High Adventure Director

Summer Sleepaway 2026 at Camp Kaufmann High Adventure Director

Position Description

The High Adventure Director is responsible for managing the High Adventure team and ensuring the archery and ropes course programs are safely implemented. They also ensure the proper use, maintenance, storage of all high adventure equipment. They act in accordance with the New York Department of Health (NYDOH), Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT), and the American Camp Association (ACA) standards, and demonstrate the mission of Girl Scouting and positive impact of camp.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for camper and staff safety, playing an active role in risk management and enforcing safety rules according to NYSDOH, GSUSA, ACCT, and ACA regulations.
• Supervise and monitor all high adventure activities, ensuring Activity Specialists are providing clear and engaging directions to all campers.
• Supervise and support 2-4 Ropes and Archery Specialists from diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds (including international staff).
• Promote team cohesion, ensure appropriate workload dispersion, and coordinate breaks.
• Develop an ongoing high adventure in-service training and performance evaluation schedule, submitting written evaluations for all high adventure staff.
• Serve as a member of the Camp Leadership Team and facilitate cross-team communication, including daily check-ins with Senior Leadership.
• Work independently and in collaboration with the Camp Leadership Team to develop progressive, attainable programming appropriate for the ages and abilities of campers.
• Serve as program lead for the “Galactic Mysteries” week at camp, developing content using the GSUSA badge curriculum and with support from Camp Leadership.
• Maintain the high ropes course, climbing wall, low ropes course, and archery range, including daily inspections of all equipment for safety, good repair, and cleanliness.
• Maintain accurate record keeping of archery and ropes course equipment inspections.
• Immediately report incidents, accidents, illnesses, and maintenance issues to the Camp Leadership Team and assist in preparing reports as required. 
• Guide campers and staff in emergency situations, remaining calm under pressure.
• Apply behavior management techniques to mediate conflicts between campers and between staff, knowing when to elevate concerns to Senior Leadership.
• Support Unit Staff and their campers as they complete badgework and prepare for their weekly badgework showcases.
• Mentor high school Counselors-in-Training (CITs) as they assist in facilitating activities.
• Provide coverage for other staff during activities, meals, unit time, and overnight as needed.
• Enthusiastically participate in all aspects of camp, including staff training, structured and unstructured activities, position-specific in-service training, team building, and debriefing.
• Demonstrate quick thinking, excellent communication, sound problem-solving techniques, and ability to work as a team player.
• Model and teach camp expectations for campers and staff regarding cleanliness, personal hygiene, punctuality, mutual respect, appropriate language, and appropriate attire.
• Comply with all policies communicated in staff training and staff manual.
• Abide by the mission and values of Girl Scouts.
• Provide excellent customer service to campers, caregivers, camp visitors, and other staff.
• Perform other tasks and responsibilities assigned by the Camp Leadership Team.

Minimum Qualifications

• Be at least 21 years of age by July 1, 2026.
• High school diploma or the equivalent.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience working with youth.
• Successfully demonstrate required skills during archery and ropes course training.
• Desire and ability to work with and relate to campers and staff from diverse backgrounds in an outdoor environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage challenging behavioral situations with youth effectively.
• Patience, sense of humor, integrity, and an ability to adapt well to changing situations.
• The acceptance and understanding that employment is at a sleepaway (overnight) camp and that work hours are long and irregular.
• Possess the strength and endurance required to maintain constant camper and staff engagement and supervision daily throughout the summer.
• Clearance through the Sex Offender Registry and Criminal Background Check.
• Willingness to prioritize the needs of Girl Scouts of Greater New York and Camp Kaufmann.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior supervision experience.
• Documented experience or training in ropes course and/or archery facilitation.
• Prior camp experience and/or interest in the outdoors.
• Experience or interest in the Girl Scout program and youth leadership development.

Dates of Summer 2026 Employment

• Must live on site and be available to work the ENTIRE duration of: 
  • Staff training: June 21 – July 4 (Saturday, June 27th off) Additional certification classes may be required.
  • Summer camp programming (5 sessions): July 5 – August 7. o Campclosing/cleanup:August8–August9.
  • Time off: Friday evening to Saturday evening weekly, except July 4.
  • Applicants who cannot commit to these dates will NOT be considered.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Ability to lift 40 pounds.
• Good health and the stamina necessary to work in a camp setting.
• Ability to stand and/or walk for long periods of time while leading programming.
• Bending, crouching, kneeling, climbing may all be a part of daily tasks.

Compensation

• $140 - $160 per diem rate, based on prior experience and certifications.
• Room and board while at camp.
• Cost of travel to/from NYC weekly, plus other off-camp excursion opportunities. 

No phone calls, please.

The Girl Scouts of Greater New York are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. This job description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this description. Any essential function or requirement of this job will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent or applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation(s) for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent or applicant when possible.