Activity Director

Camp Mendocino is a residential summer camp located in Northern California, four hours north of San Francisco and spread over 2,000 acres. We provide transportation between San Francisco and Camp at the start and end of the summer. All Camp employees are expected to live, sleep and work at Camp. As a program of the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF), we are dedicated to providing children and teens with safe, fun places to learn and grow, with professional staff to offer support and guidance, serving as caring mentors and role models.

Who are we: We’re not just a summer camp—we’re a community. We provide a safe, transformative outdoor experience for youth from diverse backgrounds including youth from some of San Francisco’s least resourced neighborhoods; grounded in diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and joy. Our staff culture values growth, teamwork, professionalism, and fun.

Who are you: You are a youth-centered role model with strong emotional intelligence, integrity, and a love for the outdoors. You collaborate well, bring creativity and patience, and are eager to learn, grow, and support a diverse community of campers and staff.

Position Purpose

The Activity Director is a seasonal leadership role responsible for delivering high-quality, developmentally appropriate programming across Camp Mendocino’s activity areas. The role supports, coaches, and evaluates activity staff; manages scheduling; ensures program safety and supply readiness; and contributes to camper behavior support using restorative practices. This position supervises activity areas such as: High Ropes/Challenge Course, Rock Climbing, Swimming, Boating, Archery, Mountain Bikes, Arts & Crafts, Environmental Education, Native American Education, Dance and Drama, amongst others. 

This position is full-time and residential from June–August with part-time (2–20 hours/month) involvement from September–May. Due to the coaching and scheduling responsibilities associated with this position, we are requesting a three-year commitment. 

Key Responsibilities (June-August)

• Coach and support activity specialists to deliver engaging, skill-building programming.
• Observe activity areas regularly and provide constructive feedback and praise.
• Ensure all program areas meet safety standards and maintain appropriate supplies.
• Create activity schedules for each session and manage specialist time-off schedules.
• Partner with counselors to design and facilitate evening programs.
• Maintain accurate documentation, reports, and program records.
• Support camper behavior needs using restorative justice principles.
• Serve as liaison and advocate for activity specialists and counselors.
• Support emergency procedures and overall safety.
• Serve as waterfront manager including training, supervision of lifeguards, maintaining policies and safety protocols, and leading emergency action plans.
• Supervise high ropes/challenge course staff including training, supervision, maintaining policies and safety protocols, and leading emergency action plans.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by supervisors.

Year-round Responsibilities (Sept-May)

• Assist with the hiring process by supporting interviews for new and returning staff members
• Research and develop activity curriculum and events to be implemented during the summer season.
• Collaborate with the Leadership Team to plan and facilitate training sessions and pre-summer meetings that strengthen staff preparedness and cohesion.
• Host virtual meetings to provide information, answer questions, and support both domestic and international staff prior to their arrival.
• Recruit prospective staff by distributing promotional materials and flyers in community centers and local areas to attract qualified applicants for seasonal positions.
• Procure and organize supplies that contribute to staff programming, activities, and overall camp readiness for the upcoming season.
• Attend monthly virtual leadership meetings
• Participate in two annual retreats (Fall and Spring) in-person in the SF Bay Area and 1-3 days in length.

Requirements

Required Skills

• Minimum 4 years of experience in youth development.
• Experience working with youth from disadvantaged circumstances.
• Minimum 2 years of experience supervising staff.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and communicate with coworkers, parents, and campers.
• Ability to handle difficult or stressful situations in a professional manner.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Preferred Skills

• Experience working with youth in an overnight camp setting.
• Current lifeguard certification
• Current ACCT ropes course certification

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift 50lbs.
• Must be able to walk on uneven terrain for at least 3 miles.
• Must be able to stand for 8 hours (with breaks).
• Must be able to work in temperatures ranging from 30° to 100°.

Lodging: Lodging is provided for all staff on site during summer programming. The Activity Director will not be required to stay in a cabin with youth on a regular basis, but will be assigned bunk-style indoor housing that may be shared with up to 3 other staff members. 

Schedule: This is a part-time (2–20 hours/month) position September–May and a full-time, residential position June 5 –August 6, 2026 at Camp Mendocino (Mendocino County, CA).

Benefits

• June-August:
  • Onsite lodging is provided for all staff during the summer.
  • Three cooked meals per day are provided onsite, including on days off (gluten-free, vegan, & vegetarian options).
  • Free onsite laundry.
  • Onsite workout facilities.
  • Free Wifi access in the staff lounge.
  • Free 1-year membership to the American Camp Association.
• Flexible part-time schedule Sept-May.
• Employee Assistance Program: in-person counseling + 24/7 confidential mental health support.
• Sick Time.

Pay

The wage range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and BGCSF needs.  At BGCSF,  our decisions are based on other factors and dependant on circumstances for each position.  Depending on the need and requirement of the position,  an individual could be hired at or near the entry level, mid – level or top of the range for their role and compensation.  As such, a reasonable estimate for this position is $7,500 from June 5-August 6, 2026 and $23.50/hour the remainder of the year.

Disclaimer

Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, nor to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and objectives required of employees assigned to this job. 

If you’re excited about this opportunity, but your experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply anyways and attach a cover letter explaining why it would be a good fit. You may just be the right candidate! 

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