Job Description

Date Posted:

November 19th 2025

Position Title:

Camp Counsellor - Lifeguard

Location:

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

Term:

Temporary, Full time

Start Date:

June 21st, 2026

End Date:

September 4th, 2026

Salary:

$144.61 per day plus food & accommodation

Reports To:

Waterfront Supervisor

Nature & Scope

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


Lifeguards are responsible for the safety and positive experience of all campers and staff on the waterfront and they ensure all swimming and boating activities meet British Columbia Camping Association (BCCA), Lifesaving and YMCA standards. Lifeguards are required to positively role model, teach, and enforce waterfront safety rules and regulations for all campers and staff. Lifeguards are responsible for assisting with the care and maintenance of all waterfront equipment.


The Camp Counsellor - Lifeguard is a member of the Camp Counsellor team with a specialization.


Camp Counsellors work in pairs to lead a cabin of campers throughout their time at Camp Elphinstone, building an inclusive group dynamic, and ensuring the safety of all participants in their care. Camp Counsellors also work in Day Camp, leading a group of day campers during the day and supporting the rest of the team in the evenings. Many Counsellors have specializations; roles that they fill for certain weeks of the summer. Available specializations include Lifeguard, Paddling Instructor, Mountain Biking Instructor, Rock Wall/High Ropes Instructor, & Inclusion Staff. Depending on staffing needs, Counsellors with specializations may spend between a few weeks to the entire summer in their specialized role. All members of the Camp Counsellor team sleep in cabins with campers. Counsellors with specializations are paid at the same rate regardless of their role each week.

Major Responsibilities

-

in this position, you will

:

While acting as a

Lifeguard

Ensure the safety of all campers and staff at the waterfront during all swimming and boating activities. Regularly inspect, maintain, and inventory all waterfront equipment. Report issues to the Waterfront Supervisor. Work with the other Waterfront staff to be prepared and familiar with Camp Elphinstone's waterfront emergency procedures. Work with the other members of the Camp Counsellor team to accomplish shared responsibilities. Adhere to all provincial, lifesaving and YMCA standards, policies, and procedures.

While acting as a

Camp Counsellor

Live in cabins with a co-counsellor and their group of campers. Accompany cabin to all programs throughout the day and provide 24-hour supervision to these campers. Plan and deliver safe, fun, and experiential programming appropriate to the ages and abilities of campers. Assist with or take part in camp-wide programming. Manage 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 you passion for camp and the outdoors, while integrating and promoting healthy child and youth development. 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 children and youth. Standard First Aid & CPR-C NL Pleasure Craft Operator's Card Criminal Reference Check with a Vulnerable Sector Screening issued no later than six (6) months preceding start date. 2 successful reference checks

Additional Qualifications (assets)

CANSail Instructor 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 Skwxwu7mesh-ulh Temix?w (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?
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.

Thank you for your interest and application.