Overnight Camp Counsellor

Pay within range based on years of transferrable experience

Daily Rate: $ Weekly Rate: $ $635.00

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: 31

Anticipated Start Date: June 21, 2026

Deadline to Apply: November 30, 2025 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, form the heart of camp staff and are essential in creating a positive and engaging experience for 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, guiding campers through a diverse range of activities and skill areas. Counselling staff also lead cabin canoe trips ranging from one to four nights, depending on the age of the group, with at least one staff member aged 18 or older required to lead trips off camp property. The Overnight Camp Counsellors provide mentorship and guidance to junior staff throughout the summer. When supporting inclusion participants, Counsellors deliver the necessary assistance, accommodations, and guidance to ensure full participation in camp programs or volunteer placements, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment.

In this role, you will:

• Work with various camper programs, including Little Critters Day Camp, Pine Cones (5–7 years), and 1-Week and 2-Week overnight programs, ensuring effective camper supervision
• Provide leadership on cabin canoe trips and across all aspects of camp programming
• Ensure program plans are followed and campers experience a fun, safe, and engaging high-quality camp environment
• Ensure campers are safely supervised and supported at all times, providing opportunities for all participants to experience success
• Participate enthusiastically in all camp programs with campers, including recreational swim
• Continuously build relationships with members, staff, volunteers, and community partners
• Attend all staff trainings and meetings, arriving on time and actively contributing to the development of all staff members
• Act as a role model for MACKs and fellow staff
• Act as a positive role model for all participants and staff by embodying the values of the YMCA, following all YMCA camp guidelines, policies, procedures, and Ontario Camps Association standards
• Share duties across other camp areas as needed, including maintenance, kitchen, and program support
• 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
• National Lifeguard certification considered an asset
• Demonstrated organizational skills and attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and adapt to change
• Excellent communication skills
• Well-developed interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish rapport and communicate effectively with members, staff, and volunteers
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment and independently to achieve optimal collective results
• Ability to provide mentorship and guidance to both inexperienced and seasoned staff
• Ability to deliver feedback in a timely and constructive manner to participants
• Ability to work flexible hours, including days, evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays required
• Minimum 17 years old by December 31, 2025
• 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.