Head Camp Counsellor

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

Job summary

A community-focused youth organization in the Sunshine Coast region is seeking an experienced Head Camp Counsellor to lead and mentor a team during the summer camp operations. The candidate will ensure the successful management of camper needs, provide guidance to Camp Counsellors, and oversee program delivery. Ideal candidates will have a background in camp management or youth programming, with a commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all participants. This full-time temporary role offers competitive compensation and a supportive work culture.

Benefits

Food & accommodation provided

Qualifications

• 2 years of experience in an overnight camp setting.
• Criminal Reference Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening.
• 3 successful reference checks.

Responsibilities

• Provide support and guidance to the Camp Counsellor team.
• Ensure all campers feel safe and their needs are met.
• Assist with camper scheduling and daily transitions.

Skills

Support challenging camper behaviours

Problem-solving

Leadership

Education

Experience in an overnight camp setting

Standard First Aid and CPR-C

Job description

Date Posted : November 19th 2025

Position Title : Head Camp Counsellor

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

Term : Temporary, Full time

Start Date : June 18th, 2026

End Date : September 4th, 2026

Salary : $153.75 per day plus food & accommodation

Reports To : Camp Section Supervisor

Nature & Scope

YMCA Camp Elphinstone is seeking individuals to fill the role of Head Camp Counsellor.

Head Camp Counsellors work closely with the Camper Section Supervisors to support the staff team and the campers in their section. The Head Counsellor will support the staff in their section throughout the summer as their first point of contact for any questions, concerns, or assistance needed with campers. Head Camp Counsellors assist the Camper Supervisors in scheduling, supporting challenging camper behaviours, communicating with families, facilitating daily transition times & meals, and all tasks necessary for the success of camp.

Head Camp Counsellors should possess strong abilities in several camp and / or outdoor related activities, in addition to demonstrated abilities to facilitate growth and group development among young people.

Head Camp Counsellors are members of the Head Counsellor team. Members of the Head Counsellor team work closely with the Supervisor of their section to support staff training, day-to-day operations and transitions, challenging camper behaviors, and mentoring staff.

Head Camp Counsellors will be assigned to an age group for the summer.

Camper age groups :

• Early Schedule – younger campers (2 positions)
• Late Schedule – older campers (2 positions)

Major Responsibilities- in this position, you will :

• Provide support and guidance to the Camp Counsellor team
• Support the delivery of prepared, innovative training that supports professional development of staff & volunteers.
• Ensure the programming facilitated by Camp Counsellors meets the standards and expectations.
• Ensure the safety of all members, participants, staff, and property by following YMCA standards / policies / procedures and ensuring they are maintained amongst all participants and staff.
• Support Camp Counsellors in ensuring that all campers feel supported, safe, and all their needs (physical, emotional, social, medical, and nutritional) are being met.
• Support with sign-in and sign-out days.
• Assist the Camper Supervisors in scheduling, supporting challenging camper behaviours, communicating with families, facilitating daily transition times & meals, and all tasks necessary for the success of camp.
• 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.

Qualification- you bring :

• Experience supporting challenging camper behaviours.
• Proven ability to solve problems independently.
• 2 years of experience working in an overnight camp setting.
• Standard First Aid and CPR-C.
• Criminal Reference Check with a Vulnerable Sector Screening issued no later than six (6) months preceding start date.
• 3 successful reference checks.

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- ready to make a difference?

We invite you to apply today and find your WHY!

Internal Applicants : Please apply online to this position through the ADP Workforce Now Career Centre. (Myself / Talent / Career Centre)

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.

What to expect

Here is our expected 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

Please include any and all relevant certifications in your online application.

You will receive an automated notification to confirm receipt of your application.

• If 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. At YMCA BC, we approach each hiring process individually, recognizing that people bring diverse experiences and strengths. If this opportunity speaks to you, we encourage you to apply—even if you don’t meet every listed qualification. Your unique background might be just what we’re looking for. And if this role isn’t the right fit, we hope you’ll continue exploring future opportunities with us that align with your skills and aspirations.

YMCA BC is committed to creating an inclusive, accessible environment where all members of our community feel valued, respected, and supported. We encourage applications from the diverse communities in which we live and serve, including but not limited to people of colour, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. We have established policies, procedures, and practices to meet accessibility standards throughout the hiring process. Should you require any accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to contact our People Services department.