Winter Break Camp Program Support Counsellor - Helping Hands

Winter Break Camp Program Support Counsellor - Helping Hands

Location	YMCA Day Camp at sites in St. Catharines, Grimsby, Welland, Port Colborne, and Niagara Falls
Pay	$17.95-$18.50 per hour
Employment Type	Seasonal Contract – 24 hours per week. Hours of work are primarily Monday to Friday daytime, with some evenings and weekends required for training, recruitment and promotional events
Vacancies	3
Placement Date	December 21, 2026, plus hours of paid pre-camp training

Work for a charity that ignites the potential in people. Every. Single. Day.

At the YMCA of Niagara, you’ll be part of a purpose-led organization with a clear focus on community well-being. Our work is powered by relationships and grounded in inclusion. We support people of all ages and circumstances with opportunities that build health, belonging, and connection so individuals and families can grow, lead, and give back.

For more than 165 years, we have been part of the fabric of this region, evolving alongside Niagara and showing up where the need is greatest. With a presence in over 125 program sites, we continue to expand what well-being can look like, creating welcoming spaces where more people can participate and feel they belong.

Guided by our shared values of caring, health, honesty, inclusiveness, respect, advocacy, and responsibility, the YMCA offers meaningful roles where your work is felt every day. If you’re ready to bring energy and care to a team that keeps moving forward, you’ll find purpose here.

NATURE & SCOPE

The Program Support Counsellor supports the successful integration, safety, and well-being of campers with diverse needs while strengthening staff capacity through modelling, coaching, and collaborative problem-solving. The role emphasizes proactive behaviour support, integrated program delivery, and consistent application of YMCA standards across camp environments.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Support & Integration

• Support campers with behavioural, physical, developmental, or medical needs through individualized and group-based strategies.
• Read, interpret, and apply camper profiles and integration plans to provide appropriate, responsive support.
• Modify activities, routines, and transitions to accommodate diverse abilities while maintaining engagement and program quality.
• Monitor and evaluate camper progress, adjusting strategies to promote positive outcomes and meaningful participation.
• Identify early signs of behavioural stress and implement proactive, preventative, and restorative approaches.
• Promote emotional safety, positive behaviour, and successful integration throughout all camp activities.
• Ensure maximum camper integration while supporting regulation breaks as needed.
• Model effective behaviour management, de-escalation, and integration strategies during daily program delivery.
• Support frontline staff with group dynamics, proactively addressing bullying, isolation, conflict, and behavioural concerns.
• Provide in-the-moment guidance and feedback to staff to reinforce best practices in supervision, integration, and emotional safety.
• Act as a collaborative resource to staff, supervisors, and volunteers, demonstrating flexibility and shared responsibility.
• Step in to support program continuity during staff absences or unexpected situations.
• Reinforce YMCA values, professionalism, boundaries, and confidentiality through role modelling.
• Maintain accurate, detailed, and up-to-date documentation, including camper notes, behaviour records, washroom logs, incident reports, and integration plans.
• Submit clear and timely incident reports and required documentation.
• Maintain records of strategies implemented and outcomes achieved.
• Contribute to end-of-season summary reports as requested.
• Other duties as assigned.
  

QUALIFICATIONS

• Current Standard First Aid/CPR(C) Certification.
• Completion of High School or some Post Secondary education in Child & Youth, Education, RECE, or related field an asset.
• Experience working with children is an asset.
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (Crisis Prevention Institute) Training is an asset.
• Current Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) issued for the YMCA of Niagara if above the age of 18.

Working Conditions:

• Work is in an outdoor environment in various weather conditions.
• Typically work Monday through Friday, scheduled for shifts between the hours of 7:30am and 5:30pm.
• Evening and weekend work will be required during training and for staff meetings.
• This role requires participation in activities involving varying levels of physical activity. Accommodation will be provided in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

COMPETENCIES:

Child and Youth Focus
Demonstrates a commitment to supporting the growth, development, and well-being of children and youth through positive engagement, supervision, and role modelling.

Service Orientation
Proactively creates positive, inclusive experiences that enhance the quality of service for campers, families, and staff.

Quality & Outcome Focus
Ensures YMCA programs meet established standards, responds quickly to issues that threaten quality or values, and supports program outcomes and relevance.

Relationship Building & Collaboration
Works effectively as part of a team, builds positive working relationships, and contributes to a respectful, supportive, and accountable camp environment.

Health and Safety
Understands and applies health and safety practices, risk mitigation strategies, and emergency procedures to maintain safe environments for campers, volunteers and other staff.

Diversity
Values and promotes diverse perspectives and inclusive practices that strengthen the YMCA community.

DAY CAMP OVERVIEW

Camp operates Monday to Friday with shifts scheduled between 7:30am-5:30pm. Most camp staff are scheduled to work between 7.5 and 8.5 hours per day.

For more information on this and the variety of camps we offer, please visit our website ymcadaycamp.ca.

Successful applicants must attend all pre-camp meetings and training including training on YMCA Child & Youth Safety and Protection Policies and Procedures.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested applicants are invited to submit an application by noon on November 27, 2026.

Internal applicants are encouraged to apply on our internal job board by logging into their UKG portal and navigating to Myself > My Company > View Opportunities. Internal applicants are also encouraged to notify their supervisor before applying.

All applicants are thanked for their interest. Only those applicants being considered for an interview will be contacted by email.

Accessibility accommodations and materials in alternate formats for individuals with disabilities can be arranged upon request.

For more information on other opportunities at the YMCA of Niagara, please visit: ymcaofniagara.org