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

Rate of Pay: $144.61 per day plus food & accommodation

Position Status: Temporary, Full time

Start Date: June 21, 2026

End Date: September 04, 2026

Reports To: Leadership Development 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 Leadership Development Counsellor.

These staff members are responsible for facilitating the LD1 and LD2 programs. They work cooperatively with other members of the staff team to develop and deliver the LD programs, which build camp skills, leadership abilities and group development among campers.

Both LD programs go on an offsite paddling or backpacking out-trip, and LD Counsellors must be comfortable participating in these out-trips. Previous camp experience is essential, as is a high level of core camp skills and group facilitation and the desire to support the development of youth leaders in a camp setting. Strong applicants to the LD Counsellor positions will have years of experience leading many different programs with participants of all ages.

Responsibilities

• Live in cabins with a co-counsellor and up to 10 campers. Accompany cabin to all programs throughout the day. Provide 24 hour supervision to these campers.
• Plan and deliver experiential and educational leadership programming. Facilitate Camp Elphinstone’s core programs such as high ropes, canoeing, kayaking, archery etc. and be able to adapt programming to suit the LD outcomes.
• Manage complex group dynamics and behaviour of the cabin group to ensure the emotional and physical safety of all campers. Ensure that all campers feel supported, safe, and all their needs (physical, emotional, social, medical, and nutritional) are being met.
• Share your passion for camp and the outdoors, while integrating and promoting healthy youth development.
• Support multi-day canoe or backpacking trips with co-counsellor, out-tripper and a group of campers.
• 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 working with youth.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience working with children and youth in a camp or outdoor setting.
• Experience facilitating a diverse range of outdoor programming for participants of all ages
• In accordance with BCCA Standards, LD Counsellors must be at least 19 years old by July 5th, 2026.
• 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 and Paddle Canada Instructor
• BC Class 4 driver's license
• Wilderness First Aid (40 hour)