Assistant Summer Camp Manager

YMCA of Greater Vancouver; Gibsons; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused organization is looking for an Assistant Summer Camp Manager to join the team at Camp Elphinstone in Gibsons, BC. In this role, you will oversee camper experiences and manage a dedicated team of staff and volunteers. Responsibilities include maintaining safety standards, guiding program implementation, and fostering an inclusive camp culture. Ideal candidates will have at least 3 years of experience in a leadership position and a passion for youth development in outdoor settings. A degree in a relevant field is preferred.

Benefits

Inclusive work environment

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience with leadership role.
• Experienced in youth development and outdoor programming.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee camper experience, ensuring programming aligns with mission.
• Support and guide a large team of staff and volunteers.
• Maintain health and safety protocols on-site.

Skills

Leadership skills

Team management

Conflict resolution

Safety protocols

Education

Degree or Diploma in education, biology or outdoor recreation

Tools

Standard First Aid & CPR-C certification

BC Class 4 Driver’s License

Pleasure Craft Operator Card

Job description

Nature & Scope

As part of the summer camp management team, the Assistant Summer Camp Manager reports to the Summer Camp Manager and works closely with the other Assistant Summer Camp Manager. They are responsible for overseeing and maintaining a high-quality experience for all campers and staff, with a strong emphasis on fostering an environment that prioritizes camper wellbeing, staff support, and operational excellence. The Assistant Summer Camp Manager will directly support members of the senior staff team and head counsellor team to provide an excellent camp experience for both our campers and our staff.

The Assistant Summer Camp Managers share responsibility for planning and implementing all aspects of Camp Elphinstone related to the counselling team, camper care, the inclusion program, the leadership development program, waterfront, out-trip, and wellness.

Major 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.
• Support and guide a large team of 110-130 staff and volunteers, including counsellors, program staff, and supervisors.
• 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.
• Collaboratively manage day-to-day camp operations, ensuring consistency and alignment across all areas.
• Divide responsibilities based on strengths and needs while maintaining open communication and joint decision-making.

Qualification

• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience, at least one year in a leadership / supervisory role.
• Proven leadership skills, with an ability to foster an inclusive and collaborative camp culture.
• Experienced in camp leadership, youth development, and outdoor programming and an advanced understanding of behaviour management, group facilitation, and risk management.
• Skilled in team management, conflict resolution, and safety protocols.
• Passionate about creating inclusive, engaging, and safe environments for campers and staff.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic setting with shared leadership responsibilities.
• Degree or Diploma in a relevant field, such as education, biology or outdoor recreation.
• Standard First Aid & CPR-C.
• Advanced first aid (or willingness to obtain).
• BC Class 4 Driver’s License (or willingness to obtain within the first 6 months).
• Criminal Reference Check with a Vulnerable Sector Screening issued no later than six (6) months preceding start date.
• Pleasure Craft Operator Card.

Additional Qualifications (assets)

• ACCT Level 2.
• Out-tripping experience is considered an asset.

About Camp Elphinstone

YMCA Camp Elphinstone, located near Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast, is just a 40-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay, Vancouver. Nestled on 144 acres of temperate rainforest along the shores of Howe Sound, the camp offers a variety of programs for youth ages 5-17 during July and August. These include one- and two-week overnight camps, Leadership Development programs, multi-day paddling and hiking trips, and day camps. From September to June, Camp Elphinstone functions as an Outdoor Education, Event, and Retreat Centre, hosting schools, conferences, weddings, and other special interest groups. Annually, the camp serves over 10,000 participants.

YMCA Camp Elphinstone can accommodate and dine up to 472 campers or guests. During July and August, the camp employs around 140 staff and volunteers, while the spring and fall Outdoor Education seasons see a team of 20-50 members. In the winter season, a smaller core team of 10 staff members is maintained. Successful staff at Camp Elphinstone are self‑motivated individuals dedicated to helping children and youth thrive in an outdoor camp setting, and they are committed to providing 5-star customer service to all client groups.

We acknowledge that the land where YMCA Camp Elphinstone operates is the traditional, unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh-ulh Temíx̱w (Squamish) Nation since time immemorial. Further, we recognize that our camp activities extend across the Sunshine Coast, which includes the traditional and unceded territories of several Coast Salish Nations, whose peoples have stewarded and continue to protect and care for the lands, waterways and airways where we are grateful to live, work, play and learn.

About YMCA BC

By igniting belonging and championing health equity, YMCA BC strengthens the foundations of community. With over 3,000 employees and volunteers, YMCA BC serves 150,000 individuals of all ages, backgrounds and abilities across hundreds of service locations, from the Sunshine Coast to Fort St. John.

As a charity, YMCA BC promotes equitable access to healthier outcomes by providing vital programs and services to help address many of our communities' most pressing social issues, including health and wellness, affordable child care and camps, mental health, employment services and community health.

We believe there is potential inside all of us and envision vibrant, healthy and inclusive communities for all.

YMCA BC is firmly committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging (EDIB). By taking an intersectional approach to our programs and services, the YMCA is committed to creating spaces and experiences where everyone feels safe, welcome, and like they belong. Learn more at

Application Process

Ready to make a difference?

We invite you to apply today and find your WHY!

Internal Applicants: Please apply online to this position through the ADP Workforce Now Career Centre. (Myself / Talent / Career Centre)

Application Deadline: This process will continue until all positions have been filled. However, please apply early for your preferred positions.

Due to longer processing times for visas and work permits – all international candidates who need to apply for a work permit must apply before these deadlines:

Spring Season: January 15th 2026, at 11:59pm PST

Summer Season: February 29th 2026 at 11:59pm PST

If you apply outside of these time frames, the chances of receiving a decision on time will be lower due to high demand for processing applications.

Throughout the recruitment process, our main method of contact is via email. As such, we ask that you please monitor your emails regularly and respond to any emails from us in a timely manner. Any delays in communication can significantly impact the recruitment process, especially if deadlines are missed.

Hiring Timeline

• November
  • Job Postings go live
  • Review of Applications
  • Contacting applicants to offer interview
• December
  • First round of interviews begin
  • Continuous review of applications & offer of interviews
• January
  • First round of successful applicants will be contacted
  • Continuous review of applications & offer of interviews

Please include any and all relevant certifications in your online application.

You will receive an automated notification to confirm receipt of your application.

• If short-listed for a position: We will contact, you to move forward to the next step. Throughout the recruitment process, our main method of contact is via email. As such, we ask that you please monitor your emails regularly and respond to any emails from us in a timely manner.
• If not selected for a specific posting: Continue applying for future positions matching your qualifications and interests.

Note: Depending on the role, we may be required to prioritize internal applicants. At YMCA BC, we approach each hiring process individually, recognizing that people bring diverse experiences and strengths. If this opportunity speaks to you, we encourage you to apply—even if you don’t meet every listed qualification. Your unique background might be just what we’re looking for. And if this role isn’t the right fit, we hope you’ll continue exploring future opportunities with us that align with your skills and aspirations.

YMCA BC is committed to creating an inclusive, accessible environment where all members of our community feel valued, respected, and supported. We encourage applications from the diverse communities in which we live and serve, including but not limited to people of colour, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. We have established policies, procedures, and practices to meet accessibility standards throughout the hiring process. Should you require any accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to contact our People Services department.