Camp Counsellor

YMCA of Greater Vancouver; Gibsons; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused organization located on the Sunshine Coast is seeking Camp Counsellors for summer camp at Camp Elphinstone. You will supervise cabins, plan engaging programs, and ensure the emotional and physical safety of campers. Ideal candidates possess experience with youth, relevant certifications, and are passionate about outdoor activities. Join a team dedicated to fostering youth development in a beautiful and supportive environment.

Benefits

Food and accommodation included

Opportunity for personal development

Working in a beautiful outdoor setting

Qualifications

• Overnight Camp Counsellors must be at least 18 years old.
• Day Camp Counsellors must be at least 17 years old.
• Previous experience working with children and youth is required.

Responsibilities

• Live in cabins with a co-counsellor and supervise campers.
• Plan and deliver safe and fun programming for campers.
• Manage group dynamics to ensure emotional and physical safety.

Skills

Experience working with children and youth

Standard First Aid & CPR-C

Strong abilities in camp and outdoor activities

Education

At least 18 years old by December 31st 2026

Criminal Record check with a Vulnerable sector search

Job description

Date Posted : November 17th 2025

Position Title : Camp Counsellor

Location : YMCA BC - Camp Elphinstone (1760 YMCA Rd, Gibsons, V0N 1V6, BC)

Term : Temporary, Full time

Start Date : June 21st 2026

End Date : September 4th 2026

Salary : $142.61 per day plus food & accommodation

Reports To : Camper Section Supervisor

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. Our cabin and group sizes are based on ratios set by the British Columbia Camping Association (BCCA). Counsellors are responsible for the planning and delivery of programs for campers.

Counsellors ideally possess strong abilities in camp and outdoor activities and are expected to engage with campers to facilitate growth and group development.

The Camp Counsellor is a member of the Camp Counsellor team. 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 campers in their care. All members of the Camp Counsellor team sleep in cabins with campers. 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.

Camp Counsellors can have specializations if they have the proper certifications and experience, please see other job postings for available specializations.

Major Responsibilities

• 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 your 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.

Qualifications

• In accordance with BCCA Standards, Overnight Camp Counsellors must be at least 18 years old by December 31st 2026. Day Camp Counsellors must be at least 17 years old by December 31st 2026.
• Experience working with children and youth.
• Standard First Aid & CPR-C
• 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.

Additional Qualifications (assets)

• NL
• Bronze Cross or Paddle Canada Instructor
• ACCT Level 2

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

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.

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

What if you are 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.

YMCA BC encourages applications from diverse communities. Should you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please reach out to our People Services department.