Jamie Davies
Julian,CA
Summary
- Enthusiastic, ambitious, and experienced outdoor education professional with a passion for creating safe, engaging, and memorable experiences for young people. Personable and highly motivated, with strong leadership, event management, and programme delivery skills gained through international experience in both the cruise industry and the United States.
- A graduate of Solent University with a degree in Adventure and Outdoor Management, I have held leadership roles including Outdoor Activity Manager and Seafarers' Welfare Coordinator with P&O Cruises. Currently, I am completing an 18-month J-1 Visa placement as Assistant Program Director at YMCA Camp Marston, where I support programme operations, staff leadership, risk management, and the delivery of high-quality outdoor education experiences.
- I bring a strong background in outdoor activities, team leadership, participant welfare, and event coordination, with a commitment to helping young people build confidence, develop skills, and create lasting memories.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Program Director
YMCA San Diego
Julian, USA
05.2025 - Current
- Managed daily Operations of summer camp, including scheduling staff shifts and overseeing the quality of instructors' facilitation skills.
- Maintained a positive, enthusiastic attitude to encourage enjoyable outdoor experiences and grow positive customer feedback.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry standards and training methodologies, continually improving service quality.
- Managed Weekend Groups and services, being the main point of contact for visiting groups on site. Helping them with any issues and adapting schedules to their needs.
- Trained and acquired Level 2 Practitioner certification, ACCT Training, all staff at YMCA Camp Marston, Rantree Ranch, and Camp Surf for Rockwall Belay sign-offs. 5 full training days have been done across all three camps for outdoor education and summer seasons.
Outdoor Activity Instructor
Centre Parcs Longleat
Warminster, wiltshire
11.2024 - 04.2025
- Facilitated Challenge Course, Zip line and rock climbing at Centre Parcs Longleat
- Facilitated Laser Combat, Paintball activities for large groups of families
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry standards and training methodologies, continually improving service quality.
- Conducted quality and safety checks daily on all equipment and safety harnesses.
- Empowered and encouraged young children to persevere with activities, building self-esteem and confidence.
Outdoor activty Team Leader: Health Centre
YMCA Camp Marston
Julian, California
05.2024 - 08.2024
- My role involved documenting all campers medications/administration times
- Being the main first aider on call 24/7, and Supporting staff around the site with any medical queries and issues
- This role involved administration and organisational skills, sometimes managing medications and health information for over 180 participants per week
- Developed open and professional relationships with team members to facilitate effective issue resolution.
- Served first point of contact for parents, enforcing company policies, answering co-workers' questions and training new staff.
Outdoor Activities Manager
P&O Cruises
Southamoton, Hampshire
11.2022 - 05.2024
- Company Overview: P&O Cruises/Carnival UK
- Originally, an outdoor instructor was promoted to outdoor manager in 2023
- My main duties were the overall running of the outdoor team, training them and maintaining high standards of safety
- My responsibilities include scheduling team rotas and guest sessions throughout cruises
- Keeping a tight inventory of all equipment, managing a budget and finding new ways to improve the course and the team to help maintain/exceed targets
- My duties for this role were the instruction/coaching of guests while participating in the ropes course, and working closely with other members of the team for a well-rounded experience for all guests
- Adapted activity plans to accommodate participants with special needs, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility.
- Conducted regular equipment inspections and maintenance to uphold high standards of safety and functionality.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive risk assessments for all outdoor programmes to maintain participant safety.
- Analysed participant feedback to continually improve programme content and delivery methods.
- During my evenings, I took a secondary role while on board The Seafarers Welfare Coordinator. These responsibilities included managing a committee of staff to plan, run and coordinate with the ship's company on what would be best needed to help keep morale and positive attitudes with the crew
- Acquired the IAPA Rescuer/Instructor for adventure parks certification
- Vertex Site PPE Inspection course
Outdoor activity Team Lead: Day Camp Specialist
Camp America YMCA
Camp Weaver, North Carolina
05.2022 - 09.2022
- This role had me run the day camp operations for the camp
- This involved managing 15-20 staff members hosting anywhere between 100-120 children a week, taking up a variety of roles to help with the running of the camp, interacting with parents daily and creating schedules for every week with different themes
- Key achievements: Running a successful day camp operation, Staff training and staff wellbeing management, Being versatile in multiple activities to help where needed, Becoming a lifeguard, Working with the public/parents on a more frequent time period
Outdoor Centre Assistant
Tile Barn Outdoor Activity Centre
Brokenhurst, Hampshire
06.2021 - 03.2022
- During the period from September 2020 to May 2021, I was studying at Solent University for a degree at Tile Barn. This was my work placement for that summer.
- The job role involved teaching a variety of activities and general care of the site
- Day-to-day roles were running activities, site maintenance and customer service
- Key achievements: Learning how UK outdoor sites run, acquiring my GB archery qualification, looking after many different groups and customers, and learning a variety of team-building activities
- Provided support to centre instructors and facilitators by preparing materials and equipment.
- Conducted regular checks to maintain cleanliness and safety standards throughout the centre.
- Coordinated setup and breakdown of rooms for various events, adhering to specific requirements.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of centre programmes and services to advise visitors accurately.
Customer Service Advisor - Team Leader
Morrisons Supermarket
Warminster, Wiltshire
09.2016 - 09.2020
- Worked at Morrisons, Warminster, from when I was 18 to the age of 23. They gave me the flexibility to leave and return in between my summer seasons at YMCA Camp Weaver 2017-2019
- Managed customer complaints calmly and professionally, escalating complex matters to managers promptly.
- Trained and supervised the team to deliver on store sales targets.
- Planned employee workloads and delegated tasks strategically to meet seasonal fluctuations in demand.
- Closely monitored team performance by conducting observations and tracking key metrics, identifying and managing underachievers appropriately.
- Served as customer service team lead, enforcing company policies, answering co-workers' questions and training new staff.
Outdoor Activity Team Lead: Activities Specialist
YMCA Camp Weaver
North Carolina
05.2019 - 10.2019
- I was tasked with the scheduling of all of the camp's activities whilst supervising around 20-30 staff
- I also stayed for two months of the outdoor education season and helped train the new OE staff on certain activities
- Key Achievements: Taking an active role in training staff, leading activity sign-ups for all campers, Learning how to supervise 20-30 staff, keeping track of equipment for camp and reordering supplies
Range Sports Chief
YMCA Camp Weaver
North Carolina
05.2018 - 10.2018
- I was in charge of three activity areas (Paintball, riflery and archery)
- It was my responsibility that all three would run smoothly and help keep them in good condition for use all summer
- Key Achievements: Running three activities over the summer, Creating new games for paintball, learning more about more equipment and how to maintain (rifles and bows)
Education
BA (HONS) - Adventure and outdoor management
Solent University
Southampton09-2022
Level 3 Creative Media Production - Video Games Development
Wiltshire College
Trowbridge, Wilshire07-2016
GCSEs -
Kingdown School
Warminster, Wiltshire07-2013
Skills
- Coaching mentality
- Safety awareness
- Safety and risk management
- Team Management
- Training staff to facilitate outdoor adventure activities
- Critical observation
Hobbies and Interests
- Airsoft
- Paintball
- Climbing
- Hiking
- Golf
- Photography
References
- Sharnaye Neale, Camp Director, YMCA Camp Marston/Raintree Ranch, Julian, California, USA, Sneale@ymcasd.org
- Luke Gerke, Camp Director, YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin, Michigan, USA, Lgerke@grymca.org
- Jamie Cosson, Executive Director, YMCA Camp Marston, Surf and Raintree Ranch jcosson@ymcasd.org
Certification
- Level 2 Practitioner Certification ACCT Accredited
- Leadership fundamentals training by YMCA of San Diego
- IAPA Rescuer/Instructor for adventure parks
- Vertex Site PPE Inspection Course
- 6-week Restorative Justice Training
- Archery GB Certification
Timeline
Assistant Program Director
YMCA San Diego
05.2025 - Current
Outdoor Activity Instructor
Centre Parcs Longleat
11.2024 - 04.2025
Outdoor activty Team Leader: Health Centre
YMCA Camp Marston
05.2024 - 08.2024
Outdoor Activities Manager
P&O Cruises
11.2022 - 05.2024
Outdoor activity Team Lead: Day Camp Specialist
Camp America YMCA
05.2022 - 09.2022
Outdoor Centre Assistant
Tile Barn Outdoor Activity Centre
06.2021 - 03.2022
Outdoor Activity Team Lead: Activities Specialist
YMCA Camp Weaver
05.2019 - 10.2019
Range Sports Chief
YMCA Camp Weaver
05.2018 - 10.2018
Customer Service Advisor - Team Leader
Morrisons Supermarket
09.2016 - 09.2020
BA (HONS) - Adventure and outdoor management
Solent University
Level 3 Creative Media Production - Video Games Development
Wiltshire College
GCSEs -
Kingdown School