TURN YOUR SUMMER INTO SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY – BECOME A SEASONAL JERSEY CITY CAMP SITE PROGRAMMING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR WITH KIDS IN THE GAME!
Empower Staff, Inspire Campers, and Build a Summer That Matters.
Kids in the Game provides unforgettable day camp experiences for hundreds of New York children across Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and now Westchester & Jersey City! When you join the Kids in the Game summer camp leadership cohort, you’ll be part of a dynamic team of Camp Directors, Assistant Directors, and 275+ coaches running outstanding programming at our 13 summer day camps.
THE KIDS IN THE GAME SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCE
Kids in the Game camps are where sports, creativity, and community come together to shape confident, compassionate, and connected kids. Every summer, our camps across New York City, Westchester & Jersey City bring together diverse groups of children to explore new sports, build friendships, develop positive social skills, and learn how to be part of a team. Our camps offer kids a uniquely designed blend of sports and games, arts and crafts, STEM enrichment, field trips, swim activities, theme weeks, and all-camp special events to make every week the highlight of a child's summer.
Each day is fueled by energy, laughter, and belonging. Our team of camp leaders, specialists, and counselors create an environment where every child feels seen, supported, and inspired to try something new. We believe camp is more than a summer activity — it’s a place where kids discover who they are and who they can become.
As a Certified B Corporation, we're also on a mission to positively impact the lives of all of our stakeholders - campers, families, staff, community members, and our partners. We’re looking for Assistant Directors who want to inspire the next generation of leaders, model and build emotional intelligence, boost kids’ confidence, create tight-knit communities, and bring inclusive camp programs into communities across NYC, Westchester & Jersey City.
Your Leadership Can Change the Game — Join Kids in the Game This Summer.
PROGRAMMING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR ROLE & KEY TASKS
As one of our Jersey City Programming Assistant Directors, you'll report to the Camp Director and work closely with the Admin & Off-Site Assistant Directors to oversee and manage camp programming. You will lead all aspects of program design, lesson planning, daily and weekly scheduling, special events planning, and daily activity execution. This role ensures camp programming is high-quality, inclusive, developmentally aligned, and reflective of our organization’s mission of providing positive opportunities through sport and creative play. You’ll create the weekly schedules, support specialists and counselors in delivering lessons, and bring camp-wide theme days and events to life for campers.
This role is deeply rooted in creative programming and activity design, building intricate daily and weekly schedules that include on-site and off-site activities, a strong background in sports and arts instruction, and a love for camp culture! As an Programming Assistant Director, your goal is to build a schedule of daily and weekly activities that are aligned with the Kids in the Game themes and required curriculum, enhance the programming with activities that are interactive and skill-building (and a ton of fun), exciting team challenges to promote community and sportsmanship, and inspire your team of specialists to make every day at camp a unique and positive experience for the campers. You’re also an on-site leader for the camp team, making sure the camp staff have the resources and information they need to be successful, and ensuring that we are fully complaint with Department of Health regulations and maintaining our safety procedures.
We currently have 1 Jersey City and 11 New York based camp locations with the possibility of a Queens camp. The sites and addresses for the Jersey City location is:
- Jersey City:
- 118 Ferry St. Jersey City, NJ 07307
You must be able to arrive by 7:30am daily via public transportation or personal transportation (car) and stay on-site until 5pm daily (and until 5:30pm twice per week to oversee after care activities).
The Programming Assistant Director’s responsibilities include:
Ambassadorship, Core Values & Camp Culture
- Ambassadorship: As a key “architect” of the camp day, you are not just facilitating programming—you are modeling what our mission looks like in action. Through your presence at rallies, transitions, and daily activities, staff and campers see the heartbeat of our camp experience. The way you structure the day, support staff, and activate themes communicates who we are as a camp that leads with purpose, play, and connection.
- Camp Culture: Programming is one of the strongest drivers of culture at camp. You help shape the tone of the day by designing activities that make campers feel excited, challenged, included, and proud to show up each morning. From theme days to group rituals to closing celebrations, you translate values into experiences that build belonging for both campers and staff.
- Ambitious: Always look for ways to elevate skill-building, increase engagement, and create more intentional moments of joy and growth. By continuously improving systems and lesson flow, you help your team deliver programming that feels thoughtful, dynamic, and memorable.
- Positive: As the lead of programming, your tone becomes the tone of camp. Bring energy into huddles, patience into transitions, and encouragement into problem-solving. Positivity helps staff navigate change and helps campers feel safe taking risks and trying new things.
- Committed: Successful programming requires preparation, follow-through, and ownership of the camper experience. Come ready each day with materials, plans, contingency strategies, and clarity for the team. Your consistency allows the camp day to run smoothly and gives staff the confidence to lean on your leadership.
- Inclusive: Ensure programming meets every camper where they are. That means adapting activities, modeling inclusive play, and supporting staff as they differentiate instruction. Make sure every child sees themselves reflected in the experience—regardless of skill level, identity, background, or comfort with the activities.
- Empathetic: Understand that behind every behavior is a need, and behind every need is a developing child. Lead with care when coaching staff through tough moments or helping a camper who’s overwhelmed or unsure. Prioritize emotional safety as much as physical safety—helping kids feel valued, capable, and understood.
Programming & Scheduling
- Implement the Kids in the Game camp curriculum (weekly themes and daily activities in art, sports, STEM, and Early Childhood) in collaboration with the 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 daily experiences that are fun, immersive, and developmentally aligned.
- Plan and coordinate weekly special programming (theme days, Friday showcases, Olympics, tournaments, talent shows, etc.).
- Ensure pacing, space usage, equipment needs, transitions, and staff assignments are clear and communicated in advance.
Coaching & Specialist Support
- Conduct regular meetings with the specialists to review lesson planning expectations, daily/weekly schedule changes, and modify activities pending last minute changes (new campers, inclement weather, limited spaces, etc.).
- Lead special events and weekly activities (based on instructional needs) 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 realtime coaching and encouragement.
- Be a role model for specialists, counselors, and other camp leaders in how to engage with campers, and jump in to actively support activity rotations.
- Help staff differentiate activities for various age groups and abilities so every camper can participate fully; support them in adapting activities to different spaces around the camp site (e.g. classrooms, hallways, auditoriums, gyms, cafeterias, outdoor green spaces, parks, etc.).
Camper Experience & Culture Building
- Bring excitement and energy to morning and afternoon rallies, theme days, assemblies, and special events.
- Contribute positively to building camp culture by teaching camp cheers, team building games and activities, and camp rituals/traditions.
- Ensure all activities reflect Kids in the Game core values of positivity, empathy, commitment, ambition, and inclusivity.
- Foster camper participation and confidence-building — encourage trying new skills, teamwork, patience, and peer connection.
- Apply proactive behavior strategies rooted in emotional intelligence and youth development best practice.
- Actively engage with campers and staff throughout the camp day to build positive relationships and learn about their interests and needs.
Safety & Compliance
- Confirm equipment and supplies are available and prepped for each rotation.
- Check on setup and breakdown of activity areas and ensure they are safe and properly supervised.
- Uphold all DOH and camp safety protocols, especially around transitions, group management, and outdoor play.
- Implement and enforce all safety protocols—including camper supervision ratios, emergency procedures, and incident reporting.
- Support in leading staff training on emergency response, first aid procedures, and appropriate camper management techniques.
- Respond to behavioral, medical, or environmental incidents calmly and effectively; communicate outcomes with families and leadership.
- Maintain a culture of psychological safety—ensuring every camper and staff member feels physically and emotionally secure.
SEASONAL WORK EXPECTATIONS & SUMMER SCHEDULE
Pre-Summer Work Expectations & Schedule
Part time in-person & remote work from May to June dedicated to training, programming & schedule build out, specialist connections, & support in parent orientations.
May to June
- Weekly hours:
- 5-8 hours per week
- Remote & office hours for completing Programming Assistant Director tasks
- Day time OR Evening hours for training
- Remote work & tasks:
- Attend specific Assistant Director meetings and check ins with our team
- Support in completing Assistant Director Duties
- If you are a Programming Assistant Director:
- Creating the weekly schedules
- Preparing for weekly special events
- Reviewing Camp Theme Guides
- Connecting with your Specialists and Division Leaders
- Support in answering parent questions or concerns
- Support in answering parent questions or concerns
- Attend Camp Leadership meetings and check ins with your camp team
- Support in staff retention efforts and touch points with your support staff
- Support additional camp marketing
- Connecting with families via call and email
- Participate in virtual or in-person camp fairs/events in the community and open houses. You will help to promote the camp and answer parent questions at these events.
- In-person expectations:
- Twice a month attend meetings with Camp Teams and work on weekly programming and schedules at our main office.
- Attend Camp Trainings and support in creating training materials
- Leadership/All Staff/Camp Site Specific Trainings
- CPR/First Aid/AED Trainings
- Attend & Support all On Site Training Days for camp staff.
- 3 full days the week before camp begins.
- Times and Days TBD
- Training requirements:
- New Hire Orientation
- Two weeks after onboarding
- New Programming Assistant Director virtual trainings
- Onboarding & Permit Required Trainings:
- Anti Sexual Harassment
- Mandated Reporter
- Attend in-person Camp Field Day training
Summer Camp Work Expectations & Schedule
Camp Address:
- Jersey City - 118 Ferry St. Jersey City, NJ 07307
Summer Schedule:
- Dates: June 22 – August 28, 2026
- Includes pre-camp training and 7–8 weeks of camp operations
- There may be Saturday trainings during the month of June
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Support at least 2 days of After Care per week (until 5:30 PM)
- Camp Size: 30–50+ campers, 10–20+ staff members
- Weekly hours:
- 40 - 45 hours per week
- Full-time, on-site work throughout the camp season
- Additional time may be required for staff meetings or staff events
- Remote work & tasks:
- Review and respond to emails and inquiries
- Respond to internal messages through Slack
- In-person expectations:
- Serve as the on-site program lead, ensuring all rotations are prepped and staff are set up for success
- Adjust schedules based on weather, camper needs, or group flow
- Coach staff throughout the day — from tone-setting to lesson engagement
- Lead or co-lead special events and theme day activations
- Communicate program updates to camp families through the Camp Director & Admin Assistant Director
SEASONAL COMPENSATION STRUCTURE
This is a part-time, seasonal position based in the borough of Manhattan in NYC. Assistant Directors work part-time from Late May–June and full-time from late June through August at camp.
Pre-Summer (May–June)
- Hours: 5–10+ hours per week (mix of remote and in-person work)
- Compensation: One monthly stipend will be paid for pre-summer work. This is paid out based on completion of pre-set milestones
- Total Pre-Summer Compensation: Approximately $250
- Training Payments: $375 in total
- $150 for virtual trainings and $150 for all 3 on site training days
- $75 for an in person field day in June
- Training attendance is mandatory
- You must complete all virtual and in-person trainings
- Missed sessions or absences will result in a prorated training payment
- Notes: Stipends are prorated if milestones are not fully met
Summer (June–August)
- Dates: June 22 – August 28, 2026 (includes training and 7–8 weeks of camp)
- Camps may start as early as June 22nd and end as late as August 28th
- Compensation: $850–$900 per week, paid biweekly on Fridays
- Total Summer Compensation: $5,800–$7,200, based on # of camp weeks, camper enrollment, and prior experience
Bonuses
- End-of-Camp Bonus: Additional performance-based bonuses in the range of $100 - $300 are awarded based on camper enrollment and family satisfaction ratings (NPS scores).
WHY WORK WITH KIDS IN THE GAME
At Kids in the Game, you can expect to be welcomed into an engaging and spirited environment that emphasizes the importance of teamwork, open communication, and collaboration. We are proud to foster an inclusive environment where our team members feel respected by and connected to one another. We value the unique experiences, perspectives, and passions of our employees, and we look forward to adding dynamic personalities to our team. We are AMBITIOUS. POSITIVE, COMMITTED, INCLUSIVE, and EMPATHETIC.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:
We are committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment for all of our interns and employees. We recruit candidates from across the city, state, and country, from all cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. We have developed partnerships with organizations that allow us to target our hiring practices to include chronically discriminated against or low-income groups, and improve their access to high-quality employment opportunities.
