Camp Director (Korean Youth Camp)

Camp Director, Camp Naru 365

Camp Naru | Hybrid & New York, NY | Year-Round

Background

Camp Naru is the signature youth initiative of the YS Kim Foundation, a New York–based nonprofit committed to empowering Korean Americans through leadership development, cultural identity, and community connection.

Founded in 2021, Camp Naru is a one-week overnight summer program designed for Korean American youth ages 9–16. Held annually in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania, the camp welcomes 200 campers and 90+ seasonal staff and volunteers—many of whom are alumni, Korean American professionals, and cultural educators. The program blends recreational activities with cultural immersion, identity workshops, and community-building rituals to foster pride, self-awareness, and belonging.

Building on the camp’s success, Naru is evolving into Camp Naru 365, a year-round initiative that includes summer camp, alumni engagement, community events, and regional retreats. Looking ahead to 2026, the YS Kim Foundation has ambitions to scale Camp Naru into a multi-week program that reaches more youth across the country and expand impact beyond the summer.

Position Overview

The Camp Director will be the driving force behind Camp Naru 365’s operations, programming, and strategic growth. Reporting to the Managing Director of the YS Kim Foundation, this is a year-round leadership role with full responsibility for summer camp operations and ongoing community programming throughout the year.

This is an opportunity to lead a high-impact cultural camp that is beloved by the Korean American community and poised for growth. The ideal candidate brings camp knowledge and expertise in nonprofit programming, with a passion for Korean American identity work.

This is a full-time, hybrid position based in New York City. The role requires 4 days per week in the NYC office and onsite presence during camp sessions. Compensation is $100,000–$120,000, with health benefits and a 401(k) plan available after one year of employment.

What You’ll Do

Organizational Leadership

• Partner with foundation leadership to expand Camp Naru from a one-week summer camp into a scalable, year-round, multi-site model.
• Develop long-term strategic plans that align with the foundation’s mission and growth objectives.
• Define and track key metrics to measure success across enrollment, impact, and sustainability.

Summer Camp Operations

• Lead all aspects of summer camp planning, execution, and evaluation.
• Oversee hiring, training, supervision, and mentorship of 90+ seasonal staff and volunteers.
• Ensure alignment between daily operations and cultural mission.
• Manage logistics including housing, meals, safety, transportation, risk management, and crisis response.
• Maintain ACA and other relevant standards of camp safety, inclusion, and program quality.

Program Design & Year-Round Engagement

• Design and oversee culturally relevant, developmentally appropriate programming for summer and year-round use.
• Lead Camp Naru 365 events such as alumni gatherings, leadership workshops, and regional retreats.
• Collaborate with youth advisors, cultural leaders, and community partners to enhance content.

Staff Management & Development

• Directly supervise a full-time staff of two Program Managers and seasonal team leads.
• Build a strong culture of support, feedback, inclusion, and leadership development.
• Standardize onboarding, training, safety certification, and staff evaluation systems.

Marketing, Outreach & Recruitment

• Develop and execute camper recruitment strategies through community partnerships, digital campaigns, and family engagement.
• Serve as the public voice of Camp Naru in Korean American spaces and youth-serving networks.
• Build relationships with parents, alumni, educators, and peer organizations.

Budget & Fundraising

• Develop and manage the Camp Naru 365 annual budget, ensuring fiscal health and resource alignment.
• Collaborate with the foundation’s development team to secure funding via sponsorships, donors, and grants.
• Report regularly on financial and programmatic progress to senior leadership and funders

Who You Are

• You are a culturally rooted and mission-driven leader. You bring a deep understanding of the Korean American experience and are committed to uplifting identity and community through youth development.
• You are a visionary and an operator. You can turn strategic goals into strong systems, scaling a dynamic camp and engagement model that balances culture and fun with operational discipline.
• You are a community connector. You value relationships with campers, families, staff, alumni, and partners, and you know how to activate the community to build momentum for the organization.
• You thrive in a start-up environment. You bring humility, curiosity, and integrity to your work. You’re energized by collaboration, quick to adapt when plans shift, and unafraid to test new ideas.

Qualifications

• Familiarity with Korean American culture, community dynamics, language, and heritage.
• 5+ years of full-time leadership in summer camps, youth development, nonprofit program management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success in leading teams, managing budgets, and scaling programs.
• Strong background in youth programming, ideally with cultural or identity-based content.

Schedule & Commitment

• Hybrid role based in NYC, with in-office work required four days per week.
• Onsite presence required at pre-camp training and during camp sessions each summer (e.g. August 6–17, 2025, with more sessions planned for 2026).
• Evening and weekend availability expected for year-round programs, events, and engagement initiatives.
• Occasional travel to additional program sites or partner locations as Camp Naru grows.

About the YS Kim Foundation

Founded in 2020, the YS Kim Foundation is a private family foundation that exists to empower Korean Americans to thrive with pride in their cultural identity and a deep commitment to service. The foundation invests in programs that build community, celebrate heritage, and cultivate the next generation of changemakers. Its three core initiatives include:

• Camp Naru – An immersive overnight summer camp and year-round engagement platform for Korean American youth
• The YS Kim Scholars Program – A selective leadership development and mentorship program for college-aged Korean Americans.
• Community Engagement – A growing portfolio of convenings, events, and partnerships that support intergenerational dialogue, cultural learning, and civic leadership.

The foundation is led by a dynamic team and supported by a hands-on board of directors. With a commitment to excellence, cultural authenticity, and inclusion, the YS Kim Foundation is poised to expand its national impact over the next decade. To learn more, visit yskim.org.