Rate of Pay: $144.93 per day 

Position Status: Seasonal Contract, Full time 

Term: June 5th – August 23rd OR August 30th, 2025 

Reports To: Assistant Manager of Programs 

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 Head Out-trip Leader 

The Head Out-trip Leader is responsible for overseeing the planning, preparation, and execution of all out-trips each session, ensuring they align with BCCA standards and YMCA policies and procedures. This role requires providing specialized expertise in out-tripping, including outdoor skills instruction and guidance on risk management practices. 

The Head Out-trip Leader, alongside the out-tripping team, is tasked with maintaining all tripping equipment, ensuring it is in safe working order, and preparing it for each excursion. As a mentor and leader, the Head Out-trip Leader supports and coaches out-tripping staff, offering solutions to camper-related or logistical challenges on trips, and delivering high-quality guidance out-trip programming. Additionally, the Head Out-trip Leader participates directly in out-trips, leading and guiding campers on 1- to 9-day backpacking and canoeing adventures across locations such as the Sunshine Coast Trail, Bowron Lakes Circuit, Murtle Lake, Golden Ears, Garibaldi, and more. 

The Head Out-trip Leader also plays a key role in training and supporting the out-tripping staff team, working with the Assistant Camp Manager to provide onboarding and skill-building opportunities. This includes facilitating pre-season staff training in backpacking and canoeing in June, equipping the team with essential outdoor skills and knowledge. The Head Out-trip Leader will also offer leadership to other camp staff in outdoor living skills and practices, supporting a comprehensive outdoor program that includes Leadership Development trips and onsite overnight experiences for two-week camper cabins. 

Responsibilities 

• Provide support and guidance to the 4 out-tripping staff
• Assist with developing and delivering innovative training of the out-tripping staff team
• Ensure that all out-tripping policies/procedures and Camp Elphinstone’s high risk management standards are met at all times by all participants and staff while on on-site overnights or off-site out-trips. 
• Assist with planning and scheduling overnights and out-trips. This includes scheduling cabins and staff, coordinating transportation, ensuring groups are prepared with gear, food, and supplies, ensuring required paperwork is submitted by staff, and ensuring participants have completed necessary competencies and program prior to leaving site.
• Ensure that all staff and participants are following BCCA and Camp Elphinstone’s out-tripping  standards, policies and, procedures at all times.
• 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.

Qualifications

• Age 19+ by start of contract
• NL Pool or Waterfront
• BC Class 4 Driver’s License (or willing to obtain) and experience driving trailers
• Pleasure Craft Operators Card
• Previous experience planning and leading extended backpacking and canoe trips
• 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)

• Wilderness First Responder
• Paddle Canada Instructor