The Programming Assistant Director plays a key leadership role in designing and managing daily and weekly camp programming for Kids in the Game’s summer camps across NYC, Westchester, and Jersey City. Reporting to the Camp Director, this position ensures high-quality, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate activities while modeling core values and supporting both staff and campers.
What You'll Do
- Serve as a key architect of the camp day, modeling the organization’s mission through presence and actions
- Shape camp culture by designing activities that foster excitement, inclusion, and belonging
- Implement the Kids in the Game camp curriculum in collaboration with 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 fun, immersive, and developmentally aligned daily experiences
- Plan and coordinate weekly special programming such as theme days, Friday showcases, Olympics, tournaments, and talent shows
- Ensure pacing, space usage, equipment needs, transitions, and staff assignments are clear and communicated in advance
- Conduct regular meetings with specialists to review lesson planning and adapt to changes
- Lead special events and weekly activities 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 real-time coaching and encouragement
- Be a role model for specialists, counselors, and other camp leaders in engaging with campers
- Jump in to actively support activity rotations
- Help staff differentiate activities for various age groups and abilities
- Support staff in adapting activities to different spaces (classrooms, hallways, auditoriums, gyms, cafeterias, outdoor green spaces, parks, etc.)
- Bring energy and excitement to morning and afternoon rallies, theme days, assemblies, and special events
- Teach camp cheers, team-building games, and camp rituals/traditions
- Ensure all activities reflect Kids in the Game core values: positivity, empathy, commitment, ambition, and inclusivity
- Foster camper participation and confidence-building through trying new skills, teamwork, patience, and peer connection
- Apply proactive behavior strategies rooted in emotional intelligence and youth development best practices
- Actively engage with campers and staff to build positive relationships and learn about their interests and needs
- Confirm equipment and supplies are available and prepped for each rotation
- Check on setup and breakdown of activity areas to ensure safety and proper supervision
- Uphold all Department of Health (DOH) and camp safety protocols, especially around transitions, group management, and outdoor play
- Implement and enforce safety protocols including camper supervision ratios, emergency procedures, and incident reporting
- Support in leading staff training on emergency response, first aid, and appropriate camper management techniques
- Respond calmly and effectively to behavioral, medical, or environmental incidents and communicate outcomes with families and leadership
- Maintain a culture of psychological safety for campers and staff
- Work part-time from May to June (5–8 hours per week) on training, programming, schedule build-out, specialist connections, and parent orientations
- Attend specific Assistant Director meetings and check-ins with the team
- Create weekly schedules
- Prepare for weekly special events
- Review Camp Theme Guides
- Connect with specialists and division leaders
- Support in answering parent questions or concerns
- Attend Camp Leadership meetings and check-ins with the camp team
- Support staff retention efforts and touch points with support staff
- Support additional camp marketing
- Connect with families via call and email
- Participate in virtual or in-person camp fairs, community events, and open houses to promote the camp and answer parent questions
- Attend twice-monthly in-person meetings at the main office to work on programming and schedules
- Attend camp trainings and support in creating training materials
- Attend Leadership, All Staff, and Camp Site Specific Trainings
- Attend CPR/First Aid/AED Trainings
- Attend and support all On-Site Training Days for camp staff (3 full days the week before camp begins)
What We're Looking For
- Must be able to arrive by 7:30am daily via public transportation or personal transportation (car)
- Must stay on-site until 5pm daily (and until 5:30pm twice per week to oversee after-care activities)
- Strong background in sports and arts instruction
- Love for camp culture
- Ability to create weekly schedules and support specialists and counselors in delivering lessons
- Experience in program design, lesson planning, daily and weekly scheduling, special events planning, and daily activity execution
- Ability to ensure programming is high-quality, inclusive, developmentally aligned, and reflective of the organization’s mission
- Leadership experience in overseeing camp programming
- Commitment to emotional intelligence, youth development, and inclusive practices
- Ability to model core values: positivity, empathy, commitment, ambition, inclusivity
- Ability to support staff and ensure compliance with Department of Health regulations and safety procedures
- Must complete CPR/First Aid/AED training
Team & Environment
- Team size: 275+ coaches, Camp Directors, Assistant Directors, specialists, and counselors
- Leadership cohort includes Camp Directors, Assistant Directors, and support staff
- Reports to: Camp Director
Benefits & Compensation
- Be part of a dynamic team running outstanding programming at 13 summer day camps
- Opportunity to empower staff and inspire campers
- Chance to build a summer that matters
- Work across diverse communities in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Westchester, and Jersey City
- Participate in creating unforgettable day camp experiences
- Join a Certified B Corporation committed to positive impact for all stakeholders
- Support in staff retention and community engagement
- Involvement in marketing, outreach, and family communication
- Access to training and professional development (CPR/First Aid/AED, leadership, emergency response)
Work Mode
- Part-time (5–8 hours per week) from May to June; includes in-person and remote work
- Full-time on-site during camp season
- Work locations: Westchester-Crestwood - 465 Westchester Ave, Tuckahoe, NY 10707; Riverdale - 452 W 260th St, The Bronx, NY 10471; Inwood - 532 W 215th St, New York, NY 10034; Upper West Side - 147 W 70th St, NY, NY 10023; West Village - 272 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014; Chelsea - 259 10th Ave, New York, NY 10001; Upper East Side (Carnegie Hill) - 980 Park Ave, New York, NY 10028; Upper East Side (Lenox Hill) - 132 E 78th St, New York, NY 10075; East Village - 215 E 6th St, New York, NY 10003; Park Slope - 588 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215; Greenpoint - 100 Dobbin St, Brooklyn, NY 11222; Fort Greene - 39 Adelphi St, Brooklyn, NY 11205; Queens - TBD
Kids in the Game is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity. We welcome all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.
