Management Trainee – Trips & Travel Program

Job Description

Management Trainee – Trips & Travel | YMCA Camp Takodah

The Tone:
This is an 18–24 month training program at YMCA Camp Takodah, located in Keene, NH. YMCA Camp Takodah is a year-round organization dedicated to youth development, recreation, and non-profit leadership, offering transformative experiences for campers and families. This management trainee role is critical as it will build and launch a brand-new, travel-based leadership program for teens, directly shaping the camp’s future and investing in the next generation of camping professionals.

The TL;DR
• Role: Management Trainee Program
• Type: 18–24 month commitment
• Location: In-person, Keene, NH
• Pay: $750–$800 weekly
• Team: Reports to Camp Director
• Mission: To collaboratively design, implement, and refine a new travel-based leadership program for teens while gaining comprehensive insight into year-round camp operations.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Program Incubation: Lead the design and development of Takodah’s new travel-based teen leadership program, researching destinations, crafting itineraries, and establishing all necessary logistical frameworks, including budgets, packing lists, and procedures.
• Operational Oversight: Coordinate all practical elements required for successful trips, such as vehicle rentals, lodging, campsites, permits, meals, and specialized equipment, while also supporting broader camp operations and facility needs.
• Team Leadership & Training: Recruit, onboard, and train seasonal staff for trip leadership, developing comprehensive training on vehicle safety, outdoor living, teen engagement, and emergency procedures, then supervise and mentor them through the summer.
• Risk Management & Adaptation: Develop and implement robust safety protocols, emergency plans, and risk management strategies for all travel programs, actively managing unexpected changes to weather, logistics, or participant needs during trips.
• Strategic Evaluation & Growth: Conduct thorough post-program evaluations to assess effectiveness, gather feedback from campers and staff, and formulate recommendations for future program enhancements and strategic planning for the camp’s future.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Entry-level professional, either finishing college or early in their career, with a genuine curiosity about a career in camping, recreation, youth development, or nonprofit leadership.
• Experience: An aptitude for managing organizational details and a passion for adventure, coupled with an interest in understanding how year-round YMCA camps operate from program planning to administration.
• Skills: Strong capabilities in program development, detailed logistical coordination, staff training and mentorship, proactive risk management, and the ability to adapt to changing plans effectively.
• Bonus: A creative and pioneering spirit, eager to build a significant new program from the ground up, and a desire to engage in intentional, long-term professional growth within the camping industry.