Job Description

Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) is the largest botanical garden in Canada and one of the largest in the world. With over 2,700 acres of cultivated gardens and nature preserves, it is also one of the biggest urban nature sanctuaries and marshland restoration sites in North America. With its extraordinary land holdings, breathtaking landscapes, biodiversity, collections, facilities, educational and conservation programs, RBG is a top-rated regional tourist attraction and a global leader in its sector.


Spend your summer with our Discovery Day Camps! Our camps are day camps for children ages 5 - 12 years old. All camp staff provide fun, safe, and memorable hands-on, environmental-based programs that suit the ages, needs, and interests of our participants.


As camp staff, you will lead hikes, games, and activities with your group as you go on daily explorations of our wetlands, fields, and forests. Our goal is to provide legendary guest experiences by introducing children to a lifetime of respect and appreciation for the natural world that sustains us all.


This is a full-time contract position encompassing:


Camp Preparation: May 11 - June 9, 2026 Co-ordinate Volunteers: May 11 - June 9, 2026 Training: June 10 - 18, 2026 Camp program: June 29 - Aug 28, 2026 Camp wrap-up: Aug 29 - Sept 5, 2026

Available Positions:

2

Responsibilities

Our goal is to provide memorable and meaningful experiences for all campers. With a focus on fun, respect, and safety, RBG day camps have a reputation for excellence. In this role, enthusiastic and focused camp staff will:


Hire, train, supervise, and support seasonal camp staff and volunteers. Conduct staff performance evaluations (mid-season and end-of-season). Develop and deliver pre-camp and in-season training sessions. Coordinate daily staff schedules and ensure effective team operations. Plan and oversee daily camp activities including hikes, games, and environmental education. Lead camps through indoor and outdoor programs in all weather conditions. Adapt and enhance programs using your expertise to meet campers' needs. Communicate with camper families, including welcome emails, inquiries, and registration updates. Maintain accurate records and reports (e.g., incident reports, program feedback). Ensure adherence to RBG policies and uphold a child-centered, respectful camp environment. Oversee the daily upkeep of camp areas at RBG Centre and the Nature Interpretive Centre. Act as an ambassador for RBG, promoting our mission and values.

Requirements

Attending secondary or post-secondary institution or graduate, with studies preferably in education, recreational leadership, environmental science, or pure science. Experience working with children in a similar setting with experience in camp, environmental and outdoor education, classroom teaching, etc. Always behave in a child-centered manner with a focus on care, compassion, kindness, and growth. Love working with children in a busy and active outdoor-focused program. Must have a First Aid Certificate, minimum level Standard First Aid with CPR-C. (See notes below.) A satisfactory Vulnerable Sector (VS) Check will be required of the successful candidates, at their expense. (See notes below.) Available for the full contract period including training dates. Available for full camp hours including extended care: camp staff may be required to begin as early as 7:45 AM and end as late as 5:30 PM.

Working Conditions

Ability to work outdoors daily throughout the summer, in all weather conditions (hot, humid, or rainy days). Ability to stand and walk on hard surfaces and turfed areas in the gardens for a considerable amount of time each day.

Notes

Note 1:

Vulnerable Sector (VS) Check


All camp staff over the age of 18 years require a Vulnerable Sector (VS) Check at their own expense and must be submitted prior to beginning work. VS checks are to be obtained from the municipality in which you permanently reside. Please check your local police services website to confirm what identification is required, cost, and payment method. Upon an offer, you must provide an original VS Check with a "Date of Search" of less than sixty (60) days from the hire date. Checks greater than sixty (60) days will not be accepted.

Note 2:

Minimum Age Requirement for Camp Staff


Following the Ontario Camps Association (OCA) standards (published 2023), all staff who have direct supervisory and programming responsibilities with participants, whether in an assistant role or not, must be at least sixteen (16) years of age within the calendar year.

Note 3:

"Standard" First Aid with CPR Level "C"


All staff associated with camp must possess and maintain current certification in "Standard" First Aid with CPR Level "C" issued by a WSIB-recognized training agency. Please refer to the WSIB website (www.wsib.on.ca) for approved providers. Proof of certification must be provided before the start of the contract.

Note 4:

All required qualifications must be clearly identified on your resume and must be current for the entire employment period.

Application Process

Qualified applicants, please apply online at

www.rbg.ca/careers by

February 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM

.


RBG is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. We encourage applications from members of equity-seeking communities, including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.


RBG is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. Upon request, suitable accommodations are available under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.


We thank all applicants, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.


We use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance our recruitment process, ensuring efficiency and fairness. AI helps us review applications consistently, match skills to job requirements, and streamline communication. All decisions are guided by human oversight to uphold our commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity. If you have questions about the use of AI in this process, feel free to contact hr@rbg.ca .