Overview
The ETYSA Program Director manages an 8-week summer camp program that starts with staff training and ends with a race week for intermediate – advanced sailors. This program spans a variety of skill levels – from young novice sailors just being introduced to a sailboat for the first time to teens ready to join their high school race teams. ETYSA uses the facility at Blackbeard Sailing Club (BSC) and is the only youth program on the premises. It has a fleet of 10 Optis, 6 Topaz Unos, and 6 420s, plus 3 coach boats. BSC is located on Upper Broad Creek that opens into the Neuse River, providing an excellent venue for sailors of all skill levels. ETYSA has a history of very dedicated volunteers that started the program and continue to support it. The summer program has been run by career sailing professionals for the past 5+ years and program continues to grow.
This position reports to the ETYSA Board of Directors, with the President as the Primary Point of Contact.
Specific Duties
Managing Summer Camp
- Responsible for the safety of all campers, staff, and equipment.
- Responsible for monitoring the weather and adjusting program appropriately.
· Provide staff with positive and constructive feedback on a regular basis.
· Provide a safe, trusting, learning-filled and fun environment for sailors to thrive on the water and keep them wanting to come back.
· Assume overall risk management for all staff and campers on and off the water.
Staff Training
· Train all staff prior to the start of camp on the following topics:
o Summer Camp Schedule & Curriculum
o Staff Expectations
o ETYSA Policies
o Emergency Plans
o Camper Behavioral Management
o Creating a Welcoming Environment
o Hands on training with all sail and powerboat types
· Prep the site and boats prior to the start of camp:
o Rig all boats
o Replace missing parts
o Service powerboats
o Buy camper supplies
o Secure staff shirts
· Ensure each staff member holds up to date certifications.
Skill Development for Campers and Staff
- Teach safety, boat handling, and sailing theory to campers ages 7+ in dinghies who are beginning, intermediate or racing sailors.
- Follow the US Sailing Small Boat Progression of Learning Teaching Method (chalk talks, land drills, water drills, debrief, student check ins).
- Use the Little Red Book as a curriculum guide and track camper skill progress.
· Set the curriculum goals for each day and communicate to staff, volunteers, and campers what water drills will take place during each sailing session.
· Hold staff accountable to delivering the program curriculum, adhering to maintenance processes, using best practices to deliver sailing instruction, and using a sailor-first mentality.
· Create camper boat groups (appropriate based on type of boat, skill level, sailor age and wind speed) each sailing session.
o Shift campers if there is a safety issue or camper behavior challenge.
· Assign staff jobs each day and make staff boat assignments (powerboats or sailboats with campers).
Communication
· Ensure each camper is registered, has paid, and collect waivers on the first day.
· Meet with staff daily to determine curriculum priorities and address any camper issues.
· Alert the Board of Directors of any significant issues in a timely manner / will also fill out incident reports and share with BOD + Blackbeard Commodore + parent/guardian.
· Problem solve camper to camper behavior issues, following the Behavior Management policy. Communicate with parents as needed. Address issues promptly and professionally.
· Keep all receipts and turn them into the Board Treasurer monthly.
· Specific Comms:
1. Weekly email to parents prior to their each session.
2. Weekly Group Me for urgent parent communications.
3. Weekly staff text about following week details.
4. Calls to parent/guardians as needed for incidents or no-show campers.
5. Regular Board updates; attend Board meetings if possible.
6. Little Red Book progress is documented for each camper and sent home with them at the end of their session(s).
Site Responsibility
· Ensure the site is set up each morning and clean at the end of each day.
· Ensure the boats are moved at the end of each week to create a smaller footprint for Blackbeard Members using the site.
· Keep campers in their designated areas during the day.
· Assist PD in maintaining sailboat and powerboat fleet, coordinating maintenance and supplies as needed. Every week requires a full fleet of working boats.
o Gas is needed for the powerboats on a bi-weekly basis. Oil needs to be checked and replaced regularly based on the type of engine.