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: Resource and Inclusion 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 Camp Counsellor - Inclusion.

Inclusion Counsellors provide one-on-one, 24-hour support to campers with diverse abilities or campers who need more support. They assist these campers with day-to-day challenges, and ensure supervision is maintained at all times. They also work with the counsellors in that camper’s cabin to facilitate more inclusive programming and cabin culture. Inclusion is the responsibility of everyone at camp; our Inclusion Counsellors act as a resource to support the Camp Counsellor team in making our programs more inclusive and offer one-on-one support where needed. Inclusion Counsellors will act as regular Camp Counsellors if they are not needed for one-on-one support that session.

While campers requiring one-on-one support will have diverse abilities and needs, they must be able to independently dress, bathe, toilet and feed themselves.

The Camp Counsellor - Inclusion is a member of the Camp Counsellor team with a specialization.

Camp Counsellors work in pairs to lead a cabin of campers throughout their time at Camp Elphinstone, building an inclusive group dynamic, and ensuring the safety of all participants in their care. Camp Counsellors also work in Day Camp, leading a group of day campers during the day and supporting the rest of the team in the evenings. Many Counsellors have specializations; roles that they fill for certain weeks of the summer. Available specializations include Lifeguard, Paddling Instructor, Mountain Biking Instructor, High Ropes/Climbing Instructor, & Inclusion Staff. Depending on staffing needs, Counsellors with specializations may spend between a few weeks to the entire summer in their specialized role. All members of the Camp Counsellor team sleep in cabins with campers. Counsellors with specializations are paid at the same rate regardless of their role each week.

Responsibilities

While acting as an Inclusion Counsellor

• Provide one-on-one support and supervision to campers who need additional support to be successful at camp.
• Work directly with the Resource and Inclusion Supervisor to ensure each camper’s individual needs (emotional, physical, social, medical, and nutritional) are being met.
• Use resources and the help of other staff members to adapt camp programming and all aspects of life at Camp Elphinstone whenever necessary to ensure all campers can be more included.
• Act as a cabin counsellor when no one-on-one support is necessary.

While acting as a Camp Counsellor

• Live in cabins with a co-counsellor and their group of campers. Accompany cabin to all programs throughout the day and provide 24-hour supervision to these campers.
• Plan and deliver safe, fun, and experiential programming appropriate to the ages and abilities of campers. Assist with or take part in camp-wide programming.
• Manage 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 you passion for camp and the outdoors, while integrating and promoting healthy child and youth development.
• 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

• 1-2 years of experience working with children, preferably in an outdoor/camp setting.
• Experience working with children with diverse needs.
• In accordance with BCCA Standards, Inclusion Counsellors must be at least 18 years old by December 31st, 2026.
• Standard First Aid & 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
• Education Assistant experience
• Bronze Cross or Paddle Canada Instructor
• ACCT Level 2