Camper Support Specialist

Tim Horton's Foundation Camps; Barrie; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused youth organization in Ontario is seeking a Camper Support Specialist to support staff in addressing the mental health and emotional needs of campers aged 11-17. You will provide direct support, training, and coaching to staff in a camp setting. Ideal candidates will have a background in Social Work or related fields, experience with youth in a mental health context, and a passion for community engagement. Accommodation and meals are provided during the contract period.

Benefits

Accommodation and meals included

Bonus for staff referrals

Contract completion bonus

Qualifications

• Graduate of a post-secondary Social Work or related program.
• Experience working with youth aged 11 – 17 in a mental health setting.
• Ability to provide a criminal background check.

Responsibilities

• Support camp staff in meeting campers' mental, social, and emotional needs.
• Deliver training on mental health, behavior management, and bullying.
• Model healthy choices and emotional maturity.

Skills

Crisis management

Interpersonal skills

Influencing decision-making

Education

Post-secondary Social Work, Social Service Work, or Child and Youth Work program

Job description

Tim Hortons Foundation Camps

Tim Hortons Foundation Camps help youth from underserved communities achieve their full potential through multi-year, overnight camp experiences. Whether at camp or back home in their communities between visits—our youth work to build social, emotional, leadership and innovation skills and behaviours like volunteerism and motivation to learn so they become civically and academically engaged, and successfully transition to adulthood.

At Tims Camps, we are catalysts for good—helping our youth participants and teammates be the best they can be, developing personal and career growth. We empower young people with skills to open doors to their future. That is our North Star and, together, we help shape leaders that build stronger communities.

Camper Support Specialist

Job Summary

The Camper Support Specialist (CSS) is responsible for supporting camp staff in meeting the mental health, social, emotional, and behavioral needs of their campers and providing direct support to campers. They will work closely with other members of the wellness team, camp management, camp staff, and parents/guardians, as needed.

Work Location

This role will be based onsite at Tim Horton Memorial Camp, in Parry Sound, ON.

Contract Length

June 15, 2026 – August 28, 2026

What would you be doing?

• Deliver training on areas such as mental health, positive behavior management, bullying, disclosures, and appropriate responses to situations that may occur at camp.
• Inspire young people to discover their strengths, challenge limits, and build resilience and leadership capacity in a safe and supportive environment.
• Provide ongoing coaching and support to camp staff as it relates to meeting camper mental, behavioral, social, and emotional needs.
• Ensure proper response, follow-through and debrief on situations arising with campers.
• Handle cases of suspected abuse and neglect in line with Tim Camps Wellness Standards.
• Support campers and families by making referrals to support services in their home communities.
• Work collaboratively and communicate with camper families, the camp management team, wellness team and Camper Support Manager to meet the best interests of the camper.
• Establish relationships with youth that reflect respect, trust, and empathy.
• Join and support campers participating in program activities.
• Practice and coach staff through strengths-based individual and group behaviour management strategies.
• Model healthy choices and emotional maturity.
• Be challenged physically and mentally as you live in an overnight camp setting for 8-day sessions, with 3 days of break in between.
• Have the opportunity to experience personal growth alongside the campers you are supporting.

Does this sound like you?

• A graduate of a post-secondary Social Work, Social Service Work or Child and Youth Work program.
• Experience at working with youth aged 11 – 17 in a professional mental health setting.
• Crisis management experience is considered an asset.
• Understanding and sensitivity to the challenges faced by youth from low-income homes.
• Skilled in building interpersonal skills, including the ability to influence positive decision-making, listen, manage conflict, and practice sensitivity and compassion.
• Certified in Standard First Aid + CPR (adult, child, infant) with AED, or willing to obtain.
• Ability to provide an acceptable criminal background check.
• Ability to live on-site for an extended period of time and work flexible hours.
• Licensed or Registered Social Workers, Social Service Workers and Child & Youth Workers are preferred due to coverage on Tim Camps liability insurance policy.
• Unlicensed or Unregistered Social Workers, Social Service Workers and Child and Youth Workers, or equivalent, have restrictions on how they carry out their work (i.e., cannot be left alone or out of sight of other staff members when supporting campers).

Benefits of working with us

• Accommodation and meals are included for the duration of the contract.
• Bonus when you refer employees.
• Contract completion bonus.
• Bonus for staff working on our French-speaking site.
• Have a positive impact on the lives of young people.
• Opportunity to build lasting friendships with other staff.

To learn more about the impact of the experience you will take part in, watch this short video

Commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Tim Hortons Foundation Camps (THFC) is committed to a fair and inclusive work environment, and seek talent with diversity of life experiences and perspectives. We are an equal opportunity employer that hires talent regardless of age, race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, status as a protected veteran or any other legally protected grounds and will not discriminate on these bases.

If you have special accessibility requirements that need to be considered during the recruitment process, please let us know by emailing us at and a member of our HR team will get back to you. Information received relating to accommodation needs of applicants will be addressed confidentially.

Land Acknowledgement

Our work at Tims Camps takes place on unceded, traditional Indigenous lands across Turtle Island. We acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe Peoples, governed by the Williams Treaty and the Wsauksing First Nation peoples. We wish to recognize the long history of the indigenous peoples of Ontario and show respect to them. In an effort to support our Indigenous youth through the reconciliation process, we are grateful to acknowledge our ability to roam, learn and reflect on these Indigenous lands.