Outdoor Living Skills & Tripping Team Lead

YMCA of Northeastern Ontario; Canada; Hybrid; CAD 25,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free YMCA membership

Family membership discount

Paid personal/sick days

Employee & Family Assistance Program

Mileage reimbursement

Team events

Learning & development

Career path exploration

Job summary

YMCA of Northeastern Ontario is seeking an Outdoor Living Skills & Tripping Team Lead for John Island Camp, near Spanish, Ontario. This full-time contract role focuses on planning, leading, and delivering canoe trips and backcountry living skills, while ensuring safety and staff development.

The position requires 18+ years old, 2+ years at camps, NL and Standard First Aid/CPR-C, plus strong leadership and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience at summer camps or outdoor centres.
• Experience leading or supporting canoe trips and backcountry programming.
• Experience facilitating outdoor living skills programs in overnight camps.
• Supervising staff in outdoor or tripping environments with safety focus.
• Knowledge of risk management in outdoor settings.
• Knowledge of OCA standards is an asset.
• Current NL certification is required.
• Current Standard First Aid with CPR-C required.

Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare outdoor living skills and tripping programs.
• Lead canoe trips and backcountry living activities.
• Ensure safety of staff and participants during trips.
• Support staff training and development.
• Manage equipment, inventory, and resources.
• Collaborate with Program Manager to deliver high-quality experiences.
• Follow YMCA and camp policies and guidelines.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Association.

Skills

Outdoor leadership

Risk management

Staff supervision

First aid / CPR-C

Outdoor instruction

Communication

Bilingualism (asset)

Education

National Lifeguard (NL)

Standard First Aid with CPR-C

Job description

We are currently looking for an Outdoor Living Skills & Tripping 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 Outdoor Living Skills & Tripping Team Lead is responsible for all outdoor living skills and tripping programs at camp. This includes planning, preparing, and leading canoe trips and outdoor skills programming such as camping skills, navigation, trip preparation, and backcountry living. The Outdoor Living Skills & Tripping Team Lead ensures the safety and well-being of all staff and participants, supervises tripping and outdoor skills 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 and prepare all outdoor living skills and tripping programs, including fire-building, shelter-building, archery, trip preparation, and backcountry living
• Ensure the safety and well-being of all staff and participants during trips and outdoor programs
• Support staff in their training and development related to tripping and outdoor living skills
• Manage tripping and outdoor equipment, inventory, and program resources
• Collaborate with the Program Manager to deliver high-quality, engaging, and meaningful experiences for all campers
• Follow 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 in outdoor living skills and tripping programs, including leading or supporting canoe trips and backcountry programming
• Experience planning, facilitating, and instructing outdoor living skills and tripping programs in an overnight camp setting
• Experience supervising staff in outdoor or tripping environments and ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants
• Skilled in risk management related to outdoor living skills and tripping programs
• Proficient in outdoor living and tripping skills, including shelter building, knots, fire building, hiking, canoeing, and basic wilderness rescue techniques
• Ability to facilitate staff training sessions for outdoor living skills and tripping staff
• Knowledge of OCA standards is considered an asset
• Hold a current National Lifeguard (NL) certification
• Current Standard First Aid with CPR-C required
• 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:

Benefits

• Free YMCA membership + 10% off family membership
• Paid personal/sick days
• Employee & Family Assistance Program with counselling, coaching, legal + financial supports
• Mileage reimbursement
• Team events + staff recognition
• Learning & development opportunities
• Explore different YMCA roles and career paths

CAMP EQUITABLE EMPLOYMENT FUND

The Camp Equitable Employment Fund (CEEF) is a grant created to reduce barriers to camp employment for individuals who have been historically marginalized and underrepresented in the camping industry.

The fund is open to Canadians, ages 18 to 25, who are a part of a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) communities. Ideal candidates will have previous experience, or a demonstrated interest, in working with youth. Camp-specific experience is not required.

Successful applicants will receive financial assistance to offset the personal expenses of working in the outdoor industry. This could include: certification courses, personal gear, equipment and travel costs.

Funding will be awarded to successful applicants across Canada in the order received and based upon available funding. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply for funding as soon as possible after applying for employment at camp.

If you have any questions about the Camp Equitable Employment Fund, please contact [e-mail]