Camp Director, Camp Chippewa for Boys

Camp Director

Camp Chippewa for Boys | Cass Lake, MN | Remote in Offseason

Background

Camp Chippewa for Boys, founded in 1935, is a traditional residential summer camp nestled on the shores of Cass Lake within Minnesota's Chippewa National Forest. By design, Chippewa has a current program capacity of up to 100 campers per session. We provide boys with enriching opportunities to forge friendships, build confidence, develop character, and experience the thrill of adventure, including expeditions into the Canadian wilderness. 

Camp Chippewa is owned and operated by the Camp Chippewa Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and advancing our mission.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to develop character through adventure, inspired by tradition.

Core Values

Camp Chippewa fosters personal growth, builds community, and develops life skills within an outdoor educational environment.

Position Overview 

We seek a dynamic, thoughtful, and innovative camp director to manage all operational and financial aspects of Camp Chippewa. This executive-level position demands exceptional leadership, strong strategic planning abilities, financial acumen, and operational expertise. A deep understanding of the camping industry and a proven track record of successfully managing people, projects, customers, and finances are essential.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Director will enact Camp Chippewa's vision, working closely with the Board on strategic planning initiatives and championing the evolution of the camp while honoring our cherished traditions.

This is a full-time, year-round position that is based in Minnesota in the summer and remote the rest of the year. Compensation is $90k-$100K plus health care allowance and onsite housing during the summer.

What you’ll manage

• Strategic Planning: Partner with the Board to develop Chippwea’s long-range strategic plan which includes annual budgeting, capital planning, and future vision of programs and site upgrades.
• People Leadership: Provide inspirational leadership and direction to a team of 3 full-time staff who supervise 30+ seasonal staff including counselors, coaches, medical staff, administrators, and maintenance professionals.
• People Leadership: Provide ongoing supervision, mentorship, professional development, and growth to direct reports and seasonal staff. 
• Culture-Champion & Tradition Bearer: Foster a positive, inclusive culture aligned with Chippewa's core values, ensuring all staff members embody and model these values. Embrace and uphold Camp Chippewa's rich traditions and legacy.
• Programming & Operations: Oversee all aspects of camp life, including activity development, outdoor expeditions, camper experiences, facilities management, food service, office administration, and parent communications.
• Financial Performance: Drive financial results in accordance with the annual budget and revenue targets. Demonstrate operational discipline to rigorously manage the P&L.Report financial results to the Board on a routine basis.
• Fundraising: Under the Board's direction, develop and execute fundraising strategies to cultivate relationships with existing and new donors.
• Camper Recruitment: Boost and maintain camper enrollment to achieve enrollment targets developed jointly with the Board of Directors. 
• Community Engagement: Serve as the ambassador for Camp Chippewa, representing the camp in the local community, and in the larger camp industry. 
• Alumni Relations: Nurture and strengthen our vibrant alumni network.
• Compliance: Meticulously manage compliance requirements of federal, state, local and ACA agencies to ensure camp remains in constant good standing.

Who you are

• Camp Believer: You are deeply passionate about the transformative power of camp experiences and have firsthand knowledge of their positive impact on campers.
• Inspirational Leader: You possess proven leadership skills, excel at identifying and developing talent, and inspire high performance through guidance and mentorship. You are dynamic, upbeat, and radiate positive energy.
• Values-Driven: You are a person of integrity with strong personal values guiding your actions. You champion accountability, humility, and always strive to do what's right.
• Adventurous Spirit: Your love for the outdoors is contagious, and you find immense joy in wilderness experiences. You are skilled at inspiring a deep connection with nature in others.

Qualifications

• Extensive leadership experience in youth development organizations, schools, or outdoor education, preferably within the residential camping sector.
• Advanced education or certification in camp management, non-profit management, MBA, or equivalent business experience.
• Proven success in driving camper enrollment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and execute successful fundraising campaigns, cultivating relationships with alumni and donors.
• Strong track record in managing people, teams, projects, customers, and finances.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Unwavering commitment to upholding Camp Chippewa's traditions.
• Expertise in recruiting, training, and supervising camp employees.

Compensation

The compensation range for this position is $90,000 to $100,000 with an allowance for health care and paid time off. Onsite housing is provided during the summer.