Outdoor Pursuits Director

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.

The Outdoor Pursuits (OP) Director supports the safe, organized delivery of Pine Crest canoe tripping and leadership programs. The position coordinates trip preparation and logistics, supervises and develops staff, and works with camp teams to support participant needs and program quality. The role also contributes to camp-wide resource coverage and responds to trip emergencies and operational needs.

Two Outdoor Pursuits Directors will be hired, with each assigned to a specific area of the tripping program: one oversees overnight camper trips for campers aged 7-14, while the other oversees a portion of leadership trips for participants aged 14-16.

In this role, you will:

• Coordinate the quality and daily operation of the out-trip program, including trip logistics and program development.
• Coordinate and confirm trip preparation, equipment, inventory, maintenance, repairs, food orders, and safety requirements before trips depart from the Pine Crest main site.
• Supervise assigned staff, complete performance appraisals, observe leadership programming, and provide timely feedback, mentorship, and opportunities for growth.
• Collaborate with the supervisory team to plan and deliver staff training for wilderness tripping and Senior Leadership programs and to support other leadership programs.
• Coordinate with the Leadership Program Director to support leadership events, including Beach Day and other special programming opportunities.
• Work with other departments to coordinate support for campers in a tripping context and help ensure participant needs are met.
• Work with the supervisory team to create driving schedules and drive trips as needed based on program demands.
• Support the camp resource schedule, including clubs, one-to-one inclusion coverage, Staff of the Day, program and cabin support, waterfront guarding support, dish support, and Driver on Call responsibilities.
• Respond to trip and program emergencies as an on-call point of contact in a calm, informed, and supportive manner.
• Ensure programming for campers and leadership participants is safe, well organized, and aligned with YMCA camp guidelines, policies, procedures, and Ontario Camps Association standards.
• Build positive working relationships with participants, members, staff, volunteers, and community partners.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

You bring:

• First Aid and CPR certification that meets Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board requirements and YMCA policies.
• Current Wilderness First Responder, Pleasure Craft Operator Card, and Safe Food Handling certification required by the first day of employment and valid until at least the last day of the contract.
• Willingness to obtain an F Class Driver’s License.
• National Lifeguard certification and Ontario Recreational Canoeing and Kayaking Association (ORCKA) Moving Water 2 certification, are considered assets.
• Minimum 19 years of age by the start of the contract.
• Minimum 2 years of camp or wilderness tripping-related experience.
• Extensive knowledge of canoe and kayak tripping, including whitewater tripping.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to change.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to provide timely, professional, and constructive feedback.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently and in a team environment.
• 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 experienced staff.
• Ability to use frequent light to medium physical effort, including lifting up to 20 kg (44 lbs.), bending, stooping, pushing, carrying, and pulling.
• Flexibility to work days, evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays as required.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and building a sense of belonging.

If you are interested in this position and do not possess the necessary certifications and require assistance in attaining them, please indicate in your cover letter. Certain certifications may be eligible for Financial Assistance through the YMCA of Greater Toronto, or through referral to additional programs outside the YMCA that offer similar support. Eligibility is to be determined on an individual basis.

What you need to succeed:

• Commitment to the YMCA's Mission, Vision and Values.
• A commitment to uphold strong, safeguarding practices that protect the safety, well-being, inclusion of children, and youth.
• YMCA Competencies: Accountable, Relationship-Builder, Improvement-Oriented, 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 here.

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, Greater Together, 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 here.

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 recruitment process and see what others are saying about working at the YMCA.