Inclusion 1:1 Support Counsellor

Pay within range based on years of transferrable experience

Daily Rate: $105.00 - $125.00 Weekly Rate: $720.00 - $750.00

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: 1

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.

Inclusion Counsellors are at the heart of the camp experience for our Inclusion campers & volunteers. This position gives 1:1 support for inclusion campers in their cabin programming, and 1:1 support for volunteers throughout the different areas of camp. Counsellors 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. Inclusions Counsellors work closely with the Inclusions & Volunteer Supervisor to continue finding resources, modifying activities, being an advocate for campers and volunteers with additional needs and assisting in creating an inclusive camp environment.

**In this role, you will**:

- Work collaboratively within the camp team to provide an inclusive program for children with developmental and behavioural needs, integrating their campers into the camp program as much as possible
- Responsible for getting to know camper(s) and their interests, delivering activities suited to their needs and interests
- Communicate with families; to get to know the individual needs of campers and continue to communicate with the family throughout the session to ensure they are aware of the camper’s successes and any challenges they might be facing
- Actively engage and participate in all camp programs & placement areas with participants
- Ensure campers & volunteers are being safely supervised and supported at all times during their camp experience providing opportunities for all campers to experience success and integrating their camper to the program as much as possible
- Commitment to learning is dedicated to learning the needs of each individual camper and committed to supporting campers & volunteers and adapting activities as required ensuring the successful inclusion of campers & volunteers
- Act as role models to our 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, and NLS required by the first day of employment and valid until at least the last day of your contract
- Minimum 18 years old by the start of contract
- Post-secondary education preferred in a related field (Personal Support Worker, Early Childhood Education, Child and Youth Worker, Ontario Certified Teacher, Resource Teacher, Social Worker, Developmental Support, Educational Assistant, Recreation and Leisure and/or training in the fields of psychology and experience working with children and adults with differing abilities and diagnosis)
- Minimum 1-year experience working with children/youth with disabilities or additional needs
- 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
- Extensive knowledge of canoe and kayak