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

Rate of Pay: $158.93 per day 

Position Status: Seasonal Contract, Full time  

Spring Term: April 7th - June 20th, 2026

Fall Term: September 7th - October 18th, 2026

Reports To: Outdoor Education & Events, Assistant Manager

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 

The Outdoor Education & Events Centre is a key operational pillar of YMCA Camp Elphinstone, running primarily during the Spring and Fall seasons. During this time, the camp welcomes a wide range of participants, including school groups of various ages, adult retreats, private rentals, and large-scale events such as weddings. 

Coordinators play a crucial leadership role in supporting the management team with the execution and supervision of all centre operations. 

Working as part of a collaborative leadership team, Coordinators ensure the safe, smooth, and engaging delivery of outdoor education programs and events, while upholding the highest standards of customer service. Each Coordinator is responsible for supervising frontline staff teams, maintaining program quality and safety, providing guidance and mentorship, and helping drive a positive participant and staff experience. Although functioning as a cohesive unit, each Coordinator is assigned specific areas of responsibility within the operation. 

The Program Coordinator will work closely with management to ensure the successful planning/scheduling, delivery, and supervision of outdoor education group programs.  

The Program Coordinator will oversee all core program areas, including the waterfront, challenge course, and all land programs, while ensuring all activities meet risk management and safety standards. This role includes maintaining program equipment, supporting facility upkeep, leading programs when required, and role-modelling child-focused, values-driven behaviour.  

The Program Coordinator plays a critical role in creating safe, engaging, and impactful experiences for participants of all ages. 

Responsibilities

• Create schedules for daily programs, organizing staff placements to ensure adequate coverage across all program areas, maintaining operational ratios and supporting the smooth delivery of activities and services whilst maintaining the safety standards for each program areas
• Assist where needed with coordination and/or facilitation for all groups engaging in program on site
• Assist in staff training, and support, coach and supervise frontline staff members for the duration of the season
• Maintain YMCA programming & care standards, working to develop and improve new or existing programs and services through equipment, maintenance and development
• Ensure the safety of all members, participants, staff and property by following YMCA standards/policies/procedures and ensuring they are maintained amongst all participants and staff 
• Interact directly with children and adult guests, establish and maintain positive communication with staff, teachers, participants and guests
  
  

Qualifications

• 2 years of relevant, transferable experience across a variety of roles
• Previous experience in customer-facing roles 
• Previous experience in a supervisory role/supervising staff
• Previous experience with admin/scheduling
• Standard First Aid & CPR-C
• Class 5 BC Driver’s License or equivalent
• Relevant outdoor certifications such as the ACCT Level 2, NLS or Paddle Canada Instructor qualification
• Criminal Reference Check with a Vulnerable Sector Screening issued no later than six (6) months preceding start date
• 3 Successful Reference Checks