Senior Leadership Trainer Flat Water

Pay within range based on years of directly transferrable experience

Daily Rate: $118.44 - $125.69 Weekly Rate: $710.64 - $754.14

Location: YMCA Camp Pine Crest, Torrance, Ontario (Transportation to camp is available at the beginning and end of the summer)

Work Hours: Must be available to work 6 days a week between Monday – Sunday

Employment Type: Seasonal Contract (Existing Vacancy)

Number of Vacancies: 6

Anticipated Start Date: June 7, 2026

Deadline to Apply: February 28, 2026 at 5:00pm

Be the Spark! Join our dynamic team a YMCA Camp Pine Crest, where every day is different, and you will always be engaged with meaningful work!

YMCA Camping and Outdoor Education offers outdoor experiences that foster personal growth and build community. After taking part in our programs, children and youth return home more confident, independent, and with new friendships. YMCA Camp Pine Crest is an overnight camp serving children, families, and organizations through naturally focused programs that embody the mission, vision, and outcomes of the YMCA. Camp Pine Crest is made up of 650 acres of Muskoka wilderness surrounded by 3 interconnected lakes with 8km of shoreline; has over 26km of hiking trails and 7,500 sq. ft. of dock and has 60 buildings.

Senior Leadership Trainers work in pairs to facilitate and deliver high-quality, intentional Senior Leadership Programs at YMCA Camp Pine Crest. Through their guidance, participants gain exposure to leadership theory, group development, technical and interpersonal skill development, and opportunities to build resilience and confidence, while developing the skills needed to become the next generation of Pine Crest staff. An integral part of the program includes out-trips, where Trainers mentor participants on flat water canoe trips and plan wilderness experiences to help participants build self-awareness, practical skills, and confidence in challenging outdoor environments.

Trainers are expected to demonstrate a high level of accountability and serve as positive, active, and inclusive role models within the staff team. They support the facilitation of training sessions for new counselling staff, deliver leadership development sessions effectively, and ensure the safety of all participants through proper certifications, experience, and sound judgment. Training opportunities are designed specifically for Senior Leadership participants (age 16), with program lengths varying throughout the season.

There are two Senior Leadership Flat Water programs:

• The French River
  While at camp, participants engage in the camp community, work with younger campers, and take part in leadership development and skill-building activities before embarking on an eight-day flat-water canoe trip through French River Provincial Park. During this expedition, participants learn the skills needed to lead a successful canoe trip. The two staff members running the French River program are also responsible for facilitating a High School Credit course, with support from the YMCA Academy.
• Senior Leadership Exchange
  This program focuses on leadership development while fostering connections with youth from across Canada. Pine Crest partners with another Canadian YMCA camp, allowing participants from both camps to join two camping trips—one in Ontario and one near the exchange partner’s location. While at camp, participants engage in dynamic programming designed to develop their leadership skills and promote collaboration with peers from other communities.

In this role, you will:

• Plan and execute activities, learning sessions, and debriefs to help participants develop self-awareness and hard skills, coaching each Senior Leadership Participant within their group to understand how personal actions affect the well-being of the whole group and how to act to improve themselves and the situation
• Ensure a high level of programming for participants while on-site and on trip, including implementing participant placements in various roles around camp
• Assist with participant high school credits, including facilitating assignments, marking, and ensuring participant completion
• Continuously build relationships with members, staff, volunteers, and community partners
• Supervise program participants while on-site and on trip
• Ensure equipment and safety needs of the group are met through maintenance, inventory, and repair of assigned equipment, and by following all safety protocols before and during trips
• Attend the Leadership Information Day in late May to meet the families of participants
• Act as a positive role model for all participants and fellow staff by embodying YMCA values and following all YMCA camp guidelines, policies, procedures, and Ontario Camps Association guidelines
• Perform other duties as assigned

You bring:

• Current Standard First Aid, CPR-C, NLS, Wilderness Advanced First Aid, Food Handler’s Certificate, ORCKA Canoe Tripping Level 3 by the start of contract, valid until at least the last day of the contract
• Lifesaving Instructor considered an asset (able to instruct Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, CPR-C)
• Minimum 3 years working with youth in leadership development
• Experience leading canoe trips
• Extensive knowledge of canoe tripping
• Ability to use frequent light to medium physical effort, including lifting up to 20 kg (44 lbs.), bending and stooping, pushing, carrying, and pulling
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and adapt to change
• Demonstrated organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work in a team environment and independently to achieve optimal collective results
• Well-developed interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to establish rapport and communicate effectively with members, staff, and volunteers
• Ability to provide mentorship and guidance to both inexperienced and seasoned staff
• Ability to deliver feedback in a timely and constructive manner to participants
• Ability to work flexible hours, including days, evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays required
• Minimum of 20 years old by the start of contract
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and building a sense of belonging

What you need to succeed:

• Commitment to the YMCA’s Mission, Vision and Values
• Focus on the health, safety and wellbeing of all children, youth, and vulnerable people in YMCA programs including understanding legal and moral obligations related to reporting suspected child abuse to Child Protection Services
• YMCA Competencies: Accountable, Relationship-Builder, Improvement-Orientated, Team Player & Leader, Equity and Wellbeing Promoter

Why work for the YMCA?

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity that ignites the potential in people, helping them grow, lead, and give back to their communities. We are committed to helping our employees reach their full potential and are recognized as a great place to work. We offer meaningful jobs and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of our communities. See what you can expect from the YMCA .

Joining the Y means contributing to over 170 years of providing opportunities for people to shine through programs and services, such as health and fitness, licensed child care, camps, employment and immigrant services, education and training, and services for youth, families, and seniors. Learn more in our 2025–2030 strategic plan, , which outlines how we are focused on building communities where people feel healthier and more connected to their neighbours.

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. We strive to remove barriers to employment and recognize that diverse staff who reflect the communities we work in enrich the experiences of our participants and our team. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite applications from all qualified candidates including racialized people/people of colour, Indigenous Peoples, disabled people/people with disabilities and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

If we can make the recruitment process more accessible for you, please let us know when we reach out about a job opportunity so we can work with you to accommodate your needs.

In keeping with our commitment to safety and child protection, job offers are contingent on the successful completion of a Police Records Check. Within the first four months and every three years thereafter, a Vulnerable Police Records Check is required. Learn more about these checks .

The YMCA only considers applicants who are legally entitled to work in Canada. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, due to the volume of applications we receive, we can only contact candidates who are selected for an interview.

Check out the next steps in our and see about working at the YMCA.