Innovators, Inc. - Washington, DC

The Position · At Headfirst, we design fun, intentional, and transformational camp experiences where every camper feels seen, known, and celebrated. Growth · doesn't ·  happen by accident—it happens by design. Through thoughtfully planned activities and trained staff, we create ...

Job description

The Position

At Headfirst, we design fun, intentional, and transformational camp experiences where every camper feels seen, known, and celebrated. GrowthÂ

doesn't

 happen by accident—it happens by design. Through thoughtfully planned activities and trained staff, we create what we callÂ

Headfirst Moments

when a camper tries something new, pushes through fear, and realizes, "I can do it."

The
Innovators, Inc. & Sprouting Scientists (STEM) Program Leader
will oversee, support, and coach a team of counselors as they lead campers in pre-written curriculum centered in STEM & the creative arts. We provide the training, curriculum & daily camp schedules along with all equipment for a successful camp day but need you to organize the program and bring camp to life with your enthusiasm, dedication and un-matched energy.

Camper Ages
6-10 years olD

Activities Include
team-building, group games, field trips and guest expert workshops, science challenges, art projects

Weekly Themes Include
Oceanography, cooking, urban design, sports scienceÂ

Role Information
Schedule:
7:30 am – 3:45 pm Monday – FridayÂ

Compensation:
 $19.00 / hour

What You'll Do

• Bring Camp to Life

• Prepare a team of 4 to 12 counselors to implement pre-written curriculum to groups of up to 100 campers

• Lead morning and afternoon program meetings for all campers, enforce active supervision and Headfirst policies your staff team, and lead by example in hands-on teaching of the program content
• Prepare and review materials bins for upcoming weekly themes, distributing materials to the appropriate areas to ensure projects are easily carried out by your counselor team
• Act as the first responder to any camper behavior management situations and support individual campers and counselors in implementing next steps towards positive behavior growth
• Lead point for all onsite expert workshops and off-site field trips, ensuring safety and accountability for all campers, as well as communication to HQ regarding field trip and bus status
• Execute morning and afternoon carpool as a key player, welcoming each family to camp by name with fantastic dance moves and coordinated carpool procedures

• Site Dependent: Manage the curriculum and counselor teams for up to 3 programs in the STEAM-realm including Innovators, Inc. (7-8 years old) and Sprouting Scientists (6-7 years old)

• Nurture Physical, Social & Emotional Safety

• Work directly with campers to support them in their emotional, physical, and social development through hands-on exploration and coach your counselor team in growing their camper management skills

• Communicate Proactively

• Anticipate curricular, facility, or schedule issues before they occur and proactively create solutions to run a smooth program

• Act as the bridge from camp to parents, communicating campers' successes, celebrations, and growth, through the Site Director or other Leadership Team member

• Be an Active Member of the Camp Team

• Arrive on time, communicate schedule changes promptly, be a loyal and consistent team member who shows up for the campers and your team

• Work directly alongside your Site director and counselors to group campers and create the best experience possible for all campers

• Coach your team of counselors, providing specific feedback and skill development opportunities

• Represent Headfirst for Families & Facility Partners

• Represent the Headfirst brand daily to families at carpool and to school facility partners throughout the summer by being enthusiastic, hands-on, helpful, and in uniform

• Actively participate in our efforts to take care of our camp facility and lead your team to do the same

• Handle the Curveballs

• Practice resiliency and arrive with a "How Can I Help?" mentality that puts camper experience and team success at the forefront through problem solving and trying new things

About You

Must be at least 20 years old with at least (2) years at an undergraduate institution or equivalent professional experience.
Experience

• Majors in education and child development viewed favorably.

Must Be Able To

• Work around small children including, sitting, standing, running, and climbing stairs for the full day.
• Work in hot and outdoor environments while actively supervising campers and participating in dynamic activities for extended periods of time.
• Lift and carry up to 30 pounds occasionally.
• Committed to adhering to Cell-Phone Free policy, powering down and putting away cell phones in a locked pouch for the duration of your shift.

Required Certification

• First Aid & CPR Certification

, or the ability to complete these prior to May 30.

Headfirst Summer Camps is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and inclusivity across our Headfirst community, and we strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented groups and those who might need reasonable accommodation to apply.
About Headfirst
Headfirst delivers thoughtfully designed, high-quality summer and youth experiences built to elevate potential and exceed expectations. For over 25 years,Â

we've

 partnered with families, schools, and organizations to create environments where kids feel supported, challenged, and confident trying new things.

What makes Headfirst different is intentionality. WeÂ

don't

 wait and hope growth happens - weÂ

design for

 it. Our programs are carefully structured, and our staff are trained to spot, create, and celebrate breakthrough moments. TheseÂ

Headfirst Moments -Â
when a camper pushes past fear, tries something new, or surprises themselves - are built into every day.

We believe great experiences are built on relationships. Our teams prioritize genuine connection, creating welcoming environments where campers feel seen and known, staff feel supported, and families trust that every detail has been thoughtfully considered. Behind the scenes, a professional, year-round Headquarters team supports our seasonal staff with training, systems, and clearÂ

expectations

 so camps run smoothly and consistently.

When you join Headfirst,Â

you're

 joining a team that takes pride in doing things well. We care deeply about the experience we deliver, the people we work with, and the impact we have on kids and families. The work is meaningful, the standards are high, and the summers are unforgettable.