Plato Learning LLC
Philadelphia, PA
US
Program Coordinator at Outdoor Adventure and Mythology Summer Day Camp
Title: Program Coordinator
Employment Status: Exempt/Seasonal
Company Summary:
Plato Learning operates outdoor mythology-based day camps for kids ages 7-15. They create a world where monsters, myth, and magic transport kids out of the mortal realm into one where they are empowered to develop new skills, take risks, solve problems, and ultimately become Heroes. With seventeen locations spanning from NYC to California, Plato Learning uses actors, live-action role-play, and physically and mentally engaging activities to bring myths to life.
Are you ready to join the team and accept our call to adventure?
Job Summary:
We are hiring energetic leaders and adventure role models to serve as summer Program Coordinators. at several camp locations. Program Coordinators are responsible for enhancing programming and engaging all campers that come to Plato Learning for our brand of hero-training, epic adventures, and unforgettable other-worldly experiences. Our Program Coordinator brings collaborative Myths to life with our campers. While similar to live-action role-playing, we put more emphasis on immersive world-building, prioritizing imagination and camper experience over production. . This role provides the structure we use to make the story interactive and support a new week-long adventure arc at each camp session and location. Additionally, Program Coordinators assist the Camp Director with daily operations to keep Camp running smoothly.
Job Responsibilities:
Engage the Demigod Campers.
Energetically and engage campers in specialty camp activities.
Create and flex multi-modal programming that will immerse and uplift every kid.
Encourage campers to take risks, participate, and explore their own personal limits, while celebrating the heroic strengths they already possess.
Support demigods in meeting their victories and defeats with grace.
Organize the Hero’s Journey
Pre-season: Schedule and adapt camp activities for use at camp.
In-season: Adapt activities to support the week’s adventure storyline and respond to the culture of camp.
Keep the scheduled activities exciting and running on-time.
Train Heroes to Lead.
Help facilitate Counselor and Performer training, leading activities with confidence and coming up with new ideas to keep programming running at its highest potential.
Set the tone for Counselors by modeling enthusiastic engagement in programming while leading it.
Facilitate Magic with the Campers.
While “Quest” is the main adventure, there are many story moments throughout the week: Quest Guide will organize scouting missions, small council discussions, oracle visits and recaps.
Actively listen, improvise, and use critical thinking to connect with the Demigods and keep an eye out for those magic moments that can be created on the fly to help them find the heroism within.
Through their positive attitude and personal standards of conduct, Quest Guides set an example of heroic behaviors for young Demigods to model.
Build an Ensemble.
With the help of the Quest Development Team, review performer submissions.
Understand the importance of telling a culturally responsible story, and cast appropriately.
Schedule training and weekly rehearsals using improv and ensemble building techniques to empower performers to make bold, adaptable character choices that center the camper’s experience.
Manage the ensemble, maintaining healthy work relationships and respecting each individual's time.
Be the “Call to Action”.
Provide the Call to Action–organize and lead large camp-wide activities, like the Olympics, or the Final Battle for 45 demigods.
Maintain the presence to keep large activities running safely and the enthusiasm to keep them fun.
Lead activities with infectious enthusiasm and a flexible mindset.
We believe the best learning comes from serious play
Steel your Resolve.
Our Camp is an energetic all-outdoor environment that requires staff and campers to embrace exciting challenges.
A Philadelphia Program Coordinator will spend most of their day on their feet and walk anywhere from 15,000-18,000 steps/day on the job, across changes in elevation and varying terrain.
As Leadership Staff are the first people our Demigods look to in times of challenge and uncertainty, we are looking for courageous individuals excited by the discomfort in adventure, and who do not shy away from responsibility, in the heat of summer, or when it is raining.
Embrace the Chaos.
Think on your toes and embrace the importance of story and adapting to the unexpected.
Be flexible: when a camper responds in an unexpected way, or a schedule/staffing change forces a plot adjustment, adapt the living story and guide the team through changes.
Create camper buy-in through an effective, engaging story with minimal reliance on conventional theater tech.
Rise to the Challenge.
Prove their efficacy through action, and handle challenging situations with kindness and readiness to help.
Resolve conflict in a constructive, uplifting, and non-punitive manner that redirects to engagement.
Build morale and uplift the team by compassionately managing unforeseen circumstances with decisive clarity and a high level of initiative.
Care for campers and your fellow staff through service-leadership. This may look like supervising a cabin group, temporarily covering another leadership role, or managing challenging behavioral situations when they arise.
The Hours.
Approx 5-10 hours/week of remote training and prep-work from May-June for an estimated total of approximately 80 hours.
Facilitate Performer Training to prepare for In-Person Training Week
Facilitate 40 hour In-Person Training week, the week before each program’s start date
40-45 hours/week in-person at your camp location for your program’s 6 weeks
Camp Schedule: 7:30am-4:30pm; Monday-Friday (Campers present 8:45-4:10)
What abilities are we looking for?
Experience working with children ages 7-14 in schools, at camps, after school programs, or other structured capacites
Leadership Experience– previous performer, staff or classroom management is a plus
Organized, versatile leaders with unique vision, capable of telling engaging stories with minimal tech
Strong initiative, conflict resolution, and communication skills with a team-player attitude
Ability to physically and vocally command attention in an outdoor space with positive and engaging energy
Full time availability in summer
Ability to maintain stamina, excitement, and endurance while working in an outdoor, high-energy environment.
Plato Learning would like to put forth this statistic. While men apply to jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the requirements, women and other underrepresented people often only apply when they match all criteria. Even if you don't meet every checkbox in the job description, but you think you have what it takes, we encourage you to apply.
Benefits and Compensation:
Compensation: $16/hour for in-season work
Pre-Season Work/Training (May-June): ~6-9 hours/week at $15.50/hour
During Camp and Staff Training Weeks: 45-50 hours/week for your program’s 6 weeks
Referral Bonus: $50 bonus for any referred applicants who are hired for a seasonal position and work at least two weeks. Paid at the end of the season
Opportunity for Advancement. As Plato Learning grows, we look within our talented seasonal staff to fill full-time opportunities when they arise within the company.
Community. Containing hundreds of creative-minded heroes, the Plato Learning network carries authors, podcasters, performers, dungeon masters, and many others ready to chat and create.
Please keep in mind the start and end dates for the Philadelphia season:
Training takes place the week of June 17th
Camp season runs June 24th-August 2nd
Ready to Send an Application via Iris Message?:
Please visit https://www.mythikcamps.com/work-with-us/to fill out an application. Only candidates selected for an interview will be notified of next steps.
Hesitation of Hermes:
Questions before you apply? Email us at [email protected]
Jun 24, 2024 - Aug 2, 2024
$16.00 – $16.00 per hour
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