[2026] Challenge Course Supervisor, Fresh Air Camps

CHALLENGE COURSE SUPERVISOR
Fresh Air Camps | Hudson Valley, NY | June 11 – August 15, 2026 

Since its founding in 1877, The Fresh Air Fund, a not-for-profit youth development organization, has provided free life-changing summer experiences in the outdoors to more than 1.8 million children from New York City’s underserved communities. Young people also participate in year-round leadership, career exploration and educational programs. For more information, visit www.FreshAir.org.

The Fresh Air Fund also owns and operates the Sharpe Reservation which houses five of the six Fresh Air Camps, the Sharpe Reservation Environmental Center which serves over 18,000 visitors each year. The Fresh Aid Fund also operates Camp Junior, a camp for young people from the Bronx in Harriman State Park.

Position Summary:

The Summer Challenge Course Supervisor works with the Summer Challenge Course Facilitators to provide quality team and community building, SEL, and high challenge programs for all six Fresh Air Summer Camps. The Summer Challenge Course Supervisor is responsible for the day-to-day scheduling, time off, and low challenge in-service training along with facilitating in both low and high challenge courses. When not at the challenges courses the Summer Challenge Course Supervisor lives at camp and supports camp as part of an administration team.

Responsibilities:

1. Responsible for the overall implementation and supervision of all challenge course staff.
2. Work with director supervisor to verify and document facilitators’ skills before campers arrive.
3. Manage the daily schedule for the challenge course usage.
4. Supervise, support, and evaluate the Challenge Course Facilitators.
5. Responsible for orienting the general camp staff to the philosophy of the ropes course and enforcing safety procedures with all Fresh Air Fund campers and staff. 
6. Assume responsibility for safety and well-being of campers.
7. Maintain the High Ropes and Teams Courses to comply with all pertinent safety codes.
8. Submit all forms, regulations, evaluations, and inventories that are required.
9. Must attend four-day technical skills training during orientation. Must have or obtain during orientation a current First Aid and CPR certification. Both trainings provided at Camp.
10. Address stressful situations appropriately in a fast-paced, interactive environment.
11. When not working at the challenge course, Summer Challenge Course Supervisor is expected to participate in administrative duties at the assigned camp.
12. Understand that campers come first and decisions should be made in the best interest of campers.
13. Strive to work in a cooperative manner with fellow staff to achieve goals of the program.
14. Explain and enforce the policies, traditions, and rules of camp.
15. Invest time with campers to meet their needs, challenge their capabilities, and serve as a role model during their time at camp. 
16. Assume responsibility for the use and care of camp equipment and facilities.
17. Be totally familiar with emergency procedures and follow them when necessary.
18. Additional responsibilities as needed and assigned.

Qualifications:

1. Must be at least 21 years of age by the start of camp.
2. At least one year of college is preferred but must have a high school diploma by the summer.
3. A minimum of one-year experience working with children is required.
4. Must have prior experience as a facilitator on a low ropes course as well as experience with teambuilding and facilitation.
5. Prior supervisory experience is preferred.
6. Passionate about working with children. 
7. Interested in working and living in the outdoors for the summer.
8. Emotionally mature with a willingness to work as a team player. 
9. Flexible and willing to accept challenges and step outside comfort zone. 
10. Able to maintain a positive attitude. 
11. Must be able to sit, stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop or kneel, talk or hear. 
12. Able to regularly lift and/or move equipment and supplies weighing 20+ pounds.
13. Comfortable with being exposed to wet, humid, and hot/very hot conditions.
14. Available for the entire duration of the summer program.

The Fresh Air Fund requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or to apply for reasonable accommodation.

• Employment Period: June 11, 2026 — August 15, 2026  
• Compensation: The salary range is $3,800 - $4,800 commensurate with experience.  

Application Instructions

To apply, please complete a Challenge Course Supervisor Application. We are hiring on a rolling basis and encourage interested applicants to apply as early as possible. No calls or recruiters, please. 

The Fresh Air Fund is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusive hiring, and dedicated to diversity in its work and on its staff. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, experiences, orientations, and communities to apply.