Programming Assistant Director - NYC Summer Camp

Job Description

Job Description:\n\nTURN YOUR SUMMER INTO SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY – BECOME A SEASONAL PROGRAMMING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR WITH KIDS IN THE GAME! Empower Staff, Inspire Campers, and Build a Summer That Matters. Kids in the Game provides unforgettable day camp experiences for hundreds of New York children across Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and now Westchester & Jersey City! When you join the Kids in the Game summer camp leadership cohort, you’ll be part of a dynamic team of Camp Directors, Assistant Directors, and 275+ coaches running outstanding programming at our 13 summer day camps. THE KIDS IN THE GAME SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCE Kids in the Game camps are where sports, creativity, and community come together to shape confident, compassionate, and connected kids. Every summer, our camps across New York City, Westchester & Jersey City bring together diverse groups of children to explore new sports, build friendships, develop positive social skills, and learn how to be part of a team. Our camps offer kids a uniquely designed blend of sports and games, arts and crafts, STEM enrichment, field trips, swim activities, theme weeks, and all-camp special events to make every week the highlight of a child's summer. Each day is fueled by energy, laughter, and belonging. Our team of camp leaders, specialists, and counselors create an environment where every child feels seen, supported, and inspired to try something new. We believe camp is more than a summer activity — it’s a place where kids discover who they are and who they can become. As a Certified B Corporation, we're also on a mission to positively impact the lives of all of our stakeholders - campers, families, staff, community members, and our partners. We’re looking for Assistant Directors who want to inspire the next generation of leaders, model and build emotional intelligence, boost kids’ confidence, create tight-knit communities, and bring inclusive camp programs into communities across NYC, Westchester & Jersey City. Your Leadership Can Change the Game — Join Kids in the Game This Summer. PROGRAMMING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR ROLE & KEY TASKS As one of our Programming Assistant Directors, you'll report to the Camp Director and work closely with the Admin & Off-Site Assistant Directors to oversee and manage camp programming. You will lead all aspects of program design, lesson planning, daily and weekly scheduling, special events planning, and daily activity execution. This role ensures camp programming is high-quality, inclusive, developmentally aligned, and reflective of our organization’s mission of providing positive opportunities through sport and creative play. You’ll create the weekly schedules, support specialists and counselors in delivering lessons, and bring camp-wide theme days and events to life for campers. This role is deeply rooted in creative programming and activity design, building intricate daily and weekly schedules that include on-site and off-site activities, a strong background in sports and arts instruction, and a love for camp culture! As an Programming Assistant Director, your goal is to build a schedule of daily and weekly activities that are aligned with the Kids in the Game themes and required curriculum, enhance the programming with activities that are interactive and skill-building (and a ton of fun), exciting team challenges to promote community and sportsmanship, and inspire your team of specialists to make every day at camp a unique and positive experience for the campers. You’re also an on-site leader for the camp team, making sure the camp staff have the resources and information they need to be successful, and ensuring that we are fully complaint with Department of Health regulations and maintaining our safety procedures. We currently have 11 New York based camp locations with the possibility of a Queens camp. The sites and addresses are:Westchester & The Bronx:Westchester-Crestwood - 465 Westchester Ave, Tuckahoe, NY 10707Riverdale - 452 W 260th St, The Bronx, NY 10471Manhattan:Inwood - 532 W 215th St, New York, NY 10034Upper West Side - 147 W 70th St, NY, NY 10023West Village - 272 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014Chelsea - 259 10th Ave, New York, NY 10001Upper East Side (Carnegie Hill)- 980 Park Ave, New York, NY 10028Upper East Side (Lenox Hill) - 132 E 78th St, New York, NY 10075East Village - 215 E 6th St New York, NY 10003Brooklyn:Park Slope - 588 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215Greenpoint - 100 Dobbin St, Brooklyn, NY 11222Fort Greene - 39 Adelphi St, Brooklyn, NY 11205Queens - TBD You must be able to arrive by 7:30am daily via public transportation or personal transportation (car) and stay on-site until 5pm daily (and until 5:30pm twice per week to oversee after care activities). The Programming Assistant Director’s responsibilities include:Ambassadorship, Core Values & Camp CultureAmbassadorship: As a key “architect” of the camp day, you are not just facilitating programming—you are modeling what our mission looks like in action. Through your presence at rallies, transitions, and daily activities, staff and campers see the heartbeat of our camp experience. The way you structure the day, support staff, and activate themes communicates who we are as a camp that leads with purpose, play, and connection.Camp Culture: Programming is one of the strongest drivers of culture at camp. You help shape the tone of the day by designing activities that make campers feel excited, challenged, included, and proud to show up each morning. From theme days to group rituals to closing celebrations, you translate values into experiences that build belonging for both campers and staff.Ambitious: Always look for ways to elevate skill-building, increase engagement, and create more intentional moments of joy and growth. By continuously improving systems and lesson flow, you help your team deliver programming that feels thoughtful, dynamic, and memorable.Positive: As the lead of programming, your tone becomes the tone of camp. Bring energy into huddles, patience into transitions, and encouragement into problem-solving. Positivity helps staff navigate change and helps campers feel safe taking risks and trying new things.Committed: Successful programming requires preparation, follow-through, and ownership of the camper experience. Come ready each day with materials, plans, contingency strategies, and clarity for the team. Your consistency allows the camp day to run smoothly and gives staff the confidence to lean on your leadership.Inclusive: Ensure programming meets every camper where they are. That means adapting activities, modeling inclusive play, and supporting staff as they differentiate instruction. Make sure every child sees themselves reflected in the experience—regardless of skill level, identity, background, or comfort with the activities.Empathetic: Understand that behind every behavior is a need, and behind every need is a developing child. Lead with care when coaching staff through tough moments or helping a camper who’s overwhelmed or unsure. Prioritize emotional safety as much as physical safety—helping kids feel valued, capable, and understood.Programming & SchedulingImplement the Kids in the Game camp curriculum (weekly themes and daily activities in art, sports, STEM, and Early Childhood) in collaboration with the specialists and counselors.Build age-appropriate weekly schedules for each group (PreK–7th grade), balancing sports, games, art, creative play, STEAM, swim, and team time.Translate weekly theme guides into daily experiences that are fun, immersive, and developmentally aligned.Plan and coordinate weekly special programming (theme days, Friday showcases, Olympics, tournaments, talent shows, etc.).Ensure pacing, space usage, equipment needs, transitions, and staff assignments are clear and communicated in advance.Coaching & Specialist SupportConduct regular meetings with the specialists to review lesson planning expectations, daily/weekly schedule changes, and modify activities pending last minute changes (new campers, inclement weather, limited spaces, etc.).Lead special events and weekly activities (based on instructional needs) alongside a team of specialists.Guide specialists and counselors on lesson setup, camper engagement, time management, and behavior strategies.Conduct frequent walk-throughs and observations to provide realtime coaching and encouragement.Be a role model for specialists, counselors, and other camp leaders in how to engage with campers, and jump in to actively support activity rotations.Help staff differentiate activities for various age groups and abilities so every camper can participate fully; support them in adapting activities to different spaces around the camp site (e.g. classrooms, hallways, auditoriums, gyms, cafeterias, outdoor green spaces, parks, etc.).Camper Experience & Culture BuildingBring excitement and energy to morning and afternoon rallies, theme days, assemblies, and special events.Contribute positively to building camp culture by teaching camp cheers, team building games and activities, and camp rituals/traditions. Ensure all activities reflect Kids in the Game core values of positivity, empathy, commitment, ambition, and inclusivity.Foster camper participation and confidence-building — encourage trying new skills, teamwork, patience, and peer connection.Apply proactive behavior strategies rooted in emotional intelligence and youth development best practice.Actively engage with campers and staff throughout the camp day to build positive relationships and learn about their interests and needs.Safety & ComplianceConfirm equipment and supplies are available and prepped for each rotation.Check on setup and breakdown of activity areas and ensure they are safe and properly supervised.Uphold all DOH and camp safety protocols, especially around transitions, group management, and outdoor play.Implement and enforce all safety protocols—including camper supervision ratios, emergency procedures, and incident reporting.Support in leading staff training on emergency response, first aid procedures, and appropriate camper management techniques.Respond to behavioral, medical, or environmental incidents calmly and effectively; communicate outcomes with families and leadership.Maintain a culture of psychological safety—ensuring every camper and staff member feels physically and emotionally secure. SEASONAL WORK EXPECTATIONS & SUMMER SCHEDULEPre-Summer Work Expectations & Schedule Part time in-person & remote work from May to June dedicated to training, programming & schedule build out, specialist connections, & support in parent orientations.May to JuneWeekly hours:5-8 hours per weekRemote & office hours for completing Programming Assistant Director tasksDay time OR Evening hours for trainingRemote work & tasks:Attend specific Assistant Director meetings and check ins with our teamSupport in completing Assistant Director DutiesIf you are a Programming Assistant Director:Creating the weekly schedulesPreparing for weekly special eventsReviewing Camp Theme GuidesConnecting with your Specialists and Division LeadersSupport in answering parent questions or concernsSupport in answering parent questions or concernsAttend Camp Leadership meetings and check ins with your camp teamSupport in staff retention efforts and touch points with your support staffSupport additional camp marketingConnecting with families via call and emailParticipate in virtual or in-person camp fairs/events in the community and open houses. You will help to promote the camp and answer parent questions at these events.In-person expectations:Twice a month attend meetings with Camp Teams and work on weekly programming and schedules at our main office. Attend Camp Trainings and support in creating training materialsLeadership/All Staff/Camp Site Specific TrainingsCPR/First Aid/AED TrainingsAttend & Support all On Site Training Days for camp staff. 3 full days the week before camp begins. Times and Days TBDTraining requirements: New Hire OrientationTwo weeks after onboardingNew Programming Assistant Director virtual trainingsOnboarding & Permit Required Trainings:Anti Sexual HarassmentMandated ReporterAttend in-person Camp Field Day trainingSummer Camp Work Expectations & Schedule Camp Addresses:Westchester-Crestwood - 465 Westchester Ave, Tuckahoe, NY 10707Riverdale - 452 W 260th St, The Bronx, NY 10471Inwood - 532 W 215th St, New York, NY 10034Upper West Side - 147 W 70th St, NY, NY 10023West Village - 272 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014Chelsea - 259 10th Ave, New York, NY 10001Upper East Side (Carnegie Hill)- 980 Park Ave, New York, NY 10028Upper East Side (Lenox Hill) - 132 E 78th St, New York, NY 10075East Village - 215 E 6th St New York, NY 10003Park Slope - 588 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215Greenpoint - 100 Dobbin St, Brooklyn, NY 11222Fort Greene - 39 Adelphi St, Brooklyn, NY 11205 Summer Schedule:Dates: June 22 – August 28, 2026Includes pre-camp training and 7–8 weeks of camp operationsThere may be Saturday trainings during the month of JuneHours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM – 5:00 PMSupport at least 2 days of After Care per week (until 5:30 PM)Camp Size: 30–100+ campers, 10–30+ staff membersWeekly hours: 40 - 45 hours per weekFull-time, on-site work throughout the camp seasonAdditional time may be required for staff meetings or staff eventsRemote work & tasks:Review and respond to emails and inquiries Respond to internal messages through SlackIn-person expectations:Serve as the on-site program lead, ensuring all rotations are prepped and staff are set up for successAdjust schedules based on weather, camper needs, or group flowCoach staff throughout the day — from tone-setting to lesson engagementLead or co-lead special events and theme day activationsCommunicate program updates to camp families through the Camp Director & Admin Assistant Director Requirements Our ideal candidate would meet many of the following qualifications:Must have completed a physical exam and TB test within one year of the camp dates, pass NYS and national background checks, and be CPR, First Aid, and AED certified.Possess at least 2–3 years of professional camp leadership experience (e.g., Sports or Arts Head, Assistant Camp Director, Division Leader), including direct supervision of 5–10+ staff members.Demonstrate experience in planning and leading large-scale events, weekly themes and pre-designed curricula, and camp-wide programs, as well as youth program development, summer camp operations, and recreational programming.Demonstrate strong experience in curriculum design, activity planning, and program implementation across sports, arts, STEM, and creative play.Possess a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood or Elementary Education, Physical Education, Sports Management, Art Education, Child Development, or a related field; a Master’s degree in Education, Theatre Arts, General Arts, Sports Management, Educational Leadership, or a related discipline is a plus.Prior experienc