Assistant Program Coordinator

NJ Career Accelerator Internship Grant Program

COMPANY OVERVIEW: YMCA Camp Bernie, a branch of YMCA of Ridgewood NJ, is an overnight and day camp that can host up to 2,000 campers each summer. Located 15 minutes from Hackettstown, our 247-acre campus is home to adventurous activities like ziplining, archery, and canoeing, where campers and staff foster life-long friendships. Established in 1956, this branch has brought outdoor education, childcare, and recreation to the surrounding community for 70 years!

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POSITION OVERVIEW: The Assistant Program Coordinator will support YMCA Camp Bernie’s planning and preparation for the 2027 summer camp season while gaining experience in recreation management, outdoor education, and nonprofit camp operations. Working under the guidance of the SVP of Childcare + Camp, the intern will assist with evaluating 2026 camp programs, developing new nature-based and outdoor recreation activities, organizing program resources, and enhancing specialty program areas. During the fall season, the intern will also have opportunities to assist with Outdoor Education programming as needed, providing additional experience in experiential learning, environmental education, and group facilitation.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of 2026 summer camp programs and be a part of planning for the 2027 season.
• Help update camp curriculum, themed programming, and activity guides.
• Assist in planning progressive programming for campers of various ages and abilities.
• Support the organization, inventory, maintenance, and storage of program equipment and supplies.
• Develop resources and sample activities for specialty program areas such as woodshop, mountain biking, archery, arts & crafts, and challenge ropes courses.
• Learn best practices for challenge course facilitation, inspection procedures, and risk management planning.
• Assist with creating staff training materials, program manuals, and operational documentation.
• Support administrative projects related to scheduling, supply ordering, and program logistics.
• Assist Outdoor Education staff with facilitating environmental education, teambuilding, and adventure-based learning programs during the fall season, as operational needs allow.
• Contribute to special events, Outdoor Education programming, and other camp initiatives as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Required Education: Candidates must be pursuing or have completed a degree in Recreation, Recreation Management, Leisure Studies, Sports and Fitness, Experiential Education, and Education.
• Applicant Eligibility
  • Current NJ undergraduate student
  • Current NJ graduate student
  • Recent NJ college graduate: must have graduated less than one year prior to the start of the internship experience (Eligible graduate: May 2025-May 2026)
  • A current undergraduate student who is a permanent NJ resident
• Previous experience working with children, camps, or youth programs preferred.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Basic computer skills.
• Must successfully complete all required YMCA background checks and training.