Program Coordinator at Outdoor Adventure and Mythology Summer Day Camp
Title: Program Coordinator
Employment Status: Exempt/Seasonal
Company Summary:
Plato Learning operates outdoor mythology-based day camps for kids ages 6-15. They create a world where monsters, myth, and magic transport kids out of the mortal realm into one where they are empowered to develop new skills, take risks, solve problems, and ultimately become Heroes. Now in sixteen locations spanning from NYC to California, Plato Learning uses actors, live-action role-play, and physically and mentally engaging activities to bring myths to life.
Are you ready to join the team and accept our call to adventure?
Job Summary:
We are hiring energetic leaders, teaching artists, and adventure role models to serve as Program Coordinatorsat several camp locations. Program Coordinators are responsible for managing activities for campers of all ages and engagement styles that come to Plato Learning for our brand of physical game, story-based adventures, and energetic outdoor experiences. Additionally, Program Coordinators assist Camp Leadership with daily operations to keep Camp running smoothly.
Job Responsibilities
Engage the Demigod Campers. Lead and engage campers in activities that grow to meet their development with an enthusiastic tone. Program Coordinators understand that every camper is different, and creates multi-modal programming that will immerse and uplift every kid. They encourage campers to take risks, participate, and explore their own personal limits, while celebrating the heroic strengths they already possess.
Organize the Hero’s Journey. While the Camp Director organizes the camp schedule, the Program Coordinator is introduced to our camp activities in the pre-season and further develops them. In camp season, they adapt each activity to support the week’s adventure storyline, immersing campers and staff alike. They keep the scheduled activities exciting and running on-time through a quick-thinking and adaptive mindset.
Train Heroes to Lead.Program Coordinators help facilitate Counselor and CIT training, tasking them to lead activities with confidence through service-leadership, and come up with new ideas to keep programming running at its highest potential. Whether it is a core activity like sword training, or an elective like potions- Counselors are inspired to be enthusiastic leaders by following your exemplary spirit.
Be the “Call to Action”. We believe the best learning comes from serious play, and the Program Coordinator provides the Call to Action- organizing and leading large camp-wide activities, like the Olympics, or the Final Battle. They maintain the presence to keep large activities running safely and the enthusiasm to keep them fun.
Steel your Resolve. We are looking for courageous individuals who can lean into the challenges presented by our energetic all-outdoor environment. As Leadership Staff are the first people our Demigods look to in times of challenge and uncertainty, we are looking for courageous individuals excited by the discomfort in adventure, and who do not shy away from responsibility, in the heat of summer, or even when it is raining.
Rise to the Challenge.We believe that effective leaders prove their efficacy through action, and are prepared to handle challenging situations with kindness and readiness to help. They can resolve conflict in a constructive, uplifting, and non-punitive manner that redirects to engagement. The Program Coordinator, alongside the Camp Director builds morale and uplifts the team of Counselors and CITs by compassionately managing unforeseen circumstances with decisive clarity and a high level of initiative. The Management Team cares for the Campers and their team through service-leadership.
The Hours.
Approx 4-6 hours/week of remote training and prep-work from March-May to create the best season possible (program size informs weekly hours)
Facilitate 40 hour In-Person Training week, the week before each program’s start date
40-45 hours/week in-person at your camp location (our programs run between 5-10 weeks)
Camp Schedule: 7:30am-4:30pm; Monday-Friday (Campers present 8:45-4:10)
Camp does not operate on June 19th, or the week of July 4th, but we will have a training day TBD that week (not the 4th)
What abilities are we looking for?
Experience working with children K-8th in schools, after school programs or other structured capacites
Leadership Experience (or as we call it- Hero-Training) – previous programming experience a plus
Combines strong initiative, conflict resolution, and communication abilities with a team-player attitude
Effective organizational and problem-solving skills
Ability to physically and vocally command an outdoor space with positivity and engaging energy
Ability to maintain stamina and endurance over the course of the Camp Season
Ability to work part-time March through May/June (~3-5 hours per week), and full-time in Summer
A zest for play-based growth and development
Excitement about working in an outdoor fast-paced environment in the summer
Camp experience is a bonus, though not required
Courageous Commitment; we find that Program Coordinators benefit from a 2 year relationship with Plato Learning (at minimum). We find our Program Coordinators from a variety of places (school teaching, after school programming, children’s theater, coaching, camp counseling & leadership, etc).
Plato Learning would like to put forth this statistic. While men apply to jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the requirements, women and other underrepresented people often only apply when they match all criteria. Even if you don't meet every checkbox in the job description, but you think you have what it takes, we encourage you to apply.
Benefits and Compensation:
Compensation. A first year Program Director earns approx $7,000-$8,000 over the course 6 months, paid at $18/hour. This includes:
Pre-Season Work/Training (March-May): ~3-5 hours/week
During Camp and Staff Training Weeks: 40-45 hours/week for your program’s 5-10 weeks
Referral Bonus: $50 bonus for any referred applicants who are hired for a seasonal position, paid at the end of the season
Opportunity for Advancement.As Plato Learning grows, we’re continually looking within our talented seasonal staff to fill full-time opportunities within the company.
Community. Containing hundreds of creative-minded heroes, the Plato Learning network carries authors, podcasters, performers, dungeon masters, and many others ready to chat and create.
Available Summer Camp Locations:
Manhattan, NY; Maplewood, NJ; Philadelphia, PA; Washington DC; Richmond, VA; Los Angeles, CA
Please review the following website for more details about the start and end dates for the summer season by camp location: https://camphalfbloodbklyn.com/camplocations/
COVID-19 Notice: Our COVID-19 Policies and Procedures will be updated periodically to reflect all mandated state and federal health & safety regulations. All camps operated successfully in 2020, 2021 and 2022 will operate in-person in 2023. We do highly encourage staff to be up to date on their COVID Vaccinations.
Ready to Send an Application via Iris Message?:
Please visit https://camphalfbloodbklyn.com/careers/to fill out an application. Only candidates selected for an interview will be notified of next steps.
Hesitation of Hermes:
Not ready to apply? Connect with usfor future consideration
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $18.00 per hour
Benefits:
Referral program
Schedule:
8 hour shift
Monday to Friday
No weekends
Ability to commute/relocate:
New York, NY 10025: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person