Andrew VanDerWege

Experience

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  YMCA of Boulder Valley

  Jan 2003 - Jan 2010

  Major Responsibilities: Manage camp operations including resident camp, outdoor education, and conferences and retreats. Lead 35 seasonal staff members. Build relationships with donors, schools, families and community partners.Key Accomplishments:Conceptualized development, goals and long-term plans for Camp Santa Maria, the YMCA’s new resident camp.Prepared a proposal, securing a facility ($200,000 annual in-kind donation) and yearly grant ($50,000) annually.Served as a liaison between the boards of the YMCA of Boulder Valley and the Dower Foundation, our non-profit foundation partner.Designed a staffing structure, wage plan, and job descriptions for each position.Set policies and procedures, developed a staff manual and adventure program guides, and created a staff training program focusing on role-play and experiential activities.Mentored leadership staff in developing their facilitation skills and led a collaborative process of developing and delivering seasonal staff trainings.Built a progressive camp program promoting skill building and teamwork, and developed an experiential outdoor education curriculum specific to the location and history of camp.Developed relationships with the National Forest Service and State Parks, securing permits for use.Partnered with CASA Start and Project YES to provide camp experiences for Latino youth.Led the process of seeking American Camp Association accreditation, a volunteer accrediting process ensuring the upholding of industry standards, successfully attaining accreditation each year.Used data from participant and parent evaluations to review and improve programs using American Camp Association research and assessment models.Proposed and managed an annual budget resulting in a surplus each year, growing to $750,000 in 2010.Delivered inspirational presentations at fundraising events and led volunteers in exceeding goals for the Strong Kids and Kids to Camp campaigns. Show less Major Responsibilities: Manage operations of nine seasonal camps (two traditional day camps, a three-week resident camp, sports camp, fine arts camp, animal appreciation camp, cycling camp, skateboarding camp, and teen adventure camp), serving 350 campers per week. Lead nine seasonal directors and their staff members. Fulfill the vision and mission of the YMCA of Boulder Valley by serving a diverse population.Key Accomplishments:Assessed the variety and quality of day camps offered and introduced new camps, including the Chief Niwot Jr’s program for campers ages 5-7, and the Challengers Teen Travel Adventure program.Created a hiring guide, trained directors in the hiring process and led training for 80 seasonal staff members.In partnership with City of Boulder Parks and Recreation, served children with special needs in inclusive programs.Boosted outdoor recreation programming by partnering with the Colorado Division of Wildlife to provide angler education programs, and the Colorado State Parks and City Municipalities to provide interpretive nature programs.Secured permits for National Forest Service and City of Boulder Mountain Parks and Open Space use.Worked with the Boulder Valley School District, Department of Parks and Recreation, Humane Society, Elks’ Club, and United Methodist Camp Buckhorn to secure affordable camp locations.Joined a task force to assist Colorado Department of Human Services in revising childcare and day camp standards.Created marketing materials including brochure, website content, and alumni newsletters.Developed and managed the budget and increased revenue 30% ($150,000) in three years.Led volunteers, exceeding goals, in the Strong Kids Campaign fundraiser, and secured in-kind donations of equipment and services to offset camp program costs. Show less

  • Director YMCA Camp Santa Maria

    Jan 2007 - Jan 2010

  • Director of Camping

    Jan 2003 - Jan 2007
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  American Camp Association

  Nov 2005 - Nov 2010

  Board Member

  Major Responsibilities: Support camps in Colorado and Wyoming. Provide organization and leadership for regional and national educational events. Serve as a standards visitor.Key Accomplishments:Served in vision and strategic planning for the ACA Rocky Mountain Section, and attended a summit of education chairs to participate in developing the vision and strategic plan for ACA National.Assessed needs and relevant topics for professionals in the camping industry and arranged education sessions, scheduling nationally recognized speakers for local and regional Fall Conference and Spring Workshop events.Organized networking and training opportunities, including Fall Camp Tour, Standards Update Training, Standards Visitor Training and lifeguard, wilderness first aid, wilderness first responder, CPR, and archery certifications.Provided leadership to the ACA Camp West Conference as a member of the conference steering committee, and to the American Camp Association National Conference as a member of the conference program committee.Participated in negotiation and planning of the ACA Rocky Mountain Section budget. Show less

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  YMCA of Honolulu

  Dec 2011 - Aug 2014

  Senior Program Director

  Major Responsibilities: Manage camp operations including resident camp, outdoor education, and conferences and retreats. Lead 25 year-round and 40 seasonal staff members. Build relationships with YMCA board members, donors, schools, military organizations, families and community partners. Fulfill the vision and mission of the YMCA of Honolulu by serving Hawaii’s diverse population.Key Accomplishments: Assembled a leadership group committed to a culture of collaboration and support, and worked as a team to assess programs to determine mission driven goals for staffing, curriculum and community outreach.Established a board program committee to assess program offerings in support of the strategic plan.Initiated partnerships with local organizations to offer professional development events serving 400 professionals.Modified camp and outdoor education programs to focus on experiential curriculum and developed goals to foster character development and expand Hawaiian culture education.Worked with local experts to cultivate a native plant nursery, long-term plans for coastal restoration and education.Provided services for 200 youth and 100 military families to aid in coping with deployment.Implemented systems for obtaining feedback about participant experiences in order to alter programs as appropriate.Developed and managed the budget, generating a surplus of $190,000 in 2013, increasing revenue from $1,900,000 (2011) to $2,400,000 (2014).Led board and volunteers in implementing a model of year round donor centered fundraising.Led staff members and volunteers in the Strong Kids Fundraising Campaign and worked with program directors throughout the year to identify and develop relationships with potential volunteers and donors.Prepared a grant proposal and was awarded $40,000 to provide programs for 70 middle school military youth. Show less

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  Go West Camps

  Sept 2014 - now

  Founder & CEO

  The adventure has just begun!