View Job Posting and Apply Here: Overnight Camp and Outdoor Education Opportunities | YMCA BC

Rate of Pay: $153.75 per day plus food & accommodation

Position Status: Temporary, Full time

Start Date: June 18, 2026

End Date: September 04, 2026

Reports To: Day Camp Supervisor

Situation

YMCA Camp Elphinstone is located near Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast, a 40-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay, Vancouver. It is situated on 144 acres of temperate rainforest along the shores of Howe Sound. During July and August, Camp Elphinstone offers programs for youth ages 5-17, including one and two week overnight camps, Leadership Development programs, paddling and hiking multi-day out-trips, and day camps. From September to June, Camp Elphinstone operates as an Outdoor Education, Event and Retreat Centre for schools, conferences, weddings, and other special interest groups. Camp Elphinstone currently serves over 10,000 participants annually. 

YMCA Camp Elphinstone has accommodation and dining for up to 472 campers or guests. Camp Elphinstone employs approximately 140 staff/volunteers during July and August, with a team between 20-50 for the spring and fall Outdoor Education seasons, and a smaller core team of 10 staff during the winter season. Successful Camp Elphinstone staff are self-motivated individuals whose ambition is to help children and youth develop in an outdoor camp setting, and who believe in 5-star customer service for all client groups.

Nature & Scope

YMCA Camp Elphinstone is seeking individuals to fill the role of Day Camp Head Counsellor.

The Day Camp Head Counsellor will work closely with the Day Camp Supervisor to support the staff team and campers in their section. The Day Camp Head Counsellor will support the staff in their section throughout the summer as their first point of contact for any questions, concerns, or assistance needed with campers. The Day Camp Head Counsellor assists the Day Camp Supervisor in scheduling, supporting challenging camper behaviours, communicating with families, facilitating daily transition times & meals, and all tasks necessary for the success of camp.

The Day Camp Head Counsellor should possess strong abilities in several camp and/or outdoor related activities, in addition to demonstrated abilities to facilitate growth and group development among young people.

The Day Camp Head Counsellor is a member of the Head Counsellor team. Members of the Head Counsellor team work closely with the Supervisor of their section to support staff training, day-to-day operations and transitions, challenging camper behaviors, and mentoring staff.

Responsibilities

Provide support and guidance to the Camp Counsellor team.

Support the delivery of prepared, innovative training that supports professional development of staff & volunteers.

Ensure the programming facilitated by Camp Counsellors meets the standards and expectations.

Ensure the safety of all members, participants, staff, and property by following YMCA standards/policies/procedures and ensuring they are maintained amongst all participants and staff.

Support Camp Counsellors in ensuring that all campers feel supported, safe, and all their needs (physical, emotional, social, medical, and nutritional) are being met.

Assist the Day Camp Supervisor in scheduling, supporting challenging camper behaviours, communicating with families, facilitating daily transition times & meals, and all tasks necessary for the success of camp.

Camp staff are expected to contribute to the success of camp by completing tasks in addition to those listed above. These may include, but are not limited to: cleaning, preparing program materials, and transporting and maintaining equipment.

Qualification

• Experience supporting challenging camper behaviours.
• Proven ability to solve problems independently.
• 2 years of experience working in an overnight camp setting.
• Standard First Aid And CPR-C.
• Criminal Reference Check with a Vulnerable Sector Screening issued no later than six (6) months preceding start date.
• 3 successful reference checks.

Additional Qualifications (assets)

• NL
• Bronze Cross or Paddle Canada Instructor
• ACCT Level 2