Rate of Pay: $138.93 per day
Position Status: Seasonal Contract, Full time
Term: June 22nd – August 23rd OR August 30th, 2025
Reports To: Program Supervisor
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 Outdoor Living Skills Instructor.
The Outdoor Living Skills Instructor plays a crucial role in teaching and guiding campers in essential wilderness skills, including knot tying, shelter building, fire building, and orienteering. This position involves delivering hands-on, interactive lessons that engage campers in a fun and supportive environment, while emphasizing safety, skill progression, and confidence building in outdoor skills.
The instructor is responsible for creating a curriculum that allows campers to progressively develop their abilities, from basic foundational techniques to more advanced skills, depending on age and experience levels. Through structured activities, group challenges, and individual tasks, the instructor helps campers gain a practical understanding of survival skills and fosters a deep respect and appreciation for the outdoors.
The Outdoor Living Skills Instructor is a member of the program staff team at camp. The program staff team plays a crucial role in delivering engaging camp activities and assisting fellow staff with program implementation. In addition to instructing camp activities, program staff contribute to camper supervision, provide evening cabin support, facilitate early morning and evening programs, manage program logistics, and ensure the care and maintenance of camp equipment. Program staff are also expected to provide cabin support as needed to enhance the overall camp experience and ensure a safe, supportive environment for all campers.
Responsibilities
- Facilitating experiential and camper-focused Outdoor Living Skills programs with children ages 5-17.
- Lead engaging sessions on outdoor skills such as knot tying, shelter building, fire making, and orienteering.
- Develop and implement a progressive skill-building curriculum tailored to various age and skill levels.
- Ensure safety and supervise campers during all activities, maintaining a positive and inclusive environment.
- Encourage teamwork, individual growth, and respect for the outdoors.
- Assess and adapt instruction based on campers' needs, abilities, and progress.
- Work with the other members of the program staff team to accomplish shared responsibilities.
Qualifications
- Standard First Aid & CPR-C
- Previous camp or outdoor education experience
- 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)
- PMBIA Level 1
- NL Pool or Waterfront
- ACCT Level 2
