Job Description

 

Are you passionate about leading and shaping the lives of children, families, and communities through an enriching camp experience? The YMCA is seeking a dynamic and visionary Executive Director to provide strategic leadership and operational excellence for our residential summer camp located in Trinity, Texas.

 

 

YMCA Camp Cullen stands as a premier residential camp destination committed to enriching the lives of youth, families, schools, and various organizations through its comprehensive offerings of summer camp adventures, conferences, retreats, and outdoor educational programs. Situated just 90 minutes away from Houston within the serene rural community of Trinity, TX, this exceptional camp sprawls across 530 acres along the picturesque shores of Lake Livingston. Here, amidst towering pine trees, Camp Cullen promises an unparalleled journey, brimming with awe-inspiring moments at every corner.

 

 

A visionary investment exceeding $22 million in 2013 marked the genesis of this transformative camp, dedicated to serving present and future generations of children and families. Continual enhancements, buoyed by generous capital contributions, underscore the YMCA's commitment to ongoing improvements. Camp Cullen boasts top-tier accommodations in the form of high-quality cabins, a gracious dining facility offering breathtaking waterfront vistas, and an extensive array of activities and amenities encompassing water sports, horseback riding, ropes courses, target sports, nature excursions, theatrical pursuits, and much more.

 

 

In the spring of 2022, Camp Cullen proudly introduced a cutting-edge Health Center tailored to meet the contemporary challenges of camp life. This state-of-the-art facility encompasses streamlined medication storage and distribution, dedicated quarantine spaces, accommodations for nursing and medical staff, alongside a café and camp store.

 

 

Marking its 50th anniversary in 2025, Camp Cullen commemorates five decades of enriching the lives of children and families worldwide. As we celebrate this milestone, we extend a heartfelt invitation to honor our cherished legacy, reconnect with our esteemed alumni, and curate a year brimming with celebratory events.

 

 

If you are a dynamic and innovative camp professional boasting extensive expertise in designing, leading, and supervising outdoor and environmentally focused programs while harboring a profound commitment to positively impacting the lives of children and families, we urge you to consider this extraordinary opportunity. Join us at Camp Cullen and be part of our legacy of transformative experiences and unwavering dedication to fostering growth and joy in young hearts.

 

 

Position Summary:

The Executive Director of YMCA Camp Cullen plays a pivotal role in leading and overseeing the strategic direction, operations, and growth of one of the flagship camp programs within the YMCA organization. This influential position requires a visionary who possesses a blend of strategic planning, operational management, and a deep commitment to fostering a transformative and inclusive camp experience for children, families, and staff.

 

 

YMCA Camp Cullen operates with an impressive annual budget exceeding $3 million, catering to almost 1600 summer campers in 2023. Its robust conference/retreat initiatives, family camp focus, and focus on environmental education programming with schools, position Camp Cullen for sustained growth in the years ahead. The Executive Director works closely with an engaged and committed Advisory Board that raises $600k - $1MM annually to support programs and capital investments.

 

 

Key Responsibilities:

 

 

The role of an Executive Director at YMCA of Camp Cullen encompasses a wide range of responsibilities crucial for the effective management and success of the camp. Here are the key responsibilities for the position:

 

 

• Strategic Leadership: In collaboration with leadership and the board, develop and execute a forward-thinking vision for the growth and sustainability of YMCA Camp Cullen. Establish strategic goals, initiatives, and plans to enhance camper experiences, program offerings, and overall operational efficiency.
• Staff Development: Recruit, train, and mentor a diverse team of camp staff and volunteers. Foster a culture of collaboration, professional development, and inclusivity, empowering staff to deliver exceptional programming and uphold YMCA values.
• Operational Oversight: Provide comprehensive leadership in managing day-to-day camp operations, ensuring adherence to safety protocols, regulatory compliance, and high-quality programming. Directly oversee budgeting, staffing, and resource allocation to sustain an exceptional camp environment.
• Program Innovation: Continuously assess and enhance camp programs, activities, and curriculum to meet the evolving needs and interests of campers. Introduce innovative ideas to enrich camper experiences and promote personal growth. Develop camper recruitment/retention strategies to grow summer camp enrollment.
• Fundraising: Work with the center advisory board and other key stakeholders to develop comprehensive fundraising strategies that align with the YMCA’s mission and goals. Plan, organize and execute fundraising campaigns and events. This includes coordinating annual giving campaigns, major gift initiatives, donor stewardship and support of relevant capital development projects.
• Financial Management: Prepare and manage the camp's annual budget, monitor financial performance, and make strategic decisions to ensure fiscal sustainability. Explore fundraising opportunities, cultivate donor relationships, and oversee grant applications to support the camp's operations and growth.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Cultivate strong relationships with various stakeholders including campers, parents, staff, donors, community partners, and the YMCA board. Act as an ambassador for the camp, fostering a sense of belonging and engagement among all constituents.
• Safety and Compliance: Uphold safety standards and regulatory compliance to create a secure environment for all campers and staff. Implement YMCA of Greater Houston policies and procedures that prioritize the well-being and safety of everyone on campgrounds.
• Strategic Planning and Evaluation: Continuously assess the effectiveness of camp operations, programs, and services. Conduct regular evaluations, collect feedback, and make data-driven decisions to improve and innovate camp offerings.

 

 

YMCA Culture & Cause Expectations

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. It’s who are, who we aspire to be and how we show up every day. We are cause-driven. We don’t just show up, we show up with purpose. As a cause driven leader you are expected to be:

 

 

Welcoming-Accept neighbors eagerly, warmly, hospitably, and as equal participants.

Nurturing-To care for, support, and help develop through encouragement.

Hopeful-Take an optimistic or positive view of future outcomes.

Determined-To devote full strength and concentrated attention to the cause.

Genuine–To be honest and open in relationships with others.

• Bachelor's degree in human services, social services, outdoor education, business, or equivalent experience.
• Six or more years of management experience, preferably in a YMCA resident camp or other recreational camps.
• Experience and passion for outdoor environmental education programming is a requirement.
• Ability to direct total camp operations through volunteer development, supervision of staff, development and monitoring of budget, marketing, and public relations, and program development.
• Experience in management and development of volunteer board involvement; ability to recruit top community leaders.
• Effective communication skills both written and verbal.
• Strong skills in fiscal management and financial development (annual campaigns).
• Prefer knowledge of, and previous experience with, diverse populations.
• Ability to develop effective relationships and connect with communities across the Houston Y service area through our 21 center locations.
• YMCA Multi-Team or Center Leader certification preferred.
• Must be willing to live onsite at Camp Cullen in provided housing. The Executive Director’s home is a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom stand-alone house built in 2014 on .5 acres adjacent to camp.
• CPR and First Aid certifications may be required.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Directly supervises full time exempt and non-exempt employees. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; reviewing and approving timesheets; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; monitoring and updating all required staff certifications; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

COMPUTER LITERACY

Skills are essential in all of the Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and Access. Ability to use these programs to lighten work load, develop reports and to automate procedures is very necessary. Ability to diagnose basic PC problems and to communicate those problems is very important.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

HOURS

Flexible with scheduling and availability to work operational hours of the YMCA and sites, which may include day, evenings and weekends.

TRAVEL

Travel is primarily local between assigned centers during the business day, although some out-of-area and overnight travel may be expected.

 

 

The YMCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer Females/ Minorities/ Veterans/Disabled. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status.

• Competitive compensation
• Generous and flexible PTO
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Long term disability, basic life insurance, and other voluntary benefits
• Paid 12% Retirement
• 403(B) retirement savings plan
• Free YMCA membership
• Tax-Free Housing Provided - a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom stand-alone house built in 2014 on 0.5 acres adjacent to the camp.
• Opportunity to make an impact

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