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

Rate of Pay: $144.61 per day plus food & accommodation

Position Status: Temporary, Full time  

Start Date: June 21, 2026 

End Date: September 04, 2026

Reports To: Waterfront 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 Camp Counsellor - Lifeguard.

Lifeguards are responsible for the safety and positive experience of all campers and staff on the waterfront and they ensure all swimming and boating activities meet British Columbia Camping Association (BCCA), Lifesaving and YMCA standards. Lifeguards are required to positively role model, teach, and enforce waterfront safety rules and regulations for all campers and staff. Lifeguards are responsible for assisting with the care and maintenance of all waterfront equipment.

The Camp Counsellor – Lifeguard is a member of the Camp Counsellor team with a specialization.

Camp Counsellors work in pairs to lead a cabin of campers throughout their time at Camp Elphinstone, building an inclusive group dynamic, and ensuring the safety of all participants in their care. Camp Counsellors also work in Day Camp, leading a group of day campers during the day and supporting the rest of the team in the evenings. Many Counsellors have specializations; roles that they fill for certain weeks of the summer. Available specializations include Lifeguard, Paddling Instructor, Mountain Biking Instructor, Rock Wall/High Ropes Instructor, & Inclusion Staff. Depending on staffing needs, Counsellors with specializations may spend between a few weeks to the entire summer in their specialized role. All members of the Camp Counsellor team sleep in cabins with campers. Counsellors with specializations are paid at the same rate regardless of their role each week.

Responsibilities

While acting as a Lifeguard 

• Ensure the safety of all campers and staff at the waterfront during all swimming and boating activities.
• Regularly inspect, maintain, and inventory all waterfront equipment. Report issues to the Waterfront Supervisor.
• Work with the other Waterfront staff to be prepared and familiar with Camp Elphinstone’s waterfront emergency procedures.
• Work with the other members of the Camp Counsellor team to accomplish shared responsibilities.
• Adhere to all provincial, lifesaving and YMCA standards, policies, and procedures.

While acting as a Camp Counsellor  

• Live in cabins with a co-counsellor and their group of campers. Accompany cabin to all programs throughout the day and provide 24-hour supervision to these campers.
• Plan and deliver safe, fun, and experiential programming appropriate to the ages and abilities of campers. Assist with or take part in camp-wide programming.
• 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 their needs (physical, emotional, social, medical, and nutritional) are being met.
• Share you passion for camp and the outdoors, while integrating and promoting healthy child and youth development.
• Camp staff are expected to contribute to the success of camp by completing tasks in addition to those listed above. These may include, but are not limited to: cleaning, preparing program materials, and transporting and maintaining equipment.
  
  

Qualification

• Experience working with children and youth. 
• Standard First Aid & CPR-C  
• NL 
• Pleasure Craft Operator’s Card 
• Criminal Reference Check with a Vulnerable Sector Screening issued no later than six (6) months preceding start date. 
• 3 successful reference checks 

Additional Qualifications (assets) 

• CANSail Instructor 
• Paddle Canada Instructor 
• ACCT Level 2