Creative Arts Director

Position Summary: At Camp Bauercrest, creativity is more than an activity. It's an opportunity for boys to discover new interests, develop practical skills, express themselves, and experience the pride of creating something with their own hands. As Creative Arts Director, you'll lead our arts and crafts, ceramics, and woodworking programs, helping shape a creative experience that encourages imagination, builds confidence, and gives campers opportunities to succeed beyond the playing fields. You'll oversee the planning and daily operation of our creative arts programs, develop engaging projects, and supervise and mentor staff assigned to these areas. From canvas painting, printmaking, and mixed-media art to hand-built pottery, clay sculpting, and woodworking projects like ping-pong paddles, knock hockey sets, games, and small furniture, you'll have the opportunity to introduce new ideas and help campers bring their creativity to life. We want you to bring your own artistic interests and expertise to Bauercrest, developing projects that are exciting, age-appropriate, and increasingly challenging as campers grow. Your leadership will help make our creative arts program more than a collection of individual projects. You'll develop opportunities for campers to learn new techniques, build on skills throughout the summer, and take on more ambitious work as they gain experience. Whether a younger camper is discovering how to work with clay for the first time or an older camper is designing and building a woodworking project from start to finish, you'll help create experiences that encourage patience, problem-solving, independence, and pride in their accomplishments. At Bauercrest, you'll do more than oversee arts and crafts, ceramics, and woodworking. You'll help boys discover talents they didn't know they had, develop confidence through hands-on learning, and create something they can proudly call their own. Those experiences, and the memories that come with them, can last a lifetime. What You'll Do: As Creative Arts Director, you'll lead one of Bauercrest's most imaginative and hands-on program areas. You'll oversee our arts and crafts, ceramics, and woodworking programs, develop and mentor staff, and create opportunities for campers to explore their creativity, learn new techniques, and take pride in what they create. Bauercrest will provide training on all woodworking tools, equipment, and projects, as well as the ceramics equipment used in our program, so you can confidently lead and support these activities. Lead Bauercrest's Creative Arts Program: Oversee the daily operation of arts and crafts, ceramics, and woodworking, ensuring each area offers engaging, well-organized, and meaningful experiences for campers. Develop Creative Projects: Design and introduce hands-on activities such as painting, printmaking, pottery, clay sculpture, woodworking, and other projects that encourage creativity, exploration, and self-expression. Build Skills Throughout the Summer: Develop age-appropriate projects that allow campers to learn new techniques, build on previous experiences, and take on increasingly challenging work as their confidence and abilities grow. Supervise and Mentor Staff: Provide leadership, guidance, and feedback to staff assigned to the creative arts program, helping them develop their teaching skills and deliver positive camper experiences. Teach and Inspire Campers: Demonstrate techniques, encourage experimentation, and help boys work through challenges, discover new interests, and take pride in what they create. Manage Creative Arts Facilities and Equipment: Maintain organized program spaces, oversee supplies and materials, care for equipment, and ensure appropriate procedures are followed when using tools and specialized materials. Create Opportunities for Every Camper: Adapt activities to different ages, interests, and abilities so that every boy feels welcomed, supported, and encouraged to participate, regardless of his previous experience. Collaborate Across Camp: Work with the Program Director and other activity leaders to incorporate creative projects into special events, camp traditions, and the broader Bauercrest experience. Contribute to the Bauercrest Community: Be an active, positive presence throughout camp, modeling our Three C's of Community, Confidence, and Competition and helping create an environment where boys feel connected, supported, and inspired to grow. Why This Role is a Game Changer For You: This isn't just a summer job teaching arts and crafts. It's an opportunity to develop your creativity, build your professional portfolio, and inspire the next generation of young artists and makers. As Bauercrest's Creative Arts Director, you'll have the freedom to introduce your own artistic interests, design original projects, and shape a program that brings together arts and crafts, ceramics, and woodworking. You'll create hands‑on experiences that encourage campers to explore new techniques, develop practical skills, and take pride in what they create. You'll gain valuable experience in curriculum development, studio management, staff supervision, and hands‑on instruction while building your professional portfolio through original project designs, lesson plans, and examples of your work. Whether you're pursuing a career in art education, ceramics, woodworking, or design, you'll develop skills and experience that extend well beyond the summer. And you'll experience the moments that make this work meaningful. Watching a camper create his first piece of pottery. Helping a boy design and build something in the woodshop. Seeing a camper who never considered himself artistic discover a new talent. You'll also become part of a close‑knit camp community where your ideas are valued, your growth is encouraged, and lasting friendships are formed. You'll leave Bauercrest having done more than lead a creative arts program. You'll have built your portfolio, developed your leadership skills, and helped boys discover what they're capable of creating. What We're Looking For: We're looking for a creative, enthusiastic, and dependable leader who believes that arts and crafts, ceramics, and woodworking offer meaningful opportunities for boys to discover new interests, develop practical skills, and express themselves. Our ideal Creative Arts Director is someone who enjoys working with children, brings fresh ideas to the program, and can create an environment where campers feel encouraged to experiment, learn, and take pride in what they accomplish. Creative Arts Experience & Expertise: Strong background in visual arts, arts and crafts, ceramics, woodworking, art education, or a related creative field. Experience in multiple disciplines is valuable, but expertise in all three program areas is not required. Leadership & Staff Development: Experience supervising, mentoring, or guiding others, with the ability to support instructors, establish clear expectations, and create a collaborative, enthusiastic teaching environment. Project Design & Curriculum Development: Ability to develop engaging, age‑appropriate projects, from painting and mixed‑media art to pottery, clay sculpture, and woodworking, with opportunities for campers to build skills throughout the summer. Woodworking & Ceramics Training: Familiarity with woodworking tools, pottery wheels, kilns, or other specialized equipment is beneficial but not required. Camp Bauercrest will provide training on the woodworking equipment and projects, as well as the ceramics equipment used in our program. Experience Working With Children: A genuine passion for teaching children and teenagers, with the patience, encouragement, and flexibility needed to support different interests, abilities, and levels of artistic experience. Creativity & Artistic Initiative: Someone who brings original ideas, enjoys experimenting with materials and techniques, and is excited to introduce projects that reflect their own artistic interests and expertise. Organization & Studio Management: Ability to coordinate project schedules, organize supplies, maintain equipment, and oversee welcoming, well‑managed creative spaces. Safety & Responsible Instruction: Ability to establish and reinforce appropriate expectations for working with tools, materials, and equipment, particularly in woodworking and ceramics. Strong Communication & Collaboration: Ability to communicate clearly with campers and staff, provide constructive feedback, and work collaboratively with the Program Director and other members of the camp leadership team. Commitment to Bauercrest's Values: A leader who models Community, Confidence, and Competition and understands that creative activities are opportunities to develop confidence, independence, perseverance, and respect for others. Position Schedule & Housing: This position may be filled as either a residential role, with the director living at camp throughout the summer, or a day position for someone commuting to Bauercrest. Both arrangements require participation in scheduled program activities, staff responsibilities, and applicable training. Perks & Compensation: At Camp Bauercrest, being part of our leadership team means more than having a great summer. It's an opportunity to develop professionally, build meaningful relationships, and help shape an experience that makes a lasting difference in the lives of campers and staff. At Camp Bauercrest, you'll have the opportunity to turn your creativity into a rewarding summer experience while developing valuable professional skills, building your portfolio, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of campers. Competitive Summer Compensation: Compensation based on experience, qualifications, and the responsibilities of the position. Flexible Living Arrangements: This position is available as either a residential or commuter role, allowing qualified candidates to live at camp or commute each day. Room, Board & Meals: Residential staff receive on-site housing and meals. Meals are also provided to commuter staff during their scheduled workday. Professional Portfolio Development: Opportunities to develop original projects, lesson plans, curriculum materials, and examples of your creative work that can strengthen your professional portfolio. Equipment Training Provided: Bauercrest provides training on the woodworking tools, projects, and ceramics equipment used in our program. Leadership & Professional Growth: Gain experience in program development, staff supervision, teaching, studio management, and creative leadership. Creative Freedom: Bring your own artistic interests and ideas to camp while helping shape projects that engage and inspire campers. A Supportive Camp Community: Work alongside passionate educators and camp professionals while building relationships and memories that last beyond the summer. #J-18808-Ljbffr Camp Bauercrest