Seasonal Art Camp Director

Posting Information

Hourly Rate: $/hour

Hours per week: 40 hours/week, Mondays-Fridays, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM, Fridays until 5 PM, occasional weekend days/ nights for training and camp administration

Job Classification:
Nonexempt, Seasonal

Job Type: Onsite, de Cordova

Duration:
May 11, 2026 - August 24, 2026

Location:

de Cordova, Lincoln, MA

Are you someone who values collaborative, interdisciplinary, place‑based education and the intersections of art, nature, and science? Are you creative, open‑minded, curious, and flexible, with strong organizational, computer, and management skills? As the Director of DeCordova’s Camps, you will implement and execute each summer’s unique themes that spark the imagination and creativity of staff, campers, and families alike.

THE HIVE, July 6 – August 7, is designed for fifty‑six campers ages 5‑12 who are curious about the world around them and interested in exploring nature and contemporary artistic ideas through energizing and emergent collaborations culminating each week in large‑scale installations in the Sculpture Park.

TEEN SUMMER STUDIO, June 29 – July 3 and August 10‑14, offers opportunities for a small cohort of 13‑16‑year‑olds to refine and expand artistic techniques, create meaningful connections, and develop confidence in their unique artistic voice.

As the DeCordova Art Camp Director, you will report to the DeCordova Interpretation Manager and oversee the operations and management of The Hive and Teen Summer Studio.

You will be responsible for onboarding, training, mentoring, and leading DeCordova’s cohort of innovative Art & Nature Instructors (artists, educators, makers, naturalists) who work in consort with campers to create immersive sculptures each summer week. You will spend extensive time in the studios, actively engaging with campers, supporting instructors, building community, and developing strong relationships with each camper and their families.

• Implement and oversee the camps’ emergent art and nature‑based curriculum that responds to DeCordova’s exhibitions plus instructors’ and campers’ interests and skills.
• Effectively train, mentor, and manage a team of seasonal camp staff:
  Assistant Camp Director, Art & Nature Instructors, Camp Behavior Specialist, and Junior Instructors.
• Manage camp registration, parent communications, town licensing, and other camp administrative work, using Camp Brain software and other platforms as required.
• Lead comprehensive training for Instructors and Junior Instructors, ensuring they are fully grounded in program content and pedagogy and prepared to create a safe, engaging, and consistent camp experience.
• Provide robust support to the Assistant Camp Director in training, mentoring, and managing Junior Instructors ages 15‑18, ensuring they can contribute meaningfully to the studio environment.
• Support individual camper needs, challenges, and wellness, sometimes requiring one‑on‑one supervision.
• Proactively communicate with camper parents, fostering trust through clear, timely, and thoughtful outreach that supports each camper’s experience.
• Collaborate closely with Instructors on the weekly installation and de‑installation of camper‑created projects, ensuring thoughtful presentation, safe handling, and an environment that celebrates each artist’s work.
• Participate in statewide Trustees Camp Director meetings and trainings.
• Collaborate with Lincoln Nursery School and Trustees staff to prepare and break down studios for transitions from Lincoln Nursery School classrooms to DeCordova’s summer camps.
• Along with the Assistant Camp Director, serve as the camp Health Care Supervisor by coordinating and overseeing first aid and camper medications as necessary.

• Obtained Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in education, art, the sciences, humanities, or other relevant study.
• Minimum 3 years of supervisory experience demonstrating the ability to lead staff, build community, coordinate programs, and ensure smooth day‑to‑day operations.
• Appreciation of process‑based, collaborative artmaking using unique materials and materials from the natural world.
• Experience working with youth, families,…