Prep Cook

Pay within range based on years of transferrable experience

Daily Rate: $ $ Weekly Rate: $ $658.86

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: 7

Anticipated Start Date: June 22, 2026

Deadline to Apply: January 15, 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.

Prep Cooks play a key role in planning, preparing, and presenting meals for campers and staff, ensuring all dietary needs and food safety standards are met. Based out of the main dining hall (Kekindewin) or Winter Lodge, Prep Cooks prepare three meals daily, along with snacks, while supporting a variety of kitchen tasks such as meal prep, baking, dietary meal preparation in the absence of the Dietary Cook, refreshing the salad bar, and assisting with meal service. The role involves maintaining a clean, organized, and safe kitchen environment in accordance with Ministry of Health guidelines.

In this role, you will:

• Prepare and serve camp meals with the kitchen team in a fun, safe, and efficient manner
• Maintain a high level of food safety practices by modeling and ensuring compliance with camp policies, procedures, and health regulations
• Ensure Health and Safety procedures, including outbreak management guidelines, are followed and maintained, and share responsibility with staff for keeping the kitchen clean, organized, and safe for campers, staff, and volunteers
• Understand and accommodate a variety of participant dietary needs such as vegetarian, vegan, celiac, halal, and dairy allergies
• Support kitchen cleanliness by washing dishes and maintaining an organized workspace
• Attend all staff trainings and meetings, arrive on time, actively participate, and contribute to the development of the team
• Build and maintain relationships with members, staff, volunteers, and community partners
• Act as a positive role model for participants and staff by demonstrating the values of the YMCA, following Pine Crest's guiding principles, YMCA policies, and Ontario Camps Association guidelines
• Perform other duties as assigned

You bring:  

• Standard First Aid & CPR-C and Food Handler Certificate required by the first day of employment and valid until at least the last day of the contract
• Experience in an institutional kitchen considered an asset
• Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) knowledge considered an asset
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and adapt to change
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills
• Well-developed interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish rapport and communicate effectively with members, staff, and volunteers
• Proven ability to work effectively both independently and within a team environment to achieve collective goals
• Ability to work flexible hours, including days, evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays
• 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.