Associate Camp Director

The YMCA of Upper Palmetto (YUP) is a vibrant, 13-branch association serving three counties across the Upstate and Piedmont regions of South Carolina—just south of Charlotte, NC. Our association includes a diverse mix of executive storefront YMCAs, community partnership locations, flagship branches, and a resident camp.

As a mid-sized YMCA association headquartered in Rock Hill, South Carolina, we are proud to serve growing, family-friendly communities that offer an exceptional quality of life. The region enjoys four distinct seasons, mild winters, and convenient access to both the mountains and the coast. The mountains are approximately an hour north, while Charleston and South Carolina’s beaches are just a few hours to the south.

The area offers a wide variety of living options, from scenic rural communities to modern planned neighborhoods. It is also home to Winthrop University and numerous healthcare providers. The Fort Mill and Clover school districts are among the highly regarded school systems in South Carolina, making the region an attractive place to live, work, and raise a family.

The YMCA’s “Camp Cherokee” is a traditional resident camp that offers summer programing, as well as school-year retreats and facility rentals.

Camp Cherokee has a storied history dating back to 1945. Many of the camp’s original buildings were constructed by volunteers from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a New Deal-era program established during the Roosevelt administration.

Today, Camp Cherokee is situated within the beautiful natural surroundings of Kings Mountain State Park in Upstate South Carolina. The camp is surrounded by thousands of acres of protected parkland, providing an exceptional setting for outdoor recreation, camping, retreats, and youth development.

To further the mission of YMCA Camp Cherokee through the development and management of program, human resource, and strategic operations. Design and deliver program activities that are safe, fun, and appropriate to the campers’ age and abilities. Assist in the management of the overall camp operation at the direction of the camp director.

• Design, deliver, and evaluate camp program that meets the needs and interests of the camps target populations and ensure their delivery in a safe and quality manner.
  • Remain current with information on the developmental needs of youth.
  • Annually seek and analyze input from youth, families, and staff regarding the quality, safety, and enjoyment of the program and staff.
  • Develop and implement crisis and risk management procedures.
  • Design and ensure delivery of programs and activities appropriate to the camper population.
• Implement human resource management practices to assist with recruiting and retaining seasonal staff.
  • Recruit staff based on camper enrollment and program management requirements.
  • Interview, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate seasonal staff.
  • Assist in the management of seasonal staff on-boarding processes.
• Assist with the daily operation of the summer resident camp including program, camper and staff, food service, and health care.
  • Secure sufficient coverage in health care staff and their implementation of the plan.
  • Ensure quality coverage of kitchen staff and food quality.
  • Manage equipment inventory, ordering and condition inspections on all programming materials.
  • Work collaboratively with internal and external groups to ensure the enhancement of the camp operation.
  • Ensure a consistent, quality program is delivered weekly.
  • Oversee bridge weekends and ensure policies and procedures are followed week after week.
  • Ensure lesson plans are prepared and implemented that meet camp outcomes and the abilities of the campers.
  • Evaluate program delivery…