Summer Program Coordinator

About Us

Rooks to Cooks is the GTA's leading culinary school for children, offering a wide variety of hands-on cooking programs for youth ages 4–14 — from our popular summer culinary camps to in-school workshops, community activations, and special events. Our mission is to empower children to become more independent, self-sufficient, and confident while discovering the joy of cooking and baking.

About the Role

Do you love working with kids and have a passion for cooking? Join our team as a Program Coordinator and help bring our summer camp to life

You'll co-manage a camp location alongside the Lead Chef, leading daily programming, mentoring Counsellors-in-Training, and guiding staff to create a safe, fun, and engaging environment. You'll also serve as the main point of contact for parents and head office, ensuring smooth communication and seamless operations.

This role is perfect for experienced childcare professionals, and or those pursuing careers in education, social work, or early childhood, who are ready to inspire, lead, and share their love of food with campers every day.

Hours of work:

• Mondays - Thursdays : 8:00am - 4:30pm
• Fridays: 8:00am - Close (approximately 8:00pm)

Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Leadership & Site Management

• Act as co-manager of the designated camp location alongside the Lead Chef.Serve as the primary administrative point of contact for head office, ensuring clear communication and timely reporting.
• Set the tone and culture for the site — professional, warm, inclusive, supportive, and encouraging.
• Establish and uphold site rules and expectations for campers and staff.Ensure a physically and emotionally safe environment for all participants.
• Manage staff performance, ensuring team members follow assigned duties and uphold program standards.
• Oversee daily program execution, maintaining accurate timing, smooth transitions, and strong program flow.
• Manage and resolve conflicts or challenges involving campers, parents/guardians, facility staff, or program operations promptly and professionally.

2. Camp Program Management

• Monitor overall program flow to maintain a structured, organized, and high-energy environment that enhances camper experience.
• Oversee all front-of-house staff and volunteers to ensure smooth team coordination and a positive camp environment.
• Lead daily huddles, facilitate camper reflection sessions, and set the tone for energy, engagement, and inclusivity throughout the day.
• Plan, facilitate, and supervise break-time and enrichment activities, ensuring they are safe, fun, and developmentally appropriate.
• Support the Lead Chef during culinary demonstrations by reinforcing rules, expectations, and classroom management.
• Support campers with recipe execution, ensuring safety, accuracy, and skill-building while modeling proper technique and professionalism.
• Support and mentor staff in managing group dynamics, resolving conflicts, and maintaining camper engagement during activities.
• Manage the front-of-house team (staff and campers) to execute a seamless dinner service for up to 70 guests.

3. Counsellor-in-Training (CIT) Program Oversight

• Oversee the Counsellor-in-Training program, ensuring all CITs have a positive learning experience.
• Support and mentor CITs by modeling strong leadership, guiding participation in activities, and helping them develop confidence in supervision, engagement, and professional conduct.
• Manage CIT performance and address skill gaps, motivation issues, or behavioural concerns.
• Ensure CITs are integrated into site operations without compromising safety, program flow, or camper experience.

4. Camper Experience & Wellbeing

• Ensure campers stay hydrated and well-fed throughout the day.
• Supervise campers during cooking and non-cooking periods to ensure safety, engagement, and enjoyment.
• Serve as the first point of contact for any camper injuries, illnesses, or incidents, responding promptly and appropriately.
• Complete all incident report forms accurately and in a timely manner.
• Provide a warm, supportive, and approachable presence for campers of all ages and confidence levels.

5. Facility & Parent Liaison

• Build and maintain authentic, positive relationships with campers, parents/guardians, and facility staff.
• Conduct camper sign-in and sign-out, ensuring safety and accurate records.
• Handle conflicts professionally, addressing concerns involving campers or parents while maintaining a calm and supportive environment.
• Represent Rooks to Cooks professionally and warmly, supporting marketing initiatives and public interactions as needed.

6. Brand Ambassador & Public Relations

• Build and maintain positive relationships with campers, their parents/guardians, and facility staff.
• Represent Rooks to Cooks with professionalism, enthusiasm, and warmth at all times.
• Support marketing initiatives when requested (photos, social content, parent interactions, etc.).

Qualifications / Experience

• 4+ years professional experience working with large groups of school-aged children
• 2+ years in a leadership or supervisor role
• Post-secondary education (completed or in progress) in the following sectors: Education, Child & Youth Care, Early Childhood Education, Social Work, Recreation & Leisure, and or Psychology.
• Strong behaviour management and group facilitation skills
• Work well under pressure
• Strong problem solving capabilities
• Legally entitled to work in Canada
• Can speak fluent English
• All employees will be required to obtain and demonstrate proof of completion of the following documents before the start date of their training and employment: First Aid & CPR, Food Handlers Certification and a clear Vulnerable Sector Screening

Benefits of working for Rooks to Cooks

• Competitive compensation
• Rewarding and meaningful work
• Complimentary staff lunch & demo products to enjoy.
• Amazing work-life balance with weekday evenings and weekends off all summer long
• Work with like-minded people in a healthy work environment
• Welcoming and family-oriented culture
• It's fun teaching kids to cook
• Rapidly growing company with opportunities for growth & learning.

About Rooks to Cooks:

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Rooks to Cooks is committed to employment equity. We thank all applicants, however, only those considered for an interview will be contacted. We welcome and encourage applications from all people including disabled, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+ people and BIPOC. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Contract length: 10 weeks

Pay: $1,100.00-$1,320.00 per week

Benefits:

• Discounted or free food
• On-site parking

Application question(s):

• The position at hand is a seasonal contact. The contract is full time for weeks running in the summer months only? Are you able to make that commitment at this moment in time? Yes or no, please explain.
• What attracts you to the Rooks to Cooks Programs we run? Why are you interested in joining our team?
• Do you have any professional experience working with children? If so, please explain (ie. where did you work and for how long? What was your position? How many children were you responsible for? How old were the children?).
• Our camps will likely take place in the following areas. Please indicate which sites you'd be willing to work:

Bathurst & Lawrence

College & Bathurst

Danforth

East York

Etobicoke

High Park

Missisauga (Hartland)

Markham

North York (Yonge)

Richmond Hill

Roncessvalles

Rosedale

Scarborough

Thornhill

• Have you been convicted of a criminal offense for which you have not been pardoned? Yes or No

• Why do you think you would be a great fit for this role? Why do you believe you would make an excellent program coordinator?

• Do you have any formal programming experience (ie. planning and preparing recreational activities, arts & crafts projects, team building games etc)? If so, please explain.

Experience:

• Management : 2 years (required)
• Childcare: 4 years (required)

Language:

• English (required)

Licence/Certification:

• First Aid Certification (preferred)
• Food Handler Certification (preferred)

Work Location: In person