Summer Day Camp Challenge Course Director - Camp Chickami

West Suburban YMCA | Newton, MA

Salary: $37k - $49k
Experience: 4+ yrs
Location: Wayland, Massachusetts, United States
Job type: Full-time

Required skills

First Aid
CPR
ACCT Certification
Top Rope Belay Systems

About the role

We are hiring for a Summer Day Camp Challenge Course Director at Camp Chickami for the 2026 Summer season! Please apply here if you are interested in joining us for the 2026 summer season.

YMCA Camp Chickami is a traditional summer day camp located in Wayland, MA. Founded in 1955, Camp Chickami has inspired kids with countless opportunities to laugh, lead and make lasting friendships. Together, our proven programs and trained counselors deliver meaningful and memorable camp experiences that keep families coming back year after year after year.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Challenge Course Director is responsible for the recruitment, planning, management, licensing, and implementation of all Challenge Course Elements at Camp Chickami (Wayland, MA) including summer camp and spring, summer, and fall rental groups. The Challenge Course Director is responsible for High Ropes, Low Ropes, Climbing Tower, teambuilding, and outdoor education programming that allow all campers to achieve goals as a group, while providing the chance to challenge themselves. This position is part time in spring and fall and full time in the summer. Housing is not included and applicants must have access to their own transportation.

OUR CULTURE:

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Maintain safety standards and procedures in the field and is accountable for the assigned equipment care and use.
Oversee licensing of courses with the Office of Public Safety and Inspection.
Coordinate curriculum and programming for teambuilding and ropes activities for camp and rental groups.
Lead in-servicetrainingforcourse facilitatorsas needed.
Coordinate 1stgenerationtrainingwith ACCT recognized trainers as needed.
Have an appreciation for the outdoors.
Facilitate ice breakers,initiatives,andreflectionfor a variety of groups including youth students, campers, and adults.

Maintain course and equipment according to Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) standards.
Monitorsafety procedures for both high and low elements of the challenge course program according to ACCT and ACA standards.
Update andmaintainapplicable documentation and records asrequired(SOPs, LOPs, Rope Use Logs, Equipment Logs, Maintenance Logs,Near Miss Logs,Belay Certification Logs, Daily Inspection Logs, Equipment Inventory Sheets, etc.)
Continuallybeingconscious of safety concernsand to follow andalways enforce safety guidelinesensuring a safe environment, both physically and emotionally, for all participants and staff.
Keep up to date on relevant laws, regulations,operatingstandards,andbestindustry practices.
Responsible fordailyset-up and takedown ofelements when courses are scheduled for use.
Followall YMCA policies, rules,regulations,and procedures, including emergency and safety procedures.
Demonstrate and teach the values of caring, honesty,respectand responsibility to all campers and staff.
Activelyparticipateand complete allstaff meetings andtrainingasscheduled.
Helpwith all camp activities andparticipateas a member of the camp staffteam.
Active support of our DEIB statement and putting into practice our commitment to equity, diversity, belonging and inclusion.  Continue to think about strategies to support diversity goals of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimumof4years’ experience leadinggroups on a high and low ropes element, challenge course, team building, etc.
Musthave access to private transportation.
Proven technical skills in the set-up and use of top rope belay systems in an outdoor setting.
Demonstrated experience administering risk management practices for adventure programs.
Capableof respondingappropriately to emergencies and situations requiring first aid and/or CPR.
Able toperformhighropesrescues.
Ability to handle assignments with minimal instruction and supervision.

First Aid and CPR Certifications.
ACCTrecognized Challenge Course certification.
Willingness to accept responsibilities and duties other than those assigned.
Committing to support and further our anti-racist work as an organization.  Learning about our initiatives andthe continuouswork and being able to vocalize with members if needed. 
Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economicsegments of the community.

Physical Demands:

Lift 40 pounds using proper technique.

Must be able to climb a 5.7 rated climb safely using/demonstrating proper technique.

Must be able to belay a top rope climber safely using/demonstrating proper technique.

Able to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to assigned activities visually and audibly.

The West Suburban YMCA is a charitable organization that welcomes all by creating a community that hires individuals of any age, race, gender, religion, heritage, economic circumstance, or physical ability. We focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility to ensure all children, adults and families are healthy, confident and connected.

*After completing the application process, you will have the opportunity to complete your Talent Profile by our joining our Talent Community!

About West Suburban YMCA | Newton, MA

Provides community health, youth development, and childcare services.

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