Would You Take This Job? – Branch Executive Director, YMCA Camp Miller

Job Title: Branch Executive Director – Camping Services
Employer: YMCA Camp Miller
Location: Sturgeon Lake, Minnesota
Type: Full-time, year-round position with on-site summer residency
Salary: $65,000–$80,000 per year
Housing: Room and board provided (year-round housing available)

Requirements:

  • BA/BS in business, nonprofit management, outdoor education, or a related field

  • 3+ years of experience in camp or recreation leadership

  • Strong leadership, financial management, and staff supervision experience

  • Ability to live on-site during summer camp season

  • CPR/First Aid certification (can be completed after hire)

Responsibilities:

  • Lead all aspects of a 340-acre residential camp serving 750+ youth each summer

  • Oversee summer and year-round programming (school groups, retreats, weddings)

  • Recruit, hire, and manage seasonal and year-round staff

  • Maintain facilities and safety standards, and lead ACA accreditation efforts

  • Develop partnerships and grow fundraising campaigns to support camp operations

  • Act as a key member of the Duluth Area Family YMCA’s executive team

Apply and view more here:
https://www.ymca.org/get-involved/careers/opportunities/open-positions/21764

Would You Take It?

This is a leadership role with serious scope—programming, fundraising, staff development, and strategic planning—all centered in a historic, mission-driven summer camp. But it also means year-round responsibility, seasonal pressure, and living on-site for part of the year.

Would you take this job? Why or why not?

Room and board can be a real pay bump - when I directed a similar camp up north, it was worth roughly $15k once you count utilities. I’d ask if winter housing includes heat, internet, and plowing, and whether summer residency comes with guaranteed off-nights or backup coverage; that was the difference between sustainable and burnout for me.

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That salary with year-round housing is compelling if winter housing includes heat and stable internet given how rural Sturgeon Lake is. I’d want to know the split between fundraising and program ops, and whether summer residency can accommodate a family. If there’s a solid board and some capital support for facilities, I’d seriously consider it.

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