Leadership Development Counsellor

Job Posting

Leadership Development Counsellor

Rate of Pay: $144.61 per day plus food & accommodation

Position Status: Seasonal Contract, Full time

Term: June 18th – September 4th, 2026

Reports To: Leadership Development Supervisor

Nature & Scope

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

These staff members are responsible for facilitating the LD1 and LD2 programs. They work cooperatively with other members of the staff team to develop and deliver the LD programs, which build camp skills, leadership abilities and group development among campers.

Both LD programs go on an offsite paddling or backpacking out-trip, and LD Counsellors must be comfortable participating in these out-trips. Previous camp experience is essential, as is a high level of core camp skills and group facilitation and the desire to support the development of youth leaders in a camp setting. Strong applicants to the LD Counsellor positions will have years of experience leading many different programs with participants of all ages.

Major Responsibilities- in this position, you will:

• Live in cabins with a co-counsellor and up to 10 campers. Accompany cabin to all programs throughout the day. Provide 24 hour supervision to these campers.
• Plan and deliver experiential and educational leadership programming. Facilitate Camp Elphinstone’s core programs such as high ropes, canoeing, kayaking, archery etc. and be able to adapt programming to suit the LD outcomes.
• Manage complex group dynamics and behaviour of the cabin group to ensure the emotional and physical safety of all campers. Ensure that all campers feel supported, safe, and all their needs (physical, emotional, social, medical, and nutritional) are being met.
• Share your passion for camp and the outdoors, while integrating and promoting healthy youth development.
• Support multi-day canoe or backpacking trips with co-counsellor, out-tripper and a group of campers.
• 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 working with youth.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience working with children and youth in a camp or outdoor setting.
• Experience facilitating a diverse range of outdoor programming for participants of all ages
• In accordance with BCCA Standards, LD Counsellors must be at least 19 years old by July 5th, 2026.
• 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 and Paddle Canada Instructor
• BC Class 4 driver’s license
• Wilderness First Aid (40 hour)

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 bc.ymca.ca.

Application Process-ready to make a difference?

Spring Season: January 15th 2026, at 11:59pm PST

Summer Season: February 29th 2026 at 11:59pm PST

What to expect:

Here is our expected timeline:

November

• Job Postings go live
• Review of Applications

December

• First round of interviews begin
• Continuous review of applications & offer of interviews

January

• 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.

Thank you for your interest and application.