Challenge Course Lead: High Ropes, Climbing & Training

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

Benefits offered by this job

Free YMCA membership

10% off family membership

Paid personal/sick days

Employee & Family Assistance Program

Mileage reimbursement

Team events

Learning & development opportunities

Job summary

YMCA John Island Camp is seeking a Challenge Course & Initiatives Team Lead for a full-time contract based at John Island Camp, near Spanish, Ontario. The role focuses on planning and leading challenge course activities, managing staff, and maintaining equipment to deliver high-quality experiences for campers.

Starting May 1, 2026, the position requires strong safety focus, staff supervision, and collaboration with leadership to update procedures.

Qualifications

• Experience in adventure programming and challenge course operations.
• Experience in training staff in challenge course skills and group facilitation.
• Experience planning and instructing challenge course and climbing wall programs in camp settings.
• Strong safety and risk management knowledge.

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
• Collaborate 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

Skills

Adventure programming

Challenge course operations

Climbing wall operations

Staff training

Group facilitation

Risk management

Safety procedures

Communication skills

Bilingualism

Education

Challenge Course Instructor Level 2

Job description

YMCA John Island Camp is seeking a Challenge Course & Initiatives Team Lead for a full-time contract based at John Island Camp, near Spanish, Ontario. The role focuses on planning and leading challenge course activities, managing staff, and maintaining equipment to deliver high-quality experiences for campers.

Starting May 1, 2026, the position requires strong safety focus, staff supervision, and collaboration with leadership to update procedures.