View Job Posting and Apply Here: Overnight Camp and Outdoor Education Opportunities | YMCA BC

Rate of Pay: $140.93 

Position Status: Seasonal Contract, Full time  

Term: June 8th – August 23rd OR 30th, 2025 

Reports To: Assistant Manager of Campers 

Situation 

YMCA Camp Elphinstone is located near Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast, a 40-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay, Vancouver. It is situated on 144 acres of temperate rainforest along the shores of Howe Sound. During July and August, Camp Elphinstone offers programs for youth ages 5-17, including one and two week overnight camps, Leadership Development programs, paddling and hiking multi-day out-trips, and day camps. From September to June, Camp Elphinstone operates as an Outdoor Education, Event and Retreat Centre for schools, conferences, weddings, and other special interest groups. Camp Elphinstone currently serves over 10,000 participants annually.  

YMCA Camp Elphinstone has accommodation and dining for up to 472 campers or guests. Camp Elphinstone employs approximately 140 staff/volunteers during July and August, with a team between 20-50 for the spring and fall Outdoor Education seasons, and a smaller core team of 10 staff during the winter season. Successful Camp Elphinstone staff are self-motivated individuals whose ambition is to help children and youth develop in an outdoor camp setting, and who believe in 5-star customer service for all client groups.  

Nature & Scope 

YMCA Camp Elphinstone is seeking individuals to fill the role of Leadership Development 1 (LD1) Counsellor. 

These staff members are responsible for delivering and facilitating the LD1 program for 15 and 16 year-old campers. They work cooperatively with other members of the staff team to develop and deliver their program, which builds camp skills, leadership abilities and group development among participants.  

The LD1 program has an emphasis on the more technical skills associated with camp life. It provides opportunities for young people to develop their own leadership skills through hands on instruction in camp programs. The LD1 program goes on an offsite paddling or backpack out-trip and LD1 Counsellors must be comfortable participating in these out-trips. Previous camp experience is essential, as is a high level of core camp skills and group facilitation as well as the desire to support the development of youth leaders in a camp setting. 

LD1 Counsellors are apart of the Leadership Development team. The Leadership Development program is designed to support youth through learning valuable leadership skills that are transferable to a broad spectrum of life of work situations. Leadership Development staff are integral to the success of the program and are expected to uphold a high level of professionalism. 

Responsibilities 

• Live in cabins with a co-counsellor and up to 10 campers. Accompany cabin to all programs throughout the day. Provide 24 hour supervision to these campers.
• Plan and deliver experiential and educational leadership programming. Facilitate Camp Elphinstone’s core programs such as high ropes, canoeing, kayaking, archery etc. and be able to adapt programming to suit the LD1 outcomes.
• Manage group dynamics and behaviour of the cabin group to ensure the emotional and physical safety of all campers. Ensure that all campers feel supported, safe, and all of their needs (physical, emotional, social, medical, and nutritional) are being met.
• Support multi-day canoe or backpacking trips with co-counsellor and 10 campers.
• Seek help from a supervisor when it is appropriate or necessary.

Qualifications 

• Age 19+ by start of contract
• Standard First Aid and CPR-C
• Experience working with youth
• Criminal Reference Check with a Vulnerable Sector Screening issued no later than six (6) months preceding start date 
• 2 Successful Reference Checks

Additional Qualifications (assets) 

• NL Pool or Waterfront
• Livesaving Instructor
• National Lifeguard Instructor
• BC Class 4 Driver’s license