THE OPPORTUNITY

The Camp Manito-Wish YMCA Board of Directors (“Board”) is actively seeking a visionary and inclusive leader who will lead Camp Manito-Wish (“Camp”) forward and build upon past successes. This is an exceptional opportunity for a hands-on, highly motivated, and cause-driven professional to work closely with the Board and key camp stakeholders. The CEO will provide guidance and leadership for programming operations, risk management, fundraising, DEI initiatives, and community outreach.

Candidates must have solid business acumen, sound judgment, willingness to listen to the needs of the participants and staff, and exceptional leadership skills. They must have a proven track record that demonstrates an ability to successfully implement and promote the Camp’s services and activities at multiple sites, assess the Camp Manito-Wish’s physical and program needs, develop new Camp programs, raise funds through annual and capital campaigns, develop and manage a diverse staff, work with a YMCA Board that focuses on strategic rather than operational issues, and connect and build relationships with local governmental, civic, and tribal communities and among Camp’s alumni. Solid staff development and program management are critical areas for the CEO. Candidates must share the organization’s commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) through both its operations and governance and demonstrate a track record of inclusive leadership.

YMCA ASSOCIATION FACTS

Camp Manito-Wish YMCA was founded in 1919 and just celebrated 105 seasons of camping. The boy’s camp was opened in 1919 and the girl’s camp started in 1941. In the 105 years of service to the community there have only been seven Executive Directors/CEOs which allowed for consistency and continuity in program, service, and delivery.

• Mission Statement: The mission for the organization is to enrich the character and leadership development of each person who has a Manito-Wish experience by challenging them to grow in wisdom, stature, in favor with God and one another.
• Vision Statement: The Manito-wish experience develops confident, responsible, and enlightened leaders who will improve the world in which they live.
• DEI Commitment Statement: Camp Manito-wish YMCA strives to create an inclusive environment by upholding human dignity, valuing diversity, and acknowledging unique experiences.
• Service Area: Located in Boulder Junction, Wisconsin with 50% of the participants coming from Wisconsin, 25% from northern Illinois and 25% from across the country (~39 states and 9 countries in 2017).
• Staff: 17 FT staff and 3 PT with 270 seasonal staff (2023). The following four staff report to the Chief Executive Officer: Director of Finance & Business Administration, Development Director, Operations Director, and Marketing and Recruitment Director.

CORE PROGRAMS

• Summer Camp: The Summer Camp Program offers youth in grades 5-10 the unique combination of extended wilderness camping experiences and traditional in-camp activities. All campers partake in a wilderness canoe, backpacking, or sea kayaking trip of 3-8 days in length, and have the opportunity to learn sailing, archery, crafts, horsemanship, music, biking, tennis and other skill-based activities. Summer Camp includes one three-week session for boys and one three-week session for girls.
• Outpost Wilderness Program: Outpost offers small-group adventures for young men and women in grades 9-12 that focus on both the hard and soft skills necessary for extended wilderness travel. Participants learn about their own abilities and leadership qualities through the challenge of a 9 to 45-day canoeing, backpacking or sea kayaking trip. Trip destinations include: Isle Royale National Park, Quetico Provincial Park, northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Nunavut, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana and Alaska.
• Leadership Program: Collaborative leadership is practiced through tailored facilitation and small group activities. Tools such as the high and low challenge course, indoor climbing wall and overnight camping trips provide participants the opportunity to learn and grow individually and as a group. Customized programs of varying lengths are offered to middle and high schools, youth serving agencies, colleges/universities, and other organizations.

Additional Programs include,

• Family Programs, including two Family Camp sessions (4-days and 6-days, respectively), a Memorial Day (volunteer) Work Weekend, and a Fall Family Weekend.
• Emerging Leader Programs, programs for young men and women in grades 10-12.
• An Outdoor Leadership School for Manito-wish staff and other wilderness leaders that provides an array of trainings from wilderness medicine to water safety.

FINANCIAL POSITION

Annual Operating Budget of roughly $5.5M with Net Assets, including endowment funds, of $14M.

FACILITIES

20 year-round buildings (60,000 sq. ft.); 48 seasonal buildings (215,000 sq. ft.); 566 beds; 450-seat dining hall; heritage center; administration building; trips building; staff housing; and leadership center. There is 1.5 miles of lakefront shoreline (no pool), tennis courts, riflery, horses (summer only) health center and skiing/hiking/horse/bike trails (35KM). The ages of the facilities range from 1925 to new construction.

DEVELOPMENT

Camp’s development efforts are focused on three areas and have a 5-year goal (FY22-FY27) of ~$8MM ($3.6MM progress to date). The Annual Fund Drive (5-year goal of ~$2.6MM), FY2024 goal $550,000 funds camperships and areas of greatest need. Endowment goals (5-Year goal of ~$2MM) include sustainable funding for campership, facility maintenance, program areas and staff positions. Capital project goals (5-year goal of ~$3.4MM) include replacement of camper cabins and other facility upgrades.

ABOUT THE AREA

Boulder Junction is one of the great towns in Wisconsin with a population of more than 1,400. Boulder Junction is in Vilas County. Living in Boulder Junction offers residents a rural feel and most residents own their homes. It’s a great place to raise a family and the public schools in Boulder Junction are highly rated.

Coming to the Northwoods of Wisconsin—Boulder Junction is in Vilas County, and you will explore hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails and nearly 200 lakes perfect for boating, paddling, fishing, and swimming. The area offers excellent schools, a high quality of life, outstanding outdoor recreation and extraordinary natural beauty.

The area has a number of supper clubs, family friendly restaurants and more to sample everything from hard-to-find craft beers to a classic Friday night fish fry. Visitors find great places to rest and relax in cabins, cottages, resorts, and hotels.

INFORMATION SITES

• Camp Manito-Wish YMCA
• Boulder Junction, WI
• Vilas County, WI
• YMCA of the USA

Minimum Candidate Criteria:

Preferred Candidate Criteria:

The Board believes our Camp’s CEO should be an experienced leader who has the background and qualities that will permit the CEO to achieve excellence in the following roles:

Build and Manage the Full-Time Staff Team: Ensures that a talent management system is in place and executed effectively. The system will support an outstanding, dedicated, and competent staff team. Establish an individual development plan for each direct report. Hire, motivate, nurture, retain, and hold staff accountable for key objectives. Encourage the team by creating a spirit of camaraderie and sense of mission/purpose. Create a learning organization which encourages all staff members to learn, grow and develop management skills.

• Key competencies sought include: Team building, talent motivation, inspiring creativity & resourcefulness, and enriching camp culture.

Maintain/Establish a Culture: Strengthen a culture of inclusion, engagement, character, ownership and life-long learning within the organization that reinforces, encourages, and promotes values of honesty, respect, responsibility, caring, and empowering others to succeed. Effectively drive change, while respecting the heritage and culture of Camp, by leveraging resources and creating alignment to expand organization opportunities.

• Key competencies sought include: Customer focused, establish and maintain high standards, consensus-building, self-confidence, excellent communication skills, and strong business skills.

Implement a Strategic Plan: The ability to work effectively with the Board, volunteers, leaders, and key staff to identify critical community needs and develop a strategic plan focused on organizational strategies. Lead staff in the development and implementation of goals through an annual operating plan. Lead volunteers in aligning committees and their charters of work to support the strategies and goals of the Camp.

• Key competencies sought include: Influence, values, relationships, inclusion, communication, project management, innovation, decision making, quality results.

POSITION EXPECTATIONS

Within the first year the CEO should, at a minimum:

• Have a plan for full enrollment of Summer Camp with full staffing needs met, with a focus on development of counselor and leadership staff; as well as plans for Outpost and Leadership to best deliver the budget.
• Understand the mission and culture of Camp
• Create a strong relationship with the leadership team at camp so delivery of programs and services are seamless.
• Develop the FY 2025 budget
• Continue planning process for an in-progress capital development project
• Develop a CEO/Staff community engagement plan
• Accomplish other performance objectives, as agreed upon with the Board president

SALARY RANGE

$145,000 - $165,000 annual salary. An annual bonus of up to $10,000 is also available upon the achievement of agreed upon objectives.

RESIDENCY EXPECTATION

This position requires on-site presence at Camp Manito-Wish in Boulder Junction, Wisconsin. Candidates seeking to work remotely will not be considered. There is no housing available on-site.

BENEFITS

• Health, dental, LTD and Life Insurance offered through the National YMCA Employee Benefits Plan
• Monthly contributions of 12% of gross wages made to the YMCA Retirement Fund
• 403B Savings Plan available through the YMCA Retirement Fund
• PTO and Sick Days commensurate with years of service
• Use of Camp-owned vehicle that includes maintenance and fuel charges paid by Camp, subject to an agreed-upon personal use reimbursement
• Other benefits per personnel policy

SEARCH PROCESS TARGET DATES*

• Resumes accepted through: August 31, 2023, Noon, CST
• Preliminary interviews scheduled: September 28 and 29, 2023
• On-site interviews: October 19 and 20, in the area by afternoon of October 18 and depart mid-afternoon on October 20
• New CEO on boarding (anticipated): Early 2024

• dates subject to change

References, Background Check, and Organizational Leader Certification:

Candidates must submit the following in their online application: a resume, cover letter, and six references (four professional and two personal that are not directly related). References checked on final candidates only with prior notification. Successful candidate accepting the offer must pass a background check and must have a current Y-USA’s Organizational Leader Certification or obtain certification within the first three years from start date as the CEO.

Candidates must apply via the following website: https://tinyurl.com/camp-manito-wish-ymca-ceo

QUESTIONS

About the Search Process?

Richard Clegg, CEO Search Senior Consultant, YMCA of the USA, richard.clegg@ymca.net

About Camp Manito-Wish YMCA?

Jon Agnew, CEO, Upper Midwest Alliance of YMCAs, jagnew@wiymca.org