Challenge Course and Initiatives Team Lead

YMCA of Northeastern Ontario; Canada; On-site; CAD 25,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

YMCA membership

Family membership discount

Personal/sick days

Employee assistance program

Team events

Job summary

YMCA of Northeastern Ontario is seeking a Challenge Course and Initiatives Team Lead for John Island Camp near Spanish, Ontario. The role oversees all challenge course and initiative programming, ensuring safety, coordinating staff, and delivering engaging camper experiences during the summer season.

The position requires experience in adventure programming, staff training, and climbing wall operations, with a strong emphasis on risk management and effective communication in a camp setting.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience at summer camps or outdoor centres.
• Experience in adventure programming and challenge course operations.
• Experience training staff in challenge course skills and group facilitation.
• Experience planning, facilitating, and instructing challenge course programs in an overnight camp setting.
• Experience supervising staff in challenge course environments and ensuring safety.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare, and lead all challenge course and initiatives programs.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of staff and participants.
• Supervise challenge course staff and support their training and evaluations.
• Develop and deliver staff training sessions during Staff Training Week and the summer.
• Collaborate with the Camp Director to update Local Operating Procedures.
• Work with third‑party organizations to ensure equipment safety.
• Facilitate programs during individual choice and specialty program periods.
• Conduct daily and monthly inspections of challenge course equipment and elements.
• Manage course program equipment and resources.
• Adhere to YMCA policies and guidelines.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Adventure programming

Challenge course operations

Climbing wall operations

Staff training

Risk management

Communication

Bilingual (EN/FR)

Job description

Challenge Course and Initiatives Team Lead

Spanish, ON P0P 2A0, Canada

Job Description

Posted Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at 4:00 AM

The YMCA of Northeastern Ontario has been serving our local communities for over 180 years and we are committed to supporting our local families, children, adults, youth and seniors in our various programs and services today.

At the YMCA, our values and purpose drive everything that we do. As a charity, we’ve championed values of empathy, health, trustworthy, inclusiveness, respect and responsibility. Helping people develop a healthy spirit, mind and body and inspiring a sense of social responsibility is the cornerstone of our legacy of caring.

To learn more about our programs and services offered please visit our website .

This job posting is for the creation of an applicant pool and is not intended to fill a current vacancy at this time.

We are currently looking for a Challenge Course & Initiatives Team Lead to join our team of committed professionals. This full-time contract position within the Association is based at the YMCA of Northeastern Ontario’s John Island Camp location near Spanish, Ontario.

Under the leadership of the Program Manager and Director of John Island Camp, the Challenge Course & Initiatives Team Lead is responsible for all challenge course and initiatives programming at camp. This includes planning, preparing, and leading programs such as the low ropes elements, high ropes elements, and the climbing wall. The Challenge Course & Initiatives Team Lead ensures the safety and well-being of all staff and participants, supervises challenge course staff, manages program equipment and resources, and works to deliver a high-quality, engaging, and meaningful experience for all campers.

START DATE: May 1, 2026

LOCATION: YMCA John Island Camp

RATE OF PAY: $18.00-$19.50

Major Responsibilities

Plan, prepare, and lead all challenge course and initiatives programs, including high ropes elements, low ropes elements, initiatives activities, and the climbing wall

Ensure the safety and well-being of all staff and participants in challenge course programs

Supervise challenge course staff and support their training, development, and performance through ongoing feedback and evaluations

Develop and deliver staff training sessions during Staff Training Week and throughout the summer

Collab-orate with the Camp Director to develop, review, and update all Local Operating Procedures for challenge course activities

Work with third-party organizations to ensure all equipment and elements are operating safely and as intended

Facilitate programs during individual choice and specialty program periods

Conduct daily and monthly inspections of all challenge course equipment and elements

Manage challenge course program equipment and resources

Adhere to OCA, YMCA, and John Island Camp policies, procedures, and guidelines

Perform other duties as assigned by the Association

Qualifications

Must be at least 18 years old

Minimum of 2 years’ experience working at summer camps or outdoor centres

Experience or education in adventure programming, challenge course, and climbing wall operations

Experience training and supporting staff in challenge course skills and group facilitation

Experience planning, facilitating, and instructing challenge course and climbing wall programs in an overnight camp setting

Experience supervising staff in challenge course environments and ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants

Skilled in risk management related to challenge course and climbing wall operations

Knowledgeable in challenge course and climbing wall safety, rescues, and life safety systems

Ability to facilitate staff training sessions for challenge course staff

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills

Bilingualism in both official languages is considered an asset

Current and satisfactory Police Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening

As a charity and community-based organization, we know how important connection and wellness is, and we offer a workplace that invests in people. We provide:

Free YMCA membership + 10% off family membership

Paid personal/sick days

Employee & Family Assistance Program with counselling, coaching, legal + financial supports

Team events + staff recognition

Explore different YMCA roles and career paths