundraising and friendraising efforts and events, advocate for children and staff

We are ready to help the Apple Scouts Camp director be successful in this role by connecting them to a local network of experienced camp professionals, providing a training manual and guide written by the previous director, ensuring support from our administrative team members, and providing a camp staff manual and past training resources that outline expectations, regulations, and procedures. Our last camp director said "This is the best job I have ever had!"

What You’ll Need – The Must-Haves:

• At least 21 years of age
• Have a minimum of 8 weeks of cumulative full-time experience working with a population similar to that which the camp serves
• Have a minimum of 4 weeks of full-time administrative experience in an organized camp or similar program.
• Committed to child-centered and risky play, outdoor and environmental education, and fun
• Demonstrates a strong understanding of child development, child-centered play, behavior management, and conscious discipline strategies
• Creative and effective problem-solver focused on equity, and able to make sound decisions under pressure; Ability and willingness to effectively communicate with diverse audiences
• Demonstrates direct and empathetic leadership and ethical conduct
• A strong and active interest in learning and personal growth, and supporting a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive organizational culture
• Able to pass background checks required by state licensing guidelines, including a Livescan fingerprint
• Current certification, or ability to be certified in Adult and Pediatric CPR/First Aid, as well as the Camp Health Officer certification provided by the Red Cross

What's In It For You:

• Start date is negotiable between April 1, 2026, and May 1, 2026. The seasonal position ends on September 8th, 2026. These dates are negotiable.
• $22-$25/hour, depending on experience and education
• Child care tuition benefit of up to $16,398/year (50% tuition discount) in any Apple Playschools program (pending space availability), or 33% contribution toward qualifying programs outside our schools through the Tri-Share program
• Paid holidays on Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the 4th of July, and Labor Day, and 2 long weekends over the summer.

If you are the ideal candidate, you:

• Are looking for a seasonal position starting in mid-Spring with room to grow into year-round leadership in our school-age or early childhood programs
• Are a collaborative, organized leader with great problem-solving skills
• Have demonstrated skills and experience with managing a team of at least 2-3 other people and with completing administrative tasks
• Have experience in camping, recreation, education, program management, environmental science, the arts and art making, or social services
• Share a commitment to radically respectful teamwork and the transformational power of progressive education opportunities
• Have a working knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practice for elementary-age children
• Are flexible, creative, and can demonstrate a track record of making ethical decisions independently in a fast-paced environment
• Are excited and able to work outside in all weather conditions during a Michigan summer
• Are available to work for the entirety of the camping season, early April to early September .

Ready to make a lasting impact? Join us on this adventure, where play, fun, and outdoor exploration create memories that last a lifetime.