Camp Thunderbird (Vancouver Island Y) - Level 2 Guide

Camp Thunderbird offers guided trips (sea kayaking and hiking) on and around Vancouver Island, for children and youth. Staff hired as Sea Kayak Guides will work with Counselling staff to ensure that these experiences are safe, fun and help the participants increase their skills and confidence in being outdoors. These positions require technically skilled people who value the opportunity to work collaboratively with other staff in delivering a well-rounded program. The Sea Kayak Guides must love working with children and be able to demonstrate that they are committed to both providing quality camping experiences for children and youth, and adhering to the Y’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility, and inclusiveness.

Successful applicants will be energetic, motivated, organized, and capable of creating a positive sense of belonging for all participants. Guides will be accommodated on-site during our program season in shared rustic accommodation (as appropriate/required).

Our kayak groups are accompanied by a Level 2 Guide, and assisted by one or two AOGs for every expedition. There are 7 or 8 youth participants with at least one Level 2 guide and one AOG. Most often, there is a third leader, who may or may not be an AOG. We travel with singles and doubles.

Responsibilities:
• Ensure the safety of all participants, staff, and volunteers when on trips
• Enthusiastically assist in the leadership of campers in all activities, as well as helping to meet the individual and group needs of children in their care, 24 hours a day
• Adhere to relevant standards in program and service delivery (YMCA Camping, BCCA Accreditation, SKGABC, OCC, etc.)
• Promote, incorporate and role model the YMCA-YWCA core values in all program activities
• Provide participants with challenges, supporting their development of new skills; adjust programs and make changes as required
• Support an increase in environmental awareness and appreciation by youth
• Demonstrate, promote and role model exceptional interpersonal skills, and a love of working with children and youth
• All staff assist with cleaning, maintenance and food services tasks as required
• Assist with other camp/trip related duties as required

Qualifications:
•Current Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC (SKGABC) Level 2 or 3 certification, or equivalent, required
•Must hold current First Aid as per requirements of their SKGABC certification (i.e., Advanced Wilderness First Aid) and CPR-C. (First Aid certification must be equivalent to Standard First Aid with CPR C or higher)
•Experience working with children in an over-night or day camp, educational or recreational setting preferred
•Completed High School with post-secondary education/courses an asset
•A clean Police/RCMP Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening is required
•The YMCA-YWCA has implemented a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy requiring all staff and volunteers to be fully vaccinated (minimum 2 doses of vaccine).