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

Rate of Pay: $138.93 per day

Position Status: Seasonal Contract, Full time

Term: June 22nd – August 23rd OR August 30th, 2025

Reports To: Camper Section 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.

Camp Counsellors work in pairs and are responsible for meeting the emotional, physical and safety needs of a group of up to 10 campers. Counsellors are responsible for the planning and delivery of cabin programs for children aged 5-15.

Counsellors 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. Counsellors will be assigned to work with our younger campers (ages 5-11) or our older campers (ages 12-15) for the summer.

Camper age groups:

• McNabb – ages 5 - 7
• Chapman – ages 7 - 11
• Dakota – ages 12 - 15
• Day Camp – ages 5 - 12

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 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.
• Effectively work with a partner and share responsibilities in such a way that each co-counsellor will be able to learn and grow from one another.
• Share you passion for camp and the outdoors, while integrating and promoting healthy child and youth development
• Seek help from a supervisor when it is appropriate or necessary.

Qualifications

• Age 18+ by December 31st, 2025
• Standard First Aid & CPR-C
• Criminal Reference Check with a Vulnerable Sector Screening issued no later than six (6) months preceding start date
• 2 Successful Reference Checks

Additional Qualifications (assets)

• NLS
• BC Class 4 drivers license
• ACCT Level 2