Outdoor Living Skills

Pay within range based on years of directly transferrable experience

Daily Rate: $ $116.69 Weekly Rate: $ $700.14

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, with days off predetermined by supervisor

Employment Type: Seasonal Contract (Existing Vacancy)

Number of Vacancies: 1

Anticipated Start Date: June 14, 2026

Deadline to Apply: February 28, 2026 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.

The Outdoor Living Skills (OLS) Program Head coordinates the planning and day-to-day operation of outdoor living skills programs, ensuring the effective delivery of Pine Crest skill levels in areas such as shelter and fire building, Leave No Trace principles, foraging, flora and fauna identification, and bushcraft. The role oversees the overall operation of the OLS program area, maintaining equipment and ensuring that all activities meet YMCA policies, procedures, and safety standards. It provides leadership and support to staff and counsellors, promoting high-quality, engaging, and inclusive programs across camp. Through this work, the OLS Program Head helps create a safe, enriching, and nature-focused environment that fosters learning, teamwork, and environmental stewardship.

In this role, you will:

• Plan and lead outdoor living skills programs for cabins and leadership participants, teaching camping skills such as shelter building, fire building, and Leave No Trace camping principles through safe, engaging, and fun programming
• Work with the Program Coordinator and other Program Heads to plan and lead all camp activities and special events
• Provide leadership to YMCA staff by ensuring they understand how to contribute to a safe and positive program experience for all participants, and promptly relay any concerns to the Program Coordinator
• Monitor the safety of all outdoor living skills programs and respond immediately to rectify any safety concerns; maintain the model campsite, new and old OLS, and other areas and equipment needed for the program, ensuring the area remains safe and organized
• Supervise participants and staff during programming, ensuring the effective facilitation of outdoor living skills programs
• Ensure administrative tasks are completed accurately and on time, including paperwork associated with running the OLS programs and any duties delegated by the Program Coordinator
• Build relationships with members, staff, volunteers, and community partners
• Act as a positive role model for children, youth, and fellow staff by embodying the values of the YMCA, the guiding principles of Camp Pine Crest, YMCA policies and procedures, and Ontario Camps Association standards
• Perform other duties as assigned

You bring:

• Standard First Aid & CPR-C by first day of employment and valid until at least the last day of your contract
• Minimum 2 years' experience working in a camp setting
• Leave No Trace certification and previous experience leading out trips considered an asset
• Ability to work effectively with others and independently to achieve optimal collective results
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment
• Ability to deliver feedback in a timely, professional, and constructive manner
• Ability to provide mentorship and guidance to both inexperienced and seasoned staff
• Well-developed interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish rapport and communicate effectively with members, staff, and volunteers
• Ability to work flexible 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 of Greater Toronto, or through referral to additional programs outside the YMCA that offer similar support. Eligibility is to be determined on an individual basis.
What you need to succeed:

• Commitment to the YMCA's Mission, Vision and Values
• Focus on the health, safety and wellbeing of all children, youth, and vulnerable people in YMCA programs including understanding legal and moral obligations related to reporting suspected child abuse to Child Protection Services
• YMCA Competencies: Accountable, Relationship-Builder, Improvement-Orientated, Team Player & Leader, Equity and Wellbeing Promoter

Why work for the YMCA?
The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity that ignites the potential in people, helping them grow, lead, and give back to their communities. We are committed to helping our employees reach their full potential and are recognized as a great place to work. We offer meaningful jobs and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of our communities. See what you can expect from the YMCA here.

Joining the Y means contributing to over 170 years of providing opportunities for people to shine through programs and services, such as health and fitness, licensed child care, camps, employment and immigrant services, education and training, and services for youth, families, and seniors. Learn more in our 2025–2030 strategic plan, Greater Together, which outlines how we are focused on building communities where people feel healthier and more connected to their neighbours.

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. We strive to remove barriers to employment and recognize that diverse staff who reflect the communities we work in enrich the experiences of our participants and our team. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite applications from all qualified candidates including racialized people/people of colour, Indigenous Peoples, disabled people/people with disabilities and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

If we can make the recruitment process more accessible for you, please let us know when we reach out about a job opportunity so we can work with you to accommodate your needs.

In keeping with our commitment to safety and child protection, job offers are contingent on the successful completion of a Police Records Check. Within the first four months and every three years thereafter, a Vulnerable Police Records Check is required. Learn more about these checks here.

The YMCA only considers applicants who are legally entitled to work in Canada. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, due to the volume of applications we receive, we can only contact candidates who are selected for an interview.

Check out the next steps in our recruitment process and see what others are saying about working at the YMCA.