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

Rate of Pay: $60,000 - $63,000 

Position Status: Temporary, Full time  

Start Date: As soon as possible

End Date: November 01st, 2026

Reports To: Director, Camping and Outdoor Education

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 Program manager is responsible for supporting with the leadership and delivering of high-quality outdoor education and summer programs at Camp Elphinstone. This role oversees specialized program areas including out-tripping, ensuring excellence in program delivery through staff training, coaching, and mentoring, while fostering an inclusive environment that reflects equity, diversity, inclusion, and truth and reconciliation principles.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and maintain a high-quality camper experience, ensuring all programming aligns with the camp’s mission and values
• Communicate with parents/guardians and liaise with summer partnership and international groups
• Lead and the Out-trip, wilderness travel staff team.
• Create and maintain Out-trip system that ensures quality planning and preparation for routes, gear and food on trip.
• Provide clear expectations, regular feedback, and professional development opportunities.
• Assist with recruitment, hiring, coaching, and leading a team committed to building a strong, inclusive, camper-focused culture
• Maintain all health and safety protocols including acting as a First Aid attendant, conducting site walkthroughs, reporting defects, and ensuring site safety and cleanliness
• Ensure all program areas meet applicable standards (YMCA, BCCA, Lifesaving Society, Paddle Canada, etc.)
• Oversee inspections, logs and training protocols for all camp program areas (low ropes, mountain biking, waterfront etc.)
• Ensure all program areas are equipped appropriately; purchase new equipment and retire/repair broken items as needed
• Divide responsibilities based on strengths and needs while maintaining open communication and joint decision-making.

Qualifications

• Post secondary education in relevant field – Bachelors of Outdoor Recreation or Child and youth care with outdoor experience
• Minimum two years of leadership experience in a supervisory/ management role in camp, recreation, or educational field
• Minimum of five years leading outdoor leadership training programs
• Instructional certification from relevant outdoor activity (Sea kayaking, Canoeing, Hiking, High Ropes or Rock Climbing)
• Have or willing to obtain ACCT Level 2 and/or Course manager
• Successful candidate will be required to provide 3 satisfactory references
• Successful candidates will be required to provide a current and satisfactory Criminal Record check with a Vulnerable sector search issued no later than six (6) months preceding the start date.