About
J. Michael Smith
Recreation & program management · Business owner · St. Augustine, Florida
Get in touch: Mike4g8rs@gmail.com
Summary
I've spent nearly two decades running recreation programs — summer camps, community centers, resort activities, and programs for communities of thousands — hiring and managing staff, running budgets, and building programs people show up for. From 2011 to 2017 I was a stay-at-home dad to our five children and wrote the Sunshine Dad blog about those years. Since 2022 I've owned and operated St. Augustine Handyman, providing handyman services across the St. Augustine area.
Experience
St. Augustine Handyman — Business Owner
Sep 2022 – PresentOwner-operator providing handyman services to clients in the St. Augustine area (stahandyman.com).
Ancient City Gymnastics — Camp Director
Mar 2022 – Aug 2022Supervised, organized, and coordinated 20 staff and 70 children in a 9-week summer camp.
City of Palm Coast Parks & Recreation — Recreation Supervisor
Jan 2018 – Jul 2021Community Center Supervisor (Aug 2019 – Jul 2021): oversaw adult programs, community center rentals, front desk staff, and building maintenance, in addition to youth programs and camps. Hired, trained, and managed a staff of 40 and a budget of $600K.
Youth Supervisor (Jan 2018 – Aug 2019): oversaw toddler, youth, and teen programs and camps, including 5 summer camps. Hired, trained, and managed a staff of about 20 and a budget of $200K.
Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa — Recreation Supervisor
Mar 2017 – Nov 2017Oversaw recreation facilities and staff; planned, organized, and implemented recreation programming for hotel guests, including operating and training staff on the SurfStream surf machine.
SunshineDad.com — Blogger & Stay-at-Home Dad
Dec 2011 – Mar 2017Blogged about the adventures of being a stay-at-home dad while raising our 5 children, ages 7 and under. The complete blog is back online as an archive — see the link below.
Avalon Walk / Town Walk Apartments — Director of Recreation and Activities
Apr 2007 – Dec 2011Oversaw the recreation facilities and planned, organized, and implemented recreation programming and resident events for 2,000 residents of all ages. Hired, trained, and managed part-time and full-time staff, produced a monthly newsletter, created and maintained a budget, and created and ran a summer camp for resident youth.
YMCA of Key West — Camp Director
May 2006 – Aug 2006Supervised as many as 9 staff and 60 children in a summer day camp; organized, coordinated, and ran day-to-day activities for grades K–8.
Partnership for Strong Families / DCF — Family Care Counselor
Aug 2004 – May 2005Ensured children were safe from physical and mental harm, referred families to community services, and reported progress to courts, maintaining a caseload of 30 children.
Earlier roles: Substitute Teacher, Duval Public Schools (2012–2013) and Hamden Public Schools (2005–2006); Employment Specialist, Community Solutions Employment Re-Entry Program (2006–2007); Childcare Worker, Children's Center of Hamden (2006).
Education
University of Florida
1998–1999; 2001–2004Bachelor's degree in Family, Youth and Community Sciences, with concentrated studies in Youth and Recreation. Bright Futures Scholar.