Program Team Leader

YMCA-YWCA of Vancouver Island; Sooke; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused outdoor camp is looking for Program Team Leaders to supervise staff and lead activities. Your role includes organizing camp programs and ensuring safety and inclusion for participants, as well as interacting with campers and families. Success in this position requires a clear police check, camping experience, and certifications in first aid and lifeguarding. This position offers a daily wage plus accommodation and meals, set in scenic Vancouver Island.

Benefits

All meals during work

YMCA-YWCA gym membership

4% vacation pay

Qualifications

• Clear police information check, with Vulnerable Sector Screening.
• Several years of day or overnight camping experience.
• Current Standard First Aid with CPR C or higher.

Responsibilities

• Supervise counseling staff and maintain camp program organization.
• Communicate with parents and ensure camper satisfaction.
• Contribute to camp operations and meal supervision.

Skills

Energetic

Motivated

Organized

Bilingual (French)

Education

Enrollment or completion of post-secondary education in a related field

Tools

Standard First Aid with CPR C or higher

Bronze Cross or National Lifeguard certification

Wilderness First Aid with CPR-C

Job description

Program Team Leaders

Join our team and make a difference in people’s lives!

Placement: April 25, 2026 (or late June) – September 4th, 2026 (possibility of extension through September)

Wage: $150-$165/day plus Room & Board Included!

Join YMCA-YWCA Camp Thunderbird, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, near Sooke, BC and help shape tomorrow’s leaders through outdoor adventure, nature programming, and wilderness immersion! We offer both overnight and day camp programs. With 1200 acres of wilderness and a commitment to excellence, our camp provides children and youth with skills, confidence, and appreciation for the natural environment. Activities include canoeing, rock climbing, kayaking, archery, orienteering, ropes courses, environmental education, lake swimming, games, campfires, drama, and 3-5 day trips in the BC wilderness.

You’ll be part of a tight-knit and caring team.
You’ll lead activities, teach skills, facilitate safety, build community, and promote inclusion.
You’ll also get:

• Staff special events such as evening socials (build your own sundae, nacho night etc.)
• All meals while working. Our dining hall boasts tasty and nutritious meals including daily bottomless salad bar, evening desserts and warm breakfast with breakfast bar.
• Free membership to the YMCA-YWCA gym and pool facilities during employment
• 4% vacation pay on top of your daily wage.

Our Camp Thunderbird and Outdoor Education Team Leaders (TLs) are leaders and role models in the camp community, and support our front-line program staff, in the delivery of quality outdoor education and summer camp programs. They provide a range of support from direct program instruction to guidance and mentorship of counselling staff members. All staff participate in daily cleaning, maintenance, and janitorial duties.

Successful applicants will be energetic, motivated, organized, and capable of creating a positive sense of belonging for all participants. TL’s will be required to live on-site during our program season in rustic, shared accommodation, and will be required to support counselling staff in providing care for children 24hrs/day.

What you’ll be doing:
Supervise counseling staff, maintain and develop systems for organizing camp programs and logistics, develop new programming.
Communicate with, and respond to feedback from, Outdoor Education clients (teachers and group leaders) to ensure satisfaction with schedule, program delivery, meals and accommodation.
Responsible for a section of campers, up to approximately 60-80 campers per session.
Support campers and their families by communicating with parents as required.
Perform administrative and organizational tasks related to their section.
Function as an in-ratio counsellor when required.
Seek help from a supervisor when it’s necessary. They are there to help!
Contribute to day-to-day camp operations such as support of dining hall logistics and/or meal supervision, direct supervision of groups of campers, and other duties as required.

What you’ll need before work starts:

• A clear police information check, with Vulnerable Sector Screening
• Education: Enrollment or completion of post-secondary education in a related field is an asset.
• Successful applicants will have several years of day or overnight camping experience.
• Current Standard First Aid with CPR C or higher
• Current Bronze Cross or National Lifeguard (NL) certification is valued (those with NL will earn a higher wage than those with equivalent experience but without NL)
• French-speaking bilingual is an asset
• 40- or 80-hour Wilderness First Aid with CPR-C is an asset
• SKGABC Assistant Overnight Guide and/or Paddle Canada Canoeing certifications an asset

How to apply: Apply today! Email your cover letter & resume or a YMCA-YWCA application form to [e-mail] and get ready for a great summer outside.

NOTES:

Shortlisting for interviews will begin in early January and will be ongoing – flexible interview scheduling is available.
Please indicate in your cover letter how you heard about this position.
We thank all applicants, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
The YMCA-YWCA of Vancouver Island is committed to equity and inclusion, and welcomes those who are gender diverse, 2SLGBTQIA+, First Nations, Metis and Inuit, Black, racialized, neurodiverse, and people living with disabilities to apply. If you require accommodations during the application process, please let us know.
BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) Canadians aged 17 to 25 can apply to the YMCA Camp Equitable Employment Fund (CEEF), which exists to decrease barriers to employment at camps for people traditionally marginalized and underrepresented in the camping industry. Successful applicants receive financial assistance to offset the personal expenses of working in the outdoor industry, including certification courses, personal gear, equipment, and travel costs. For more information and to apply visit CEEF Funding.
The YMCA-YWCA of Vancouver Island is an equal opportunity employer.