Overnight Camp Counsellor

Pay within range based on years of transferrable experience

Daily Rate: $99.17 - $130.00 Weekly Rate: $595.00 - $780.00

Location: YMCA Camp Pine Crest, Torrance, Ontario (Transportation to camp is available at the beginning and end of the summer)

Work Hours: Must be available to work 6 days a week between Monday - Sunday

Employment Type: Seasonal Contract

Number of Vacancies: 30

Anticipated Start Date: June 22, 2025

Deadline to Apply: December 1, 2024 at 5:00pm

**Be the Spark** Join our dynamic team a YMCA Camp Pine Crest, where every day is different, and you will always be engaged with meaningful work

YMCA Camping and Outdoor Education offers outdoor experiences that foster personal growth and build community. After taking part in our programs, children and youth return home more confident, independent, and with new friendships. YMCA Camp Pine Crest is an overnight camp serving children, families, and organizations through naturally focused programs that embody the mission, vision, and outcomes of the YMCA. Camp Pine Crest is made up of 650 acres of Muskoka wilderness surrounded by 3 interconnected lakes with 8km of shoreline; has over 26km of hiking trails and 7,500 sq. ft. of dock and has 60 buildings.

Pine Crest Counsellors, alongside MACKs, make up the majority of our staff and are at the heart of the camp experience for our campers. Counsellors provide leadership in pairs to camper groups made up of eight campers or as an individual as 1:1 support for inclusion campers. Counsellors at Pine Crest are group leaders, lifeguards, and program instructors, responsible for providing leadership in a wide variety of camp activities and skill areas. In addition, counselling staff provide leadership on cabin canoe trips, ranging in length from 1-4 nights depending on the age of the group. We do our best to pair one Counsellor and one MACK together in each cabin with at least one staff member being 18 years of age to lead a canoe trip off Pine Crest property.

If given the opportunity to work 1:1 with an inclusion participant, staff provide the assistance, accommodation and extra support required for a camper with specific needs to participate fully in the camp program, as a member of the cabin group, or for a young adult with specific needs to participate in a camp volunteer placement.

**In this role, you will**:

- Working with our various camper programs, including Little Critters Day Camp, Pine Cones (5-7 years), 1-Week and 2-Week overnight programs, supervising campers at all times
- Sharing duties of other areas on camp when needed (maintenance, kitchen, program, etc)
- Ensure program plans are being followed and that campers are having a fun, safe, and engaging high quality camp experience
- Participate enthusiastically in all camp programs with campers, including recreational swim
- Provide leadership on cabin canoe trips
- Ensure campers are being safely supervised and supported at all times during their camp experience providing opportunities for all campers to experience success
- Responsible for attending all staff trainings and meetings; showing up on time, and actively participating contributing to the development of all staff members
- Act as role models to MACK’s & fellow staff
- Continuously builds relationships with members, staff, volunteers and community partners
- Act as a positive role model for all participants and fellow staff through embodying the values of the YMCA, following all YMCA camp guidelines, YMCA policies and procedure, and Ontario Camps Association guidelines
- Perform other duties as assigned

**You bring**:

- Standard First Aid & CPR-C required by the first day of employment and valid until at least the last day of your contract
- Minimum 17 years old by December 31, 2025
- NLS & Wilderness First Aid considered an asset
- Must be legally entitled to work in Canada and be authorized to work full time hours (37.5 hours per week)
- Demonstrated ability to multi-task and be adaptable to change
- Demonstrated organizational skills and detailed oriented
- Excellent communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to effectively work in a team environment and independently to achieve optimal collective results
- Well-developed interpersonal, and relationship building skills; ability to establish rapport and excellent communication with members, staff and volunteers
- Ability to provide mentorship and guidance to both inexperienced and seasoned staff
- Ability to deliver feedback in a timely and constructive manner to participants
- Flexibility regarding assigned working hours, including days, evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays required
- Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and building a sense of belonging

**_If you are interested in this position and do not possess the necessary certifications and require assistance in attaining them, please indicate in your cover letter. Certain certifications may be eligible for Financial Assistance through the YMCA