Summer Camp Activity Manager NYC

Job Description
Program Dates:

June 10 - August 17, 2026

Job Description

The Activity Manager reports to the Center Director and will be responsible for organizing off-site excursions and on-campus activity programs, ensuring their successful implementation by supervising and supporting a team of activity counselors. In addition to the duties related to the excursion program, you will be engaged in residential and administrative duties to ensure the smooth running of the camp.

Your key tasks will consist of but not be limited to:

Excursions and Activities

Preparation:

• Make new bookings to excursion sites, confirm or make changes to existing bookings.
• Plan on-campus activities, supervise staff/students, and ensure student satisfaction.
• Prepare weekly excursion schedules and daily itineraries and deliver them to Activity Leaders in advance.
• Make changes to excursion schedules according to staff strengths/weaknesses/experience/preferences, the weather, and client feedback.
• Supervise staff in preparing for excursions/activities (information/directions/files and backpacks/meal arrangements, etc.).
• Ensure all participants have credit cards available for off-campus dinners, if applicable.
• Supervise departures for excursions and solve any problems.
• Keep students/chaperones updated on their excursion program/time/meeting points, etc.

During Excursions/Activities:

• Monitor and frequently check in with staff to make sure they are following the approved itinerary.
• Respond promptly to staff and chaperones. Solve problems or emergencies that arise during excursions.
• Liaise between Activity Leaders and chaperones if any disagreements arise.

After Excursions:

• Seek feedback from excursion and activity counselors.
• Check out staff for the day (collect pictures and videos, travel cards, receipts, credit cards, and change).

Meals

Off-Campus Dinners:

• Research and build a database of cafés and restaurants within our budget for off-campus dinners, make reservations and payments, whenever required.
• Solve problems related to meal/gift cards that do not work.

On-Campus Deliveries

• Ensure there are enough food/drink supplies and dinnerware.
• Order and pay for deliveries.
• Allocate admin staff members and instruct them and excursion staff on how to handle food deliveries.
• Supervise and make sure each dinner goes smoothly.

Team Support and Supervision:

• With the help of the Center Director, review, edit, and update the YES USA current Operations Manual for excursion staff with sufficient details.
• Lead training sessions for the excursion team.
• Run regular staff meetings to provide up-to-date excursion information.
• Supervise, guide, and monitor staff.
• Evaluate staff performance and report ongoing findings to the Center Director daily.
• Create a positive atmosphere and motivate effectively, offering praise and recognition whenever possible.
• Establish and maintain team discipline.
• Supervise admin staff and evaluate their performance related to the excursion program and excursion meals.

Student Supervision:

• Act in loco parentis to ensure and maintain student discipline, welfare, safety, and security whenever in contact with students.
• Ensure that the YES USA team maintains appropriate standards of student supervision both during excursions and on campus.
• Program Quality Control and Customer Service
• Ensure the quality and high standards of the excursion and activity program by regularly observing and taking part.
• Review and suggest improvements to the current excursion program.
• Ensure a high level of customer satisfaction with the daily excursion and activity program.
• Collect feedback (including informal) from students and chaperones and follow up on it to ensure their happiness.
• Conduct daily meetings with chaperones (respond to their questions, address changes to the program, etc.) and ensure their satisfaction.

General Administrative:

• Keep track of daily excursion program records (instructions, expenses, etc.).
• Collect and submit any original payment receipts to the management team.
• Maintain and protect YES USA excursion resources and equipment (including MetroCards, YES USA T-shirts, etc.). Collect them from students and staff.
• Complete additional administrative tasks assigned by the management team.

Residential Duties:

• Assist in preparing for arrival/departure days (e.g. room inspections, welcome packets, new student orientation, and campus tour, etc.).
• Help new students check in and settle in.
• Assist Center Director with student orientations for new arrivals and graduation ceremonies for departing students.
• Work with Center Director to ensure we have facilities booked for on-campus activities, etc.
• Deal with university representatives to solve any issues or complaints in a positive manner.
• Supervise and assist the team with on-campus supervision of students in the evenings, including room checks, linen exchange, etc.
• Help students and chaperones with questions, requests, room lockouts, and emergencies.
• Make sure that residence hallways and common areas are clean and report any problems.
• In case of an emergency, be accessible and available to help outside of the regular working hours.

Miscellaneous:

• Assist and stand-in for the Center Director when needed.
• Help the Center Director with any staffing issues (e.g. look for Activity Leaders, train new staff, etc.)
• Help with non-excursion duties (meals, student sicknesses, linen exchange, mid-stay cleaning, etc.), if needed.
• Lead excursions in case of emergency.
• Answer phone calls including emergency calls/WhatsApp calls and messages.
• Assist with any questions, problems, and reasonable requests.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree minimum.
• Familiarity with camp location.
• Previous experience as Summer Camp managing excursion and activity counselor.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States.

Qualities:

• Strong leadership qualities, including the ability to inspire others.
• Effective people management skills.
• High level of responsibility and authority.
• Strong organizational and administrative skills.
• Independence, strong problem-solving skills, and proactive behavior.
• Strong customer service ethic.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and maintain a positive, constructive demeanor in clients' presence even when problems and emergencies arise;
• Flexibility in terms of work assignments.

Application Procedure:

Prior to offering a job to selected candidates, YES USA will:

• Complete a reference check (names and contact details of three references are required).
• Run a background check.

Upon signing a job offer, successful candidates will be required to:

• Submit a copy of your university diploma along with other new hire paperwork.
• Attend orientation training sessions prior to employment.

Hours:

This role requires a high level of flexibility and availability throughout the camp to respond to the dynamic demands of our program. Hours may be varied and intensive, reflecting the needs of the camp schedule. While one day off per week is offered, it will be coordinated with the center director based on the excursions/activities calendar, ensuring availability on busier days.

Weekly commitment: 60 hours.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Housing in a single room in a shared university dorm is provided during the camp.

New York: $1,330 - $1,530 per week (housing provided)