Director, Big Cove YMCA Camp

YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth; Merigomish; On-site; CAD 68,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

YMCA membership

Access to Y at Home

Discounts on childcare and camp

3 weeks vacation entitlement

Benefits package and pension

Wellbeing and counselling services

Job summary

YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth in Nova Scotia is seeking a dynamic, year-round Camp Director for Big Cove YMCA Camp in Merigomish. You will lead outdoor education, recreation, and youth programming, while ensuring safety, inclusivity, and high engagement of campers and staff.

Based on-site April to October, with winter duties from a base in Pictou County or Halifax, you will recruit and mentor seasonal staff, manage registrations and budgets, and cultivate community partnerships to grow

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in recreation, education, or related field.
• Minimum three years’ operational leadership in an overnight camp or similar setting.
• Experience designing youth outdoor education and recreation programming.
• Strong supervision and staff development capabilities.
• Ability to manage safety, standards, and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-quality outdoor education and recreation programs aligned with YMCA values.
• Recruit, train, and mentor seasonal staff; foster a collaborative culture.
• Oversee camp registration, budgets, and administrative systems.
• Build relationships with families, alumni, and community partners to boost enrollment.

Skills

Leadership

Staff Training

Program Design

Communication

Staff Supervision

Education

Post-secondary recreation/education

Overnight camp leadership experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Location: Big Cove YMCA Camp, Merigomish, Pictou County

Program: Big Cove YMCA Camp

Position Status: Full-Time

Compensation: $68,000 - $73,000 per year

There is potential inside all of us - we all have it in us to shine.

Every charity exists to help solve a problem - our charity exists to help solve many problems, from childcare shortages, social isolation, mental health issues, access to wellness, and more. Today, our network is spread across 100+ program locations in HRM and the province, meeting the most urgent needs of our communities in mental health supports, accessible childcare, supporting an increasing immigrant population, safe spaces for youth to grow and lead, helping to navigate a precarious labour market, delivering wellness programming for all, and creating community for isolated older adults.

We give people the tools, encouragement, and safe space to discover their inner strength. When they know someone’s in their corner, with unconditional support, they realize they can do more than they thought possible. It’s your support, expertise, and guidance that helps people ignite their full potential and shape our neighbourhoods into vibrant and healthy communities.

With us at their side, they can Shine On.

As Part of Your Total Compensation:

• Receive a complimentary YMCA membership to our Health & Fitness facilities
• Access to Y at Home, where you can participate in fitness programs from your own home
• Discounts on YMCA childcare and camp programs
• 3 weeks’ vacation entitlement and paid wellness days
• Comprehensive benefits package and pension
• Complimentary wellbeing and counselling services

About the Role:

Big Cove YMCA Camp is seeking a dynamic and visionary full-time, year-round Camp Director to lead our camp operations. As an innovative and inspirational leader with a keen eye for quality, you will play a pivotal role in advancing the YMCA’s purpose of igniting the potential in people and helping strengthen our evolving communities.

This role requires a highly independent, action-oriented leader who approaches camp operations with a positive, solutions-focused mindset. You will be responsible for creating an environment where staff and campers feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to grow.

During the Spring, Summer, and early Fall seasons, the Camp Director resides onsite.

In the Winter season, the position transitions to a base in Pictou County or Halifax, or at an approved remote location as agreed upon with the General Manager. Year-round, the Camp Director ensures all camp operations run efficiently, serves as a dedicated community partner, excelling in outreach, cultivating meaningful connections and driving the growth and visibility of Big Cove YMCA Camp.

Responsibilities Include:

Program Leadership and Delivery:

• Collaborate with camp staff to design, deliver, and evaluate high-quality outdoor education, recreation, and extracurricular programs aligned with YMCA values and operational objectives
• Ensure all programming is inclusive, welcoming, and safe—fostering confidence, leadership skills, social development, and lifelong learning
• Champion innovation in programming to keep camp experiences fresh, engaging, and impactful

Team Development and Leadership:

• Recruit, train, and mentor seasonal staff, building a collaborative, high-performance culture
• Serve as a role model by embodying YMCA values, purpose, and commitment to service in all interactions
• Ensure all staff complete the YMCA Child Safeguarding training and all other relevant onboarding requirements prior to the active camp season

Operational and Administrative Management:

• Oversee camp registration processes, budgets, and administrative systems to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and compliance
• Provide input and strategic support for the long-term facilities and site development plan
• Ensure all YMCA onboarding requirements are met, including interviews, reference checks, documentation, and certification tracking for staff files
• Identifying, prioritizing, and overseeing maintenance requirements

Community and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build strong relationships with campers, families, advisory groups, alumni, and community partners to support enrollment and community impact
• Work closely with the Communications department to create and share engaging promotional materials for Big Cove YMCA Camp
• Act as an ambassador for the YMCA, representing the camp in community events and outreach initiatives

Other Duties as Required:

• Carry out other duties and responsibilities as reasonably assigned by the YMCA to support program and operational needs

Education and Skills Qualifications:

As a social connector and trailblazer, you bring:

• Post-secondary education in recreation, education, or related experience
• Minimum three (3) years’ experience in Operational Leadership in an overnight camp setting or related supervisory setting
• Proven background in developing high quality, inclusive, youth oriented outdoor education/recreational programming
• Proven background in facility direction, maintenance, and supervision of seasonal staff
• Demonstrated strong working knowledge of all relevant standards and legislation regarding the safe and appropriate operation of an overnight camp or demonstrated ability to learn them
• Intermediate Microsoft Office Skills
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple competing deadlines and tasks
• Superior interpersonal and communication skills and ability to establish rapport
• High level of initiative is needed to work independently and respond to unanticipated items
• Availability to reside on site at Big Cove Camp from April to October
• Experience in a YMCA camping environment and outdoor education is an asset

Please note that all successful candidates are required to provide:

• Criminal Record Check, Vulnerable Sector Check, and Child Abuse Register Check (less than 6 months old), if 18 years of age or older
• Attend Child Safeguarding Training upon hire
• Valid First Aid and CPR Training

At the YMCA, we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where every team member feels valued, respected, and empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. We believe that a variety of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences enrich our organization, enabling us to better serve our community and achieve our mission. As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, racially diverse, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, gender-diverse people, people with diverse abilities, members of ethnic minorities and faith groups, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.

If you require accommodation during the hiring process, please inform us in advance to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation.