Camp Director - Full Time

Salary: $49,214 - $54,682 per year (commensurate with experience)

At the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre, we transform trauma into triumph.

We change lives by providing a safe and supportive environment where children and youth can speak about their experiences to professionals, heal from adverse childhood experiences and build resilience so they can overcome the debilitating effects of childhood trauma and realize their potential.

Working collaboratively with the Niagara Regional Police Service, and Family and Children’s Services Niagara, and the Crown, the Centre is a charitable, community supported organization that serves Niagara’s 12 municipalities helping children, youth and families cope with the life altering impact of physical or sexual abuse, neglect, or of being an unwilling witness to violence.

Camp Acorn is Niagara’s first and only trauma-informed day camp, designed specifically for children and youth who have experienced trauma. The program integrates therapeutic principles, emotional regulation strategies, and resilience-building activities into a traditional camp experience, creating a safe and empowering environment where children can heal, grow, and build confidence.

Currently operating at 7 sites across Niagara, we are seeking a dynamic and experienced Camp Director to lead the program’s growth, operational excellence, and therapeutic integrity.

About the Role

The Camp Director is responsible for the strategic leadership, program development, operational management, and overall success of Camp Acorn. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Camp Director will oversee all aspects of camp operations including staffing, program design, risk management, community partnerships, budgeting, and expansion planning.

This role requires a strong understanding of trauma-informed care, child development, program management, and team leadership. The successful candidate will ensure Camp Acorn remains a safe, inclusive, high-quality therapeutic camp experience while supporting planned regional expansion.

Some of the responsibilities of this position include:

Program Leadership & Development

- Lead the planning, implementation, and evaluation of Camp Acorn programming.
- Ensure all activities align with trauma-informed, child-centered best practices.
- Develop age-appropriate program streams that promote emotional regulation, resilience, and social connection.
- Maintain program quality standards and continuous improvement processes.
- Collaborate with therapy staff to integrate therapeutic principles into camp programming.

Staff Recruitment, Training & Supervision

- Recruit, hire, train, and supervise seasonal and full-time camp staff.




- Develop comprehensive staff training with emphasis on trauma-informed practice, safety, behaviour management, and inclusion.
- Foster a positive, supportive team culture rooted in psychological safety and professionalism.
- Conduct performance evaluations and provide coaching and mentorship.

Operations & Risk Management

- Oversee daily camp operations including scheduling, logistics, supplies, transportation (if applicable), and site coordination.
- Ensure compliance with all health, safety, licensing, and regulatory requirements.
- Develop and maintain risk management protocols and incident reporting systems.
- Lead emergency preparedness and crisis response planning.
- Ensure solid safeguarding practices and child protection policies are upheld at all times.

Financial Oversight & Resource Management

- Develop and manage the Camp Acorn annual budget in collaboration with the Director of Programs & Services.
- Monitor expenses and ensure responsible stewardship of grant and donor funds.
- Support grant reporting requirements related to camp programming.
- Assist with equipment procurement and inventory management across multiple locations.

Community & Partnership Development

- Build and maintain relationships with community partners, referral agencies, schools, and funders.
- Represent Camp Acorn at community events and stakeholder meetings.
- Support fundraising initiatives and donor engagement related to camp expansion.
- Contribute to marketing and communications efforts in collaboration with the Centre’s team.

Strategic Growth & Expansion

- Support phased regional expansion of Camp Acorn across Niagara.
- Assist with site assessments, community needs analysis, and implementation planning.
- Develop scalable systems to support multi-site operations.
- Provide regular program metrics and outcome data for leadership and Board reporting.

This is not an exhaustive list of job duties, as other related duties may be assigned.

Core Competencies:

Strategic Thinking & Planning: Translates vision into actionable, scalable plans that align camp programming with organizational priorities and future growth.

Operational Excellence: Ensures camp operations run safely, efficiently, and to consistently high standards through strong systems and oversight.

Risk Management & Safeguarding:



Proactively protects the physical and emotional safety of children and staff through rigorous child protection and risk management practices.

Team Development & Coaching: Builds and leads high-performing teams through clear direction, mentorship, accountability, and a culture of psychological safety.

Strong Communication & Relationship Building: Fosters trust and collaboration through clear, professional communication with families, staff, partners, and stakeholders.

Financial Stewardship: Manages budgets and resources responsibly to ensure accountability, sustainability, and maximum program impact.

Qualifications:

Required:

- Post-secondary education in Recreation, Child & Youth Care, Social Work, Education, Psychology, or a related field.
- Minimum 3–5 years of progressive leadership experience in camp management, youth programming, or child-focused environments.
- Demonstrated experience supervising and developing teams.
- Strong understanding of trauma-informed care and child development principles.
- Experience managing budgets and program operations.

Preferred:

- Experience working with children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or complex needs.
- Training in behaviour management, emotional regulation strategies, or therapeutic recreation.
- Experience with grant-funded programs.
- Multi-site or expansion experience.

Other Requirements:

- Criminal Reference Check for the vulnerable sector.
- Current Standard First Aid & CPR-C certification.
- Valid Driver’s License and access to reliable transportation.
- This is an in-office position based in St. Catharines. Reliable transportation is required.

Application Process:

Interested and qualified applicants are invited to submit a resume and cover letter to [email protected].

Short-listed candidates will be required to complete reference checks as part of the pre-employment process and a criminal reference check for the vulnerable sector. No telephone or agency enquiries.

The Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre Niagara is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment process in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. Applicants who require accommodation are encouraged to let us know, and will be considered in a respectful, non-discriminatory manner.

This posting is for a current vacancy.

Only qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview.

Pay: $49,214.00-$54,682.00 per year

Benefits:

- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care

Education:

- Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

Experience:

- Summer Camp: 3 years (preferred)

Work Location: In person

📌 Camp Director (Grantham)
🏢 Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre Niagara
📍 Grantham