Nature Day Camp Director - Outdoor Leadership and Education
Outdoor Child Development Site Director
Nature-Based Summer Camps
Locations: Catonsville, Crownsville, and Roland Park, Maryland
Role Overview
Lure of the Wild Site Directors lead a fully outdoor, child-centered day camp grounded in autonomy, experiential learning, and social-emotional development. This leadership role blends program management, staff supervision, and applied developmental observation within a naturalistic setting.
The position is especially well suited for graduate students, academics, and early-career professionals in education, psychology, counseling, social work, recreation, and related fields seeking meaningful leadership experience that bridges theory and practice.
Core Responsibilities
• Lead daily site operations and program flow
• Supervise and mentor counseling staff using reflective leadership
• Support inclusive group culture and social-emotional development
• Navigate behavioral and interpersonal challenges through relational guidance
• Communicate with families in a calm, professional manner
• Maintain safety oversight while preserving child autonomy
• Coordinate logistics, staffing, and environmental readiness
• Collaborate with program leadership on continuous improvement
Academic & Professional Skill Development
Site Directors gain applied experience in:
• Social-emotional learning facilitation
• Naturalistic behavioral support
• Developmental observation and assessment
• Inclusive and neurodiversity-affirming practice
• Reflective supervision and staff coaching
• Executive functioning and autonomy support
• Trauma-aware relational guidance
• Family communication and trust building
• Program leadership in dynamic environments
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree required (graduate students encouraged)
• Prior experience working with children or youth
• Demonstrated leadership and strong professional judgment
• Comfort working in unscripted outdoor environments
• Interest in developmental, educational, or helping professions
• Ability to mentor staff and manage dynamic group situations
Compensation & Schedule
• $24–27+ hourly, overtime eligible
• Part-time spring onboarding and preparation
• Full-time summer leadership role
• 12+ weeks of 40-hour leadership experience
• Paid training and leadership development
Location
Roland Park, Maryland
Professional Relevance
This role provides meaningful applied experience for careers and graduate pathways in:
School leadership and teaching
• Clinical and counseling psychology
• Social work and youth services
• Outdoor and experiential education
• Recreation therapy and child life
• Behavioral and developmental services
• Educational research and program design
About Lure of the Wild
Lure of the Wild is a fully outdoor nature camp where children build resilience, confidence, and self-regulation through child-led exploration and thoughtful adult guidance. The program prioritizes autonomy, authentic experience, and developmental growth in natural environments.
Apply
Submit application materials at www.lureofthewild.com/camp_director