Head of High Ropes and Rock Climbing

Job Posting Head of High Ropes and Rock Climbing Head of High Ropes and Rock Climbing  Muskoka and Rainbow Lake ABOUT US Help Bring Back the Joy of Childhood Since 1983, Campfire Circle has delivered healing through happiness to thousands of kids with cancer or serious illness and their families across Ontario. Our programs are offered in paediatric hospitals across Ontario, in local communities, and at our medically supported overnight camps, offering year-round experiences that provide life-changing moments of joy, connection, and resilience. And we’re just getting started. Today, over 40,000 kids in Ontario face serious illness, many without access to the psychosocial support they urgently need. That’s why we have a bold vision: to grow from serving 3,000 campers a year to 10,000. We’re building a passionate, talented team to help make that vision a reality. When you join Campfire Circle, you become an integral part of a dynamic team helping to transform the lives of thousands of kids with serious illness, alongside our dedicated community of volunteers and donors.  Help us give back the joy of childhood to every kid with serious illness who needs it most.  At Campfire Circle, we are committed to making employment accessible by reducing financial barriers for our summer staff. All required training and certifications for your role are provided at no cost, in accordance with the terms of employment. Based on identified need, we may also be able to assist with additional job-related costs such as loaning camping equipment, outdoor clothing or gear, and coordinating transportation options. If you require assistance to help make your employment with Campfire Circle more accessible, please let your manager or HR know after you are hired and before your start date. THE OPPORTUNITY We are searching for a Head of High Ropes and Rock Climbing to join our Summer Staff Team in 2026. This posting is for an existing vacancy for the upcoming summer season. Reporting to the Manager, Overnight Programs, the Head of High Ropes and Rock Climbing role is accountable for overseeing the Adventure program and leading a team of staff facilitators to provide a safe and engaging for parents/guardians and campers ages 0 to 18 at our Rainbow Lake overnight site and for campers ages 6-18 at our Muskoka overnight site. Other duties include planning, training and coordinating Adventure emergency procedures and overseeing the safety of all Adventure activities. Elements include low ropes course, climbing tower/wall, dynamic team elements and a multi-level static course with a wheel-chair accessible first level.  Muskoka Start Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026 End Date: Friday, August 28, 2026 Rainbow Lake  Start Date: Monday, June 15, 2026 End Date: Friday, August 28, 2026 Rate: $6,000 (for the full contract)  *Training/virtual training dates may occur prior to this date and are included in your full contract rate* Key Accountabilities:  Programming and Facilitation:  Development, instruction, and supervision of an Adventure program that is: safe, creative, challenging, accessible, experiential, age appropriate, environmentally friendly, and fun. This includes team-building exercises and low ropes challenges, as well as facilitation of the climbing wall/ tower, dynamic team elements, and multi-level static course. Inspection and risk management of Adventure Program course elements.  Work with the Overnight Program Manager to adapt and adjust curriculum and activities from session to session based on feedback and experiences.  Ensure that the Adventure Program area is a safe place at all times, including closing down the activity area when camp is not in session or when area is not supervised to ensure safe resting.  Conduct regular risk management surveys of the site, activity facilities and equipment, reporting any damage to equipment or elements to Camp Director and Manager.  Adhere to cleaning procedures and logging as trained and directed.  Set up and prepare activities and activity areas in accordance with, but not limited to, the standards of the camp, and the guidelines of the Ontario Camps Association (OCA).  Ensure that camp programs incorporate camp values and traditions.  Volunteer and Camper Support:  Participate in risk management and site emergency procedures.  Collaborate with medical team, Camp Directors, and Camper Support Specialists to ensure program and activities meet the considerations and needs of each participant.  Assist in facilitation of on-site volunteer training.  Support in planning, prepping, and execution of camp wide programs, theme, and other activities.  Support, coach, and lead volunteers in achieving safe, fun, and engaging programs.  When not at the program area, working alongside volunteers in providing general support and supervision to campers and families.  Attend and participate in various program areas, staff meetings, and socials as required.  Support with summer bus programs and bus chaperoning as needed.  Supervision and Management:  Oversee risk management of all Adventure Program activities and the Adventure Program and course emergency procedures and rescues.  Supervising, directing and overseeing the instruction and experience of all participants (campers, parents/guardians volunteers, and staff) on the Adventure Program. In collaboration with Camp Directors and Managers, supervision of the Adventure Program team (Adventure Program Instructors), including coaching, mentorship, and program development. Identify and communicate with Camp Directors and Managers to address feedback and performance evaluation needs for Adventure Instructors.  Support in planning and facilitation of pre-camp summer staff training.  Coordinate staff schedule for facilitation and time off.  Oversee and monitor program curriculum planning and development to maintain program standards during growth.  Communication and Administration:  Evaluate and assess the Adventure Programs safety and emergency procedures according to Campfire Circle, The Ontario Camps Association, Ontario Health policies and Instructing Standards by builder (Adventureworks & Challenges Unlimited Inc.).  Required to conduct a mid-summer inspection referring to notes provided by the yearly inspection from Adventureworks or Challenges Unlimited Inc. Ensure the program binder is kept up to date (program plans, inventory, camper records, and rope usage, equipment).  Communicate Adventure Program needs and concerns to Camp Director and Manager.  Report on the achievement of site-specific program plans and Adventure Program plans.  Ensure incident report forms are completed.  Produce an End of Summer Report capturing daily procedures, reflections on the summer and notes for future staff members in this role.  Leadership and Community: Help build and maintain a positive, inclusive, and supportive camp community, ensuring that lines of communication are accessible, open and positive and acting as a role model within the camp community.  Identify staff/volunteer concerns as they arise and alert Camp Directors of recurring or unresolved issues.  ABOUT YOU In accordance with our mandate of creating a caring and safe environment for children with serious illnesses and their families, we require an attestation of childhood vaccinations, criminal record checks and vulnerable sector screenings depending on the age of the applicant. Seasonal boosters against Influenza and the most recent circulating strain of COVID are strongly encouraged. We also require TB testing for all our program-facing staff. Additionally, all our staff are required to be currently eligible to work in Canada and for Campfire Circle. Our Campfire Circle summer staff bring boundless enthusiasm, a can-do attitude, and a commitment to creating unforgettable and meaningful experiences for campers and their families. Come join the Circle  QUALIFICATIONS Required Criteria:  Experience as a staff or volunteer in a camp environment and/or working with children in a recreational setting. Experience supervising staff and/or volunteers.  Experience working with children with disabilities and/or additional physical, behavioural, and/or psychosocial needs as well as experience facilitating adaptive programming.  Experience leading high ropes or challenge course programming.  Demonstrated ability to manage high risk activities.  Level 2 ACCT High Ropes Instructor course or willing & able to successfully take the course (paid for by Campfire Circle).  Valid Standard First Aid & CPR-C certification for duration of the contract or willing & able to successfully take the certification (paid for by Campfire Circle).  New employees who are under 30 years of age at the time of hire will have their Criminal Record Check completed by the Organization, while those who are 30 years of age or older are required to obtain a Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening. All members of the summer staff team must be at least 19 years of age by the start date of their contract. Advantageous Criteria:  Current G2 or G class driver’s license and the ability to be covered by camp’s insurance policy. Overnight camp experience.  Experience in outdoor education or adventure education.  Demonstrated ability to work with children with serious illnesses and an understanding of how illness impacts the entire family.  Demonstrated commitment to volunteerism or volunteer sector.  NLS or Bronze Cross certification.  Particular Working Conditions:  This position requires living at the Muskoka or Rainbow Lake campsite for the duration of the contract – room and board, which will be shared communal accommodations, are provided. Routine evenings and weekend commitments are required. In consideration of the population Campfire Circle serves, the incumbent is a non-smoker.  HEALTH AND WELLNESS Campfire Circle acknowledges that the overall health and wellness of you and your family are important; for this reason, we offer an employee assistance program accessible to all our summer staff team members.  ACCESSIBILITY & DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION  Campfire Circle is deeply committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve. We welcome applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous People from North America and around the world, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, and those who bring diverse perspectives and experiences. Our commitment is to provide equitable employment opportunities to all and to maintain a work environment free from discrimination and harassment. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Campfire Circle acknowledges that we operate on the traditional territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples, and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. On this land, we are grateful to share the magic of camp with children and families, and we endeavour to create a community of joy, hope and healing. Acknowledging the land that we occupy is just one small step on the path towards Truth and Reconciliation.