Wilderness Staff

Your Opportunity to SHINE ON:

At the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg we believe that belonging is the heart of potential and for more than 130 years Camp Stephensowned and operated by the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeghas brought this belief to life through exceptional overnight camp experiences on its island site in the heart of Lake of the Woods near Kenora Ontario. Guided by The Y Way and our commitment to Shine On Experiences Camp Stephens fosters a culture where safety inclusion growth and community are embedded in everything we do.

As a Wilderness Staff you will lead campers through transformative outdoor experiences teaching canoeing navigation campcraft and Leave No Trace principles while ensuring safety skill development and positive group dynamics. You will play a critical role in creating meaningful wilderness trips that foster confidence teamwork resilience and a lifelong connection to nature.

WHY youll love Camp Stephens:

Working at Camp Stephens means being part of a values-driven people-first culture grounded in inclusiveness well-being sustainability and inspiration. You will live and work in a unique wilderness environment build strong relationships with campers and peers and contribute to life-changing outdoor experiences while being supported by a passionate leadership team that values belonging learning and personal growth.

HOW youll create Moments that Matter:

You will lead and mentor campers through wilderness trips providing instruction in paddling portaging campsite setup outdoor cooking and environmental stewardship. You will manage trip logistics prepare and maintain gear and ensure all activities comply with YMCA-YWCA policies and best practices in risk management. You will model strong leadership foster inclusion and support campers personal growth while assisting with trip documentation incident reporting and continuous program improvement.

Youll bring:

• Previous wilderness tripping or outdoor leadership experience including canoeing navigation and campcraft
• Strong leadership mentorship and camper supervision skills
• Knowledge of risk management first aid and emergency preparedness in remote settings
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to create a supportive inclusive environment
• Technical proficiency in outdoor skills equipment use and Leave No Trace principles
• Willingness to complete the Y Winnipeg Camp Stephens Training Pathway (paid training provided if required)
• Required Certifications : Intermediate First Aid with CPR-C National Lifeguard (NL) Pool

How Y Winnipeg Supports Your Impact:

• Compensation: Not on trip: $58.33-$68.33 per day
  On trip: $151.00 - $161.00 per day
• Professional Development: Paid training and certification opportunities; applicants who do not yet have all required certifications are encouraged to apply as training and support may be available
• On-site Accommodation: Includes board and lodging while on trip
• Wellness: Complimentary Y membership and access to Employee Assistance Program
• A supportive mission-driven environment where your leadership and contributions are valued

Our Commitment to a Fair and Inclusive Hiring Process:

AI Disclosure: Our recruitment process incorporates AI technology for initial application screening to assist with assessing qualifications. All applications are also reviewed by our hiring team to ensure a fair and accurate assessment.

Candidate Experience: While only shortlisted candidates will be invited to interviews we are committed to transparency and will provide an update on application status within 45 days of submission.

Equity & Inclusion: Canadian experience is not required. We value diversity and welcome applicants with international education and work experience and we are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process.