Seasonal Overnight Camp Director

Position Title: Gesher Overnight Camp Site Director

Location: Various Overnight Camps. On-site residency required from June 3, 2026- August 7, 2026

Reporting Relationship: Assistant Director of Overnight Camp & Trips and Director of Camp and Recreation

Employment Dates: February 1, 2026-August 11, 2026

POSITION SUMMARY:

Keshet is seeking a dynamic and compassionate leader to serve as the Gesher Overnight Camp Site Director for Summer 2026, overseeing and supporting counselors who work directly with campers with disabilities. This hands-on role includes ensuring participant health, wellness, safety, and engagement; assisting with personal care; promoting camper inclusion; and facilitating communication among staff, families, and host camp personnel. The ideal candidate is empathetic, organized, and deeply committed to inclusion and youth development.

The position includes approximately 50 hours of pre-camp work beginning in February 2026, averaging a few hours per week. The role transitions to full-time, on-site role with leadership responsibilities during the summer camp sessions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Supervision, training and support of summer camp counselors to ensure children's health, safety, well-being and personal belongings.
• Assist counselors with campers' daily activities such as personal care, hygiene, and meal times.
• Integration of camper(s) into camp activities and the group, and in the care of and planning for all campers.
• Communication with other staff at camp to create plans so that the camper is best supported.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the host site leadership and our staff to ensure campers are actively participating in camp activities, while making necessary adjustments to support full integration.
• Monitoring of use and care of equipment. Advocating that every camper has what they need.
• Communication with parents regarding their campers time at camp before, during and after each session.
• Participate alongside campers while supervising in camp activities.
• Foster a positive and inclusive atmosphere within the camp community
• Collaborate with other staff members to create a well-rounded camp experience so campers feel a sense of community and friendship with other campers
• Serve as a positive role model for campers, demonstrating empathy and respect
• Planning and leading weekly staff meetings.
• Be familiar with and follow camp safety protocols and emergency procedures.
• Liaising with the host site, Keshet staff and families regarding all camp programming, special events, busing and daily plans.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor's degree in Education, Special Education, Psychology, Social Work, Therapeutic Recreation or a related field (Master's degree or graduate-level coursework preferred).
• Experience working directly with individuals with disabilities in educational, recreational, or therapeutic settings.
• Proven experience in program development and planning; previous leadership or supervisory experience in a camp or youth program preferred.
• Familiarity with or commitment to learning Jewish cultural practices, values, and traditions.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills, with the ability to manage staff and support a diverse group of campers.
• Demonstrated ability to create and maintain an inclusive, supportive, and structured environment for campers and staff.

ABOUT KESHET

Keshet is a one-of-a-kind organization that brings classroom experiences, camps, sports, residential, social, and vocational activities for 600 people with disabilities each year. From the very start, Keshet has grown alongside our participants, creating a community of belonging where people of all abilities learn, play, work, live, and grow together.

Today, Keshet continues to flourish, with over 75 programs in the Chicago and Wisconsin area, four residential homes, 200 dedicated staff and lay leaders, dozens of community and corporate partners, and thousands of engaged donors around the world. Nurtured by respect, creativity, tenacity and unconditional love, Keshet makes a powerful difference in the lives of each child and adult with disabilities, their families, the community and beyond.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties may be assigned at any time by CEO. Keshet is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our employment practices are in accordance with the laws that prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of race, religion, color, gender, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran's status, marital status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by applicable law.

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