View Job Posting and Apply Here: Overnight Camp and Outdoor Education Opportunities | YMCA BC
Rate of Pay: Starting at $158.93 per day
Position Status: Temporary, Full time
Spring Term: April 07 to June 20, 2026
Fall Term: September 01 to November 15, 2026
Reports To: Outdoor Education & Events, Assistant Manager
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
The Outdoor Education & Events Centre is a key operational pillar of YMCA Camp Elphinstone, running primarily during the Spring and Fall seasons. During this time, the camp welcomes a wide range of participants, including school groups of various ages, adult retreats, private rentals, and large-scale events such as weddings.
Coordinators play a crucial leadership role in supporting the management team with the execution and supervision of all centre operations.
Working as part of a collaborative leadership team, Coordinators ensure the safe, smooth, and engaging delivery of outdoor education programs and events, while upholding the highest standards of customer service. Each Coordinator is responsible for supervising frontline staff teams, maintaining program quality and safety, providing guidance and mentorship, and helping drive a positive participant and staff experience. Although functioning as a cohesive unit, each Coordinator is assigned specific areas of responsibility within the operation.
The Group Coordinator is an integral member of the Outdoor Education & Events Centre leadership team, working closely with management to oversee all school group experiences. This role is responsible for coordinating arrivals and departures, serving as the primary on-site contact for teachers, chaperones, and adult leaders, and ensuring strong collaboration between group representatives and camp staff.
The Group Coordinator manages multiple groups simultaneously, working alongside other coordinators to ensure smooth program delivery with a high level of attention to detail.
The Group Coordinator will be hosting and facilitating groups, delegating tasks to and supporting frontline staff, and maintaining a child-centered approach.
The Group Coordinator will also role model behavior and may occasionally lead programs, while providing support in facility upkeep and site maintenance as needed.
Responsibilities
- Facilitate the outdoor education experiences of groups and individuals, acting as the host and main contact for assigned groups and rentals, preparing and completing paperwork related to arrival and departure
- Assist where needed with coordination and facilitation for all groups engaging in program on site
- Assist in staff training, and support, coach and supervise staff members for the duration of the season
- Assist where needed with the development of scheduling and the organising of staff placements to ensure adequate coverage across all program areas, maintaining operational ratios and supporting the smooth delivery of activities and services
- Maintain YMCA programming & care standards, working to develop and improve new or existing programs and services
- 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
- Interact directly with children and adult guests, establish and maintain positive communication with staff, teachers, participants and adult guests
- Liaise with different departments across camp operations in order to organise and communication information relating to group stays
Qualification
- 2 years of relevant, transferable experience across a variety of roles
- Previous experience in customer-facing, guest-experience roles is necessary
- Previous experience in a supervisory role/supervising staff
- Previous experience in a communications-centered role
- Previous experience with admin/scheduling
- Standard First Aid & CPR-C
- Class 5 BC Driver’s License or equivalent
- Relevant outdoor certifications such as the ACCT Level 2, NLS or Paddle Canada Instructor qualification (desirable but not required)
- Criminal Reference Check with a Vulnerable Sector Screening issued no later than six (6) months preceding start date
- 3 successful reference checks