YMCA Calgary Camp Chief Hector YMCA Summer Camp …€¦ · Camp Chief Hector YMCA is an award-winning outdoor center entering its 84th year. ... alcoholic beverages, other sleeping

YMCA Calgary Camp Chief Hector YMCA Summer Camp

CAMP CHIEF HECTOR YMCA EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES: SPRING/SUMMER 2014

Camp Chief Hector YMCA is an award-winning outdoor center entering its 84th year.

We fullfill high expectations.

We have a strong and dedicated staff team.

Over 30 staff have been awarded scholarships for their work: YMCA Tom Perkins

Memorial Scholarship, Ruth & Don Smillie Scholarships, Shader Kids Scholarships

Since 2011, over 60 staff have returned to work for between 3, 5, 7, 10 and 15 summers

Voted: 2012 Winner, Calgary’s Child Magazine, Best Summer Camp

Voted: 2012 Winner, Calgary Herald Readers Choice, Best Summer Camp

Stakeholders sharing their thoughts:

Classroom Teacher: “The entire camp experience was beyond expectation: the food, the

counsellors and the activities. Camp will be a memory that the students and staff will carry as a

highlight for the year; the impact of the camp will last with our students even longer.”

Parks Canada: “Camp Chief Hector has great leaders, with leadership styles very appropriate

for the campers. The campers are very fortunate to be exposed to this kind of experience.”

Churchill River Outfitters: “It is a great pleasure to work with the staff and campers from Camp

Chief Hector YMCA. The quality of your program is certainly evident in the quality of the staff

and campers I meet on trips.”

Working within this community is an earned satisfaction. Read about our 6 Workplace

Essentials (next page) BEFORE reviewing employment opportunities.


6 Workplace Essentials

Be sure you are able to thrive in an work environment that acts on these 6 Essentials.

1. Hard Work – Caring for eight young people, 24-hours a day, is work. It takes a lot of energy. We

wake up at approximately 7AM. We are in bed by 11PM. We assist campers during the night. We

know that during each day, many things are unpredictable. Things don’t always go our way. We are

mature and we accept this. We ask for support, and we carry on with our good work. Employment at

camp is a job that requires the ability to work through long days while demonstrating a positive and

selfless attitude.

2. Healthy Child Environments – The way we play and communicate is focused on the healthy

development of each camper. Healthy environments are creative, based on healthy relationships,

build responsible behaviour and allow space for individual thought and reflection. This takes self-

control and new learning. We accept this and we challenge ourselves to create enriched healthy child

environments. Working with our colleagues is a satisfying experience; our focus, however, remains

on the campers’ experience.

3. Professional-Learning – We know we have signed a contract and that we are at work for the YMCA.

We have a clear goal of creating experiences that the YMCA has set out for us to accomplish. We

ask for and accept constructive feedback and we implement it. We accept responsibility for our

actions, whether the outcome is pleasant or disappointing. We recongnize effort. We engage with the

big picture and the fine details of the YMCA’s goals.

4. Safety – The YMCA states which risks we will take on, and how we will manage these risks. We

honor all the stakeholders who are part of this arrangement. We provide and instruct the YMCA’s

safety standards, using the YMCA’s obligatory or recommended practices. The active, educated and

mature supervision of campers is our top priority. We do not leave campers unsupervised during the

day or the night. We are mentors in guided discovery.

5. Adaptation to Change – Our core values are honesty, caring, respect and responsibility. While these

values remain unchanging, we often change the programs with which we demonstrate these values.

We support positive developments that allow us to better experience our values. As well, we are

commited to providing counselling support: each summer, due to any number of situations, any staff

member may be asked to step in and counsel with enthusiasm a tipi group new to them.

6. Sense of Fun, Joy and Curiosity – At the base of our work, amidst hard work and learning, and at

points during both small and significant challenges, a successful staff member has a optimistic

perspective, and therefore a sense of fun. We are guiding children and youth as we discover the

natural world: collecting Saskatoon berries, playing forest games, swimming and singing. It’s recess

at school, in a wonderful setting, with interesting friends, made into a serious subject. A staff member

must find joy in caring for children outdoors – this is what brings the necessary optimism and energy.


Contract Details Contracts run seasonally and there are a wide variety of opportunities available at our site. Pay

varies from $120 - $350 a week for counselling and resource staff and is based on previous

experiences and qualifications. Room and board is included in Spring and Summer contracts.

All residential camp staff members provide 24-hour care to campers. Days off vary for specific

positions; generally, there is one day off per week, often by using the equivalent of one day per

week through time blocks off.

Spring Dates

Coordinators: April 23th – June 13th

Program Staff: April 267h – June 13th

Counselling Staff: April 29th – June 12th

Horse Staff*: April 25th – June 13rd

Summer Dates

Day Camp Staff: June 29 – August 1

Bowfort Camp Counsellors: June 29 – August 15

Hector 6-Day Camps Staff: June 29 – August 15

13-Day Mistaya Staff: June 28 – August 15

Kananaskin 12Y: June 27 - August 29

Bowfort Camper & Family Camp Staff: June 29 – August 29

Bowfort Family Camp (Only) Leaders: August 17 – August 29

Higher Ground, Waterfront, Health Centre, Outtripping, Craft Staff: June 27 - August 29

Kananaskin 13Y (Hike & Canoe), Horse Staff, Pioneer, Leadership: June 24 - August 29

Section and Program Area Directors: June 22 - August 30

During staff training week, July 4 is a full day off. Campers arrive for opening day July 6

Applications

See YMCA Calgary Job Board for available positions and for application instructions.


FAQ’s About Working and Living at Camp Chief Hector YMCA

Training Opportunities for Summer Job Certification Pre-requisites

During weekends in the spring, Camp Chief Hector provides registration in training courses:

Wilderness First Aid

Challenges Unlimited Inc. (high challenge course facilitation)

Waterfront Canoe Instructor

Paddle Alberta Basic River Instructor (Tandem)

Workshops in Backpacking, Canoeing and Outtripping equipment use.

Note: Certification is one piece in a skills-set that includes personal experience, professional

experience, judgment, interpersonal skills and certification. Course attenders please note that

certification alone does not provide a complete skills-set, though it is one essential feature of a

skills-set. Certification courses in past years commonly have a number of registered participants

who do not pass the courses and are therefore not able to continue in the job for which they had

been hired. Inform yourself of the course content and the passing requirements. Prepare

accordingly so that the course examines your established skills, as opposed to examining skills

that are still being acquired during the course (during the testing).

Tipi Living

During the spring and summer seasons, counselling and program staff live in tipis. Tipis have

floorboards, bunk beds, fire-pit in the middle. Bring sufficient bedding for cooler nights; see

“Weather”, below. Bring sufficient luggage to organize your clothing and gear neatly.

Spring and summer counselling staff live in tipis with their campers. Counsellors with the

Sunship Earth program in the spring and Bowfort staff in the summer may occasionally live in

cabins with their campers.

Resource staff, program staff, and support staff live in tipis with other staff members. Site

services staff members (kitchen and maintenance) live in indoor accommodations on site.

Towns near Camp Chief Hector YMCA

The town of Canmore is located 30 minutes (by car) west of the Camp Chief Hector YMCA. You

can find restaurants, laundromats, a hospital and medical clinics, grocery stores, sports stores

and many tourist shops. 20 minutes further west from Canmore, is the town of Banff in Banff

National Park. Calgary is a 60-minute drive east along the Trans-Canada Highway.

Getting to Work at the start of a Contract

There may be scheduled pickups in Canmore for you on the start date of your contract – see

Staff e-Newsletters for details. If you are flying to the Calgary International Airport, the shuttle

bus company (The Banff Airporter) makes regular trips to and from the Calgary Airport and

Canmore. Please do NOT arrive on-site early for your contract start date. Make your travel

arrangements accordingly.

http://www.banffairporter.com/


Laundry

There are coin-operated washers and dryers on site at camp. There are laundromats in

Canmore. With the facilities at camp, camper laundry always has priority over staff laundry. At

the laundromats in Canmore, several loads can be done at one time. At camp and at Canmore,

you provide your own soap and coins.

Phone calls and email

We have pay phones and landlines for staff members to use. A long distance phone card is

required. Phone calls can be made from site phones or personal cell phones only during time

off and only out of view of campers. There are two computers available at camp for staff to

check e-mail during time off. Staff members may use personal cell phones and laptop

computers on time off.

Zero-Tolerance Policy on smoking, alcohol, and drug use at camp

There is a zero-tolerance policy for tobacco use, alcohol and drugs. While you are at camp or

involved in a camp activity, our policy is that you will not use tobacco or consume alcohol or

drugs, nor be under their effects, nor have performance suffer by having used these products. If

you choose to use these products, or if you have any in your possession, your contract will be

terminated immediately.

Time -off

Days off work differently for each season at camp. Spring staff member have every Friday night

and weekend off. For summer staff, time off differs by section. With 6-Day camps, campers visit

from Sunday to Friday, and staff are off work Friday night and Saturday every week. With a two-

week program, campers visit from Sunday to the next Friday. Staff members working these

sections have every second Friday night and Saturday off. During the time that the campers are

visiting, staff members have 24 hours of time-off to take in two "blocks of time" that fit with the

section’s schedule. There will also be 24 hours during the session when a co-counsellor is on

time off. Staff members working 27-day or 56-day sessions will arrange time-off with their

supervisors.

Staff members may choose to be off-site or on-site during time-off. Canmore has a wide range

of accommodations, from campgrounds to hostels to hotels. Conditions of Employment remain

in effect if a staff member stays on-site for time-off. A one-way taxi from camp to Canmore is

$40.00 each way. We start on Sunday mornings at 8:00am for breakfast and finish at 3:30pm

on Fridays (5pm for Day Camp staff).

You are not allowed returning to camp on time off if you have had more than two drinks (you

need to legally be able to operate a motor vehicle). If you choose to drink more than two

alcoholic beverages, other sleeping arrangements need to be made.

When campers are on-site, one counsellor can leave the tipi each evening once campers are in

bed and enjoy some staff socializing/personal time from 9pm – 10:30pm. This extra time off


must take place on-site and only in the middle of the session (both counsellors need to be

present in the tipi on the first and last night of each session). Spring counsellors are single

staffed and remain in the tipi each night.

A Typical Day at Camp

7:30am Wake up, and Early Morning Club for those who would like to be active before

breakfast

8:15am Table setters - two members of each group go to the lodge to set their group’s table

8:15am Flag raising - groups gather around their section’s flagpole and sing O' Canada

8:30am Breakfast, introduced by a song of thanks

Morning Adventures!

12:15pm Table setters

12:30pm Lunch

Afternoon Adventures!

5:15pm Table setters

5:30pm Supper

6:45pm Freebies or Evening Activities – campers’ individual choice for a variety of activities

8:30pm Snack and Appreciations

9:30pm Campers Falling Asleep

9:30pm – 10:45pm Staff Time in Lodge – when possible, arranged with co-counsellor

11:00pm All Staff in Tipis

Helpful Links

Mountain Equipment Coop (outdoor clothing and equipment) www.mec.ca

The Hostel Bear (accommodation in Canmore) www.thehostelbear.com

Bow Valley Weather Reports Bow Valley Weather Forecast

Rocky Mountain Adventure Medicine (first aid course descriptions) www.adventuremed.ca

Banff Airporter (transportation from the airport to Canmore) www.banffairporter.com

Flying between Canadian cities: West Jet www.westjet.com; Air Canada www.aircanada.com

http://www.mec.ca/

http://www.thehostelbear.com/

http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/city/pages/ab-42_metric_e.html

http://www.adventuremed.ca/

http://www.banffairporter.com/

http://www.westjet.com/


Weather

The weather, land and waterways of the Rocky Mountains have their unique qualities that are

perhaps best summed up the word EXTREMES. The weather, winter OR summer (!) can be

very cold, cool, warm or very hot.

Winter temperatures can swing between -35º Celsius and +15º Celsius.

Summer temperatures can be as low as -5º Celsius and as high as +33º Celsius.

The weather can be very dry with a high UV index; there can be a great deal of precipitation –

either snow or rain. Snow occurs almost year-round, in spite of the high temperatures, and

blizzards are expected in May and June.

Springtime is usually the wettest season, so wet that the season is referred to as the “June

Monsoons” by land managers engaged in prescribed burns. Summer often experiences

afternoon thundershowers.

Staff members need to be prepared to work safely and effectively in all the conditions of this

region. Below, you will find a list of equipment necessary to accomplish this.

Above all else, a quality rain jacket and quality rain pants are absolutely necessary. Also

absolutely necessary are multiple sets of footwear, including quality wet-weather footwear.

Leaders at Camp Chief Hector YMCA model healthy outdoor clothing, regardless of their own

personal-time clothing systems for cold-wet weather.

For international staff coming to join us at Camp Chief Hector YMCA, previous staff members

have found that it costs significantly less to purchase outdoor equipment like sleeping bags and

quality rain gear in Canada. We recommend Mountain Equipment Coop where you can order

on-line and have it shipped to Camp to be waiting here for your arrival. Please feel free to

contact us if you have questions about this process. A link to Mountain Equipment Coop can be

found below.


Camp Counsellor Clothing and Equipment List (Non-specific to Overnight Adventures)

Quality rain jacket (waterproof), with hood

Quality rain pants (waterproof)

Multiple sets of footwear, including quality wet-weather footwear

Warm sleeping bag (a rating of -7 is recommended)

Pillow

Blanket (Bring a special/nice blanket to use at our Grand Council closing ceremony each

session)

Personal toiletries

2 towels (one for showering and one for swimming)

Warm clothes – long underwear tops and bottoms and wool/fleece clothing

Toque and mitts

Comfortable camp clothing: pants, shorts, t-shirts, socks, pajamas, long sleeved shirts,

underwear, etc. (Do not bring clothing with alcohol or offensive slogans, or clothing that

may be considered too revealing)

Bathing suit

Comfortable shoes to walk around in: running or hiking shoes, sandals

Sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm and effective sun hat

At least one water bottle

Flashlight or headlamp

Lighter

Day pack

Hiking pack 60-80L (we have some to lend out but recommend bringing your own)

Children’s story books for bedtime

A Rubbermaid bin for personal storage in the tipi (waterproof)


SPRING POSITIONS (all staff must be a minimum of 18 years of age for spring work):

Hector Spring School or Sunship Earth Counsellor April 29th – June 12th

Counsellors for both of these programs work with school students in Grades 5 and 6. Both

programs include games and initiatives, exploring the natural area around camp, and taking

care of the students during the day and at night while they are at outdoor school. These

counsellors are required to have a Standard First Aid and CPR 'C' certification.

Outdoor Experiential School Counsellor April 29th – June 12th

The Outdoor Experiential School program focuses on developing leadership and teamwork

skills in Junior High and High School aged students in the outdoors. Counsellors facilitate this

through activities such as team-building initiatives, elements at the high ropes course, hiking,

canoeing, and working with horses. These staff members are required to have a Wilderness

First Aid (minimum 24 hour course) and CPR 'C' certification. A Waterfront and/or Moving Water

Canoe Instructor certification is highly recommended.

Coordinators April 23th – June 13th and Program Staff April 27th – June 13th

All three spring programs are led by a coordinator with the help of program staff. These staff

members support counsellors, students, teachers, and parents and are role models in the camp

community. Coordinators and program staff have had many seasons of camp experience and

are required to have a minimum of a Standard First Aid and CPR ‘C’ certification. For

coordinators and program staff working with the Outdoor Experiential School program, priority is

given to applicants with a Waterfront and/or Moving Water Canoe Instructor certification and/or

a challenge course facilitator certification, or applicants willing to obtain the necessary

certifications before the start date of the contract.

Outdoor Program Support Staff April 12th – June 23rd (start and end dates can be flexible)

These staff work a four to five day work week supporting the various weekend programs.

Outdoor Program Staff have a dynamic skill set to work with a wide variety of clients.

Contact Steve MacDonald for more information [email protected].

Kitchen Staff April 27th – June 13th*

Camp Chief Hector YMCA offers a variety of positions in the food services department. Kitchen

staff help to prepare food, bake, clean work stations and serve three meals per day to groups

ranging from 100 - 600 people. These positions are paid with an hourly wage. Kitchen staff live

in indoor accommodations. Preferred spring kitchen staff also work a summer contract.

mailto:[email protected]


SUMMER POSITIONS (All staff must be a minimum of 18 years of age, or turning 18 in 2013)

For more information on each age-group, it is very helpful to review the ‘Camp

Descriptions’ on the main page of the Camp Chief Hector YMCA website.

Day Camp Counsellor

Day Camp Counsellors are based out of our Bowfort Lodge. Day Camp campers (aged 7-10)

are escorted by these staff to and from Canmore each day on a school bus. While at camp,

these staff members are responsible for facilitating programming, caring for campers, and

supporting our residential camp programs in the evening. Staff members must be willing and

capable of receiving and acting on growth feedback. These staff may have the opportunity to

join our residential camp team after the Day Camp Counsellor contract is complete at the end of

July. All staff must have a Standard First Aid and CPR 'C' certification and must be over 18

years of age at the start of the contract.

For more information on the responsibilities of Day Camp Counsellors, it is helpful to review the

‘Day Camp Description’ on the main page of the Camp Chief Hector YMCA website.

Bowfort Counsellor

Bowfort counsellors lead groups of campers aged 7-11 who come to camp for 6-day sessions.

These staff enthusiastically lead residential campers in all activities and care for the individual

and group needs of the children. Most residential camp groups participate in an overnight

campout. Enthusiasm for leading camping adventures with young children is beneficial. Staff

members must be willing and capable of receiving and acting on growth feedback. Bowfort

Counsellors may have the opportunity to extend their contracts for the last two weeks of August

to join us as Family Camp Leaders. All staff must have a Standard First Aid and CPR 'C'

certification.

For more information on the responsibilities of Bowfort Counsellors, it is helpful to review the

‘Chiniquay and 6-Day Mistaya Camp Description’ on the main page of the Camp Chief Hector

YMCA website.


Family Camp Leader

Family Camp Leaders are returning staff with several seasons of experience working at Camp

Chief Hector YMCA. Staff members must be willing and capable of receiving and acting on

growth feedback. These staff members join us for our last two weeks of camp to facilitate

program areas, lead hikes, care for young children and provide outstanding customer

service. Standard First Aid and CPR 'C' required.

For more information on the responsibilities of Family Camp Counsellors, it is helpful to review

the ‘Family Camp Description’ on the main page of the Camp Chief Hector YMCA website.

Hector 6 Day Camps Counsellor

All 6 day Kananaskin camps (campers aged 12-13) based near Hector Lodge have their own

staff team and section director. This section does not go on an overnight backpacking trip.

Campers in this section go on a full day hike. Staff members in this section are enthusiastic to

explore the local area during day-hikes. Staff members are enthusiastic to help campers feel

great about hiking and exploring. Staff members must be willing and capable of receiving and

acting on growth feedback. Standard First Aid and CPR ‘C’ required.

For more information on the responsibilities of Hector 6 Day Camp Counsellors, review the

‘Hector 6 Day Camp Description’ on the main page of the Camp Chief Hector YMCA website.

Mistaya Counsellor

The Mistaya section is for campers aged 10-11 who come to camp for 6-day and 13-day

sessions. Mistaya Counsellors energetically lead many in-camp activities and games. Mistaya

counsellors also lead a three-day backpacking trip. Mistaya campers are young and often new

to camp, therefore, counsellors are particularly attentive to each camper. Overnight backpacking

experience and experience working with children are very beneficial to this position. The

overnight backpacking trips are conducted on-site and are check-on often by backpacking

specialists. Staff members must be willing and capable of receiving and acting on growth

feedback. Standard First Aid (minimum 16 hour) and CPR 'C' certification is required.

For more information on the responsibilities of 13-Day Mistaya Counsellors, it is helpful to

review the ’13-Day Mistaya Camp Description’ on the main page of the Camp Chief Hector

YMCA website.


Kananaskin Counsellor: 12-Y Campers & 13-Y Horse Program Campers

Kananaskin counsellors are leaders for groups of 12-year-old campers who come to camp for

13-days. Campers participate in a 3-day backpacking trip, a day-long horse program, and a day-

long river canoe experience. Horse Staff and Canoe Staff lead the horse and river-trip

programs, with assistance from counsellors. Counsellors lead the three-day backpacking trips.

Backpacking trips are conducted within 15 km of camp, leaving and returning to site on-foot.

Counsellors must be prepared to lead trips during difficult weather, such as cold and heavy or

prolonged rain. (Training for the backpacking trip is provided during Pre-Camp Staff Training.)

Enthusiasm for leading children on child-oriented outdoor backpacking trips is very beneficial to

this position. Staff members must be willing and capable of receiving and acting on growth

feedback. Kananaskin 12-Y and 13-Y Horse Program counsellors must have a Wilderness First

Aid (minimum 24 hour course) and CPR 'C' certification.

For more information on the responsibilities of Kananaskin 12-Y Camp Counsellors, it is helpful

to review the ‘Kananaskin 12-Y Camp Description’ on the main page of the Camp Chief Hector

YMCA website.

Kananaskin 13-Y Hike/Canoe Counsellor

Campers in these programs choose between a 5-day hike or a 5-day canoe trip. Kananaskin

counsellors are involved in a variety of in-camp activities and games. Importantly, these Hike

and Canoe counsellors have some outtripping experience, either from backpacking trips in the

Rocky Mountains and/or from leading canoe trips. Canoe counsellors have minimally a Paddle

Alberta Level 1 Tandem Moving Water Instructor certification (or equivalent). Backpacking

counsellors will have experience leading overnight outtrips with campers and backpacking on

their own. Staff members must be willing and capable of receiving and acting on growth

feedback. Wilderness First Aid (minimum 40 hour course) and CPR 'C' certification is required.

Counsellors are examined on their skills and judgment during staff training. Non-pass staff

members will be re-assigned if possible. See details below: OT Pre-Requisites.

For more information on the responsibilities of 13-Y Kananaskin Counsellors, review the ’13-Y

Kananaskin Hike and Canoe Camp Descriptions’ on the Camp Chief Hector YMCA website.


Main Site Pioneer Hike Counsellor

Pioneer hike counsellors lead groups of 14-15 year-old campers who come to camp for 13-day

sessions. These groups are based out of our main site. During each session, counsellors lead a

7-day or 8-day backpacking trip. Counsellors also lead many in-camp activities. Applicants have

experience leading multi-day backpacking trips in the Rocky Mountains. Staff members must be

willing and capable of receiving and acting on growth feedback. Wilderness First Aid (minimum

40 hour course) and CPR 'C' is required.



For more information on the responsibilities of Main Site Pioneer Hike Counsellors, review the

‘Pioneer Main Site Hike Description’ on the Camp Chief Hector YMCA website.

Pioneer Canoe Counsellor June 27th - August 30th

Pioneer canoe counsellors lead groups of 14-15 year-old campers who come to camp for 13-

day sessions. These groups are based out of our main site. Pioneer canoe counsellors lead and

participate in many in-camp activities.

Pioneer canoe counsellors lead groups of 14 or 15 year old youth on 5 or 7 day river canoe trips

on the North Saskatchewan River and the Red Deer River (though the Badlands), respectively.

Applicants have experience leading river canoeing trips. All canoe leaders have, minimally,

Paddle Alberta Basic River Instructor (Tandem) certification (or equivalent). Staff members must

be willing and capable of receiving and acting on growth feedback. Wilderness First Aid

(minimum 40 hour course) and CPR 'C' certification is required.



For more information on the responsibilities of Pioneer Canoe Counsellors, it is helpful to review

the ‘Pioneer Canoe Description’ on the main page of the Camp Chief Hector YMCA website.


Gray Jay Pioneer and Senior Shotungwa Counsellor

Gray Jay Pioneer programs are for 14-15 year old youth who come to camp for 13-day

sessions. These programs are based out of Camp Chief Hector YMCA’s small ‘Gray Jay’ site

(75 campers and staff), 80km west of Sundre, AB, in Yaha Tinda. Gray Jay is a 3.5 hour drive

from either Calgary or the CCHYMCA main-site. Throughout the summer, these counsellors will

be involved with the Pioneer hike option, the Pioneer hike/horse option, and the Senior

Shotungwa option (a horse-focused program, similar to the Pioneer hike/horse option). Horse

Staff join the Pioneer counsellors to deliver the horse-related program. Gray Jay staff members

have experience leading multi-day backpacking trips with youth. Experience and enthusiasm in

working with horses in a youth program is also valuable. Staff members must be willing and

capable of receiving and acting on growth feedback. All staff must have a Wilderness First Aid

(minimum 40 hour course) and CPR 'C' certification.



For more information on the responsibilities of Gray Jay Pioneer and Senior Shotungwa

Counsellors, it is helpful to review the ‘Gray Jay Pioneer and Senior Shotungwa Description’ on

the main page of the Camp Chief Hector YMCA website.


Leadership I Counsellor – Hike/Horse at Gray Jay, Churchill River Canoe

Leadership I programs are 27-day long programs for 16 year old youth. Leadership I programs

focus on sharing and instructing backcountry leadership skills. Leadership I counsellors have

significant experience leading youth on relatively remote backcountry adventures, with positive

references for their work. Staff members must be willing and capable of receiving and acting on

growth feedback. All staff must have a Wilderness First Aid (minimum 40 hour course) and

CPR 'C' certification.

Leadership I Hike/Horse

Focused on leadership development, the Hike/Horse program is based out of the Gray Jay site

in Yaha Tinda, 3.5 hours north of both CCHYMCA main-site and Calgary. This co-ed program

includes a 4-day introductory backpacking trip, 4 days of horse program (Horse Staff join the

Leadership I counsellors to deliver the horse-related program) and a culminating 10-day

Backpacking trip. Experience with multi-day backpacking is essential. Experience and

enthusiasm in working with horses in a youth program is valuable.

Leadership I Churchill River Canoe

Focused on leadership development, this program begins at the Camp Chief Hector YMCA

main-site, with route-building, food/gear packing and canoeing skills-building (flat-water and

moving-water). The program then travels by bus to Missinipe, SK, where they depart on an 18-

day canoe trips across the lakes and portages of the Churchill River region. Leadership I Canoe

is a single-gender program. There is one girls group and one boys group. All canoe leaders

have as a canoeing certification, minimally, Paddle Alberta Basic River Instructor (Tandem)

certification (or equivalent). Leaders require, minimally, a Bronze Cross Lifesaving award.

Leadership I counsellors are examined on their skills and judgment during staff training. Non-

pass staff members will be re-assigned if possible. See details below: OT Pre-Requisites.

For more information on the responsibilities of Leadership I Counsellors, review the ‘Leadership

I Horse/Hike and Leadership I Canoe Descriptions’ on the Camp Chief Hector YMCA website.


Health Centre Staff

Health Centre staff provide a professional and caring approach to the health of both campers

and staff. This staff team also focuses on the prevention of illness and injuries. Health Center

staff members administer camper medications, maintain professional records, and correspond

professionally with families and with our health care partners. Staff members must be willing

and capable of receiving and acting on growth feedback. These staff members must have at

least a Standard First Aid and CPR 'C' certification and a commitment to camper care.

Horse Staff

Members of the horse staff team lead half-day and day-long arena and trail rides for campers

and counsellors in horse programs as well as for campers and staff in regular programs that

include a one-day horse experience. All horse staff will rotate between these roles. Along with

leading rides, other duties include helping care for individual and herd health and completing

daily chores. In the Jr. and Sr. Shotungwa programs, horse staff will be directly co-counselling

the group of campers and teach horsemanship skills, taking on all the responsibilities of a

counsellor, involved in all other aspects of camp with the group. Enthusiasm for counselling is

an essential skill for members of the Horse Staff team. Horse programs are based out of the

main site and the Gray Jay camp (3.5 hours north of main-site, in Yaha Tinda). Staff members

must be willing and capable of receiving and acting on growth feedback. Main site horse staff

must have a Standard First Aid and CPR 'C' certification.

NOTE: Gray Jay horse staff require a Wilderness First Aid (minimum 24 hour course) and CPR

'C' certification.

Sac Dene Counsellor

Sac Dene is our summer-long canoe trip and counselling experience for 17 year old co-ed

youth. Focusing on leadership development, the Sac Dene group travels north to paddle the

Mackenzie River, visiting communities along the way. Sac Dene participants, as part of the

Leaders-in-Training program, return to Camp Chief Hector YMCA to become part of the

counselling team for the final two weeks of the summer. Sac Dene leaders have significant

experience leading youth on outdoor adventures as well as with youth leadership development.

Sac Dene leaders have as a canoeing certification, minimally, Paddle Alberta Basic River

Instructor (Tandem) certification (or equivalent). Leaders require, minimally, a Bronze Cross

Lifesaving award. Sac Dene leaders must have a Wilderness First Aid (minimum 40 hour

course) and CPR 'C' certification. For more information on the responsibilities of Sac Dene

counsellors, it is helpful to review the ‘LIT and Sac Dene Descriptions’ on the main page of the

Camp Chief Hector YMCA website. Contact [email protected] for more information.



Lifeguard

The Lifeguard provides supervision and leadership at the 12m by 6m pool at Bowfort Lodge at

Camp Chief Hector YMCA. The lifeguard is expected to provide the safety and supervision

required to meet and exceed industry and YMCA Calgary standards. Typically, the pool is

visited by 16 campers and 4 staff members at a time. During the morning swim, the number is

higher, with a maximum of 48 visitors in the pool. The lifeguard will have the opportunity to work

with a variety of youth, all with varying skills and abilities. Staff members must be willing and

capable of receiving and acting on growth feedback. The successful candidate will be motivated

and flexible, and have a current NLS certification with Standard First Aid and CPR ‘C’.

Higher Ground Staff

Higher Ground staff members facilitate experiences for campers at the high ropes course, team

swing element, flying squirrel element, Bowfort climbing tower, and Hector climbing tower.

Higher Ground staff members are enthusiastic about campers’ efforts. Higher Ground staff

members are patient, polite and empathetic. Higher Ground staff are not necessarily focused on

or experienced in challenging technical climbing. Rather, the Higher Ground staff are focused

on the positive culture of the High Ropes facilities and on the daily set-up, take-down and

maintenance of the High Ropes facilities. Higher Ground staff members eat meals with tipi

groups, assist camper groups during transition times, facilitate early morning and evening

activities, and may expect to be called to be a counsellor for one session at some stage during

the summer. Staff members must be willing and capable of receiving and acting on growth

feedback. These staff members must have a Standard First Aid and CPR 'C' certification.

Waterfront Staff

Waterfront staff members facilitate the canoeing and SUP’ing on Chilver Lake. Waterfront staff

members must be capable of maintaining policies and standards set by the YMCA and the

camping industry. Just as importantly, Waterfront staff members share well-developed paddling

skills, excellent safety judgment and, importantly, a great joy in learning to paddle and in

exploring the various waterfront environments. While at the waterfront, staff members work with

counsellors to teach campers various canoeing skills, waterfront safety, proper gear usage and

care, voyageur canoeing, SUP’ing as well as supervising waterfront games, activities and

swimming. Waterfront staff members eat meals with tipi groups, assist camper groups during

transition times, facilitate early morning and evening activities, and may expect to be called to

be a counsellor for one session at some stage during the summer. Staff members must be

willing and capable of receiving and acting on growth feedback. A Standard First Aid

certification is required along with a Waterfront Canoe Instructor certification and an NLS.


Camp Craft and The Camp Craft staff members are part of an experienced team that engages campers in

natural history with hands-on and exciting skills. Preferred Camp Craft applicants have been

counsellors for several years and have taken workshops or certification courses in natural

history. Activities that the camp craft staff members lead and supervise include the following:

nature walks, edible wilds, making toys and tools with wild material, building tinder-bundles,

natural fire-making, atlatl throwing, walking stick carving, making natural tea, and baking outtrip

foods such as pies and bannock. Other crafts projects include, but are not limited to, the

following: sketching and painting, whittling and carving, collecting natural materials for projects

such as dream-catchers, crocheting and sewing and bracelets. Staff members must be willing

and capable of receiving and acting on growth feedback. Camp Craft staff members eat meals

with tipi groups, assist camper groups during transition times, facilitate early morning and

evening activities, and may expect to be called to be a counsellor for one session at some stage

during the summer. These staff must have a Standard First Aid and CPR 'C' certification.

Adventure Playground Leaders & Children’s Garden Instructors

The Adventure Playground Leaders facilitate the activities at Canada’s first and only Adventure

Playground. At the Adventure Playground, campers and staff construct small, medium and large

construction projects. Participants paint, build, create and manipulate the materials of the

Adventure Playground into safe, sturdy and creative installations. Experience with constructions

or engineering is an asset. This staff team also supervises and facilitates creative and child-

focused action at the Children’s Garden program. Adventure Playground Leaders have been

counsellors for several years. Staff members must be willing and capable of receiving and

acting on growth feedback. Adventure Playground staff members eat meals with tipi groups,

assist camper groups during transition times and facilitate early morning and evening activities.

This position requires a Standard First Aid and CPR ‘C’ certification.


Outtripping Staff

The Outtripping Centre is the base for packing outtrips (backpacking and canoe trips) and for

cleaning up and returning gear after outtrips. Outtripping staff members supply outtripping

equipment to groups and assist with packing outtrip food. Outtripping staff members re-

inventory and organize equipment and food, repair equipment, pre-pack food, clean the

Outtripping Centre and maintain a work-site that reflects professional food-safe practices and

professional driving standards. Outtripping staff must be able to drive the vans and trucks-with-

trailers that shuttle groups to and from trip destinations. Outtripping experience (backcountry

travel leading youth groups) is an asset, providing flexibility in the role, including assisting with

walk-out evacuations, bringing extra equipment to groups and checking outtrip sites. Staff

members must be willing and capable of receiving and acting on growth feedback. Outtripping

staff must have a Standard First Aid and CPR 'C' certification. Drivers must provide a Driver's

Abstract and have taken a Defensive Driving course or have a valid Class 4 license.

Section and Program Area Directors

Section Directors, Program Area Directors and Assistant Directors are leaders and role models

in the camp community. Directors work closely with, and are supervised by, the Full-time Camp

Directors. Directors may supervise between 6 and 40 staff members. They are able to act as a

professional liaison between the camp and its families. Section and Area Directors eat meals

with tipi groups, assist groups during transition times, support early morning and evening

activities, support camper needs, lead tipi groups in many situations, make parent phone calls

and evaluate counsellors. Section and Area Directors must be willing and capable of receiving

and acting on growth feedback. Section Directors have a minimum of a Standard First Aid and

CPR ‘C’.

Kananaskin, Mid-Camp (Pioneer and Leadership) Directors

Wilderness First Aid (minimum 40 hour course) and CPR 'C' certification is required. The

preferred applicant will have a Paddle Alberta Basic River Instructor (Tandem) certification as

well as experience leading youth on overnight backpacking and/or canoe trips.

Higher Ground Director

Challenges Unlimited Inc. Level II High Challenge Course certification, or equivalent is required.


Outtripping Director

Excellent and proven organizational skills and communication skills are essential. Wilderness

First Aid (minimum 40 hour course) and CPR 'C' certification is required. The preferred

applicant will have a Paddle Alberta Basic River Instructor (Tandem) certification as well as

experience leading youth on overnight backpacking and/or canoe trips. Must provide a clear

Driver’s Abstract (less than 3 demerits, dependable driving history) and have taken a Defensive

Driving course or have a valid Class 4 license.

Summer Camp Seasonal Maintenance

The Seasonal Maintenance staff works directly with the summer camp department and reports

to the Camp Director. This position will complete tasks such as: repairing canoes, painting and

staining buildings, small carpentry projects, tipi maintenance and creative projects.

This staff member will live in a tipi with other resource staff and will be expected to work

residential camp hours. The Summer Camp Seasonal Maintenance staff member will eat meals

with tipi groups, assist groups during transition times, and help to facilitate early morning and

evening activities and may expect to be called to be a counsellor for one session at some stage

during the summer. The staff member must be willing and capable of receiving and acting on

growth feedback. A Standard First Aid and CPR ‘C’ certification is required, as well as a clean

drivers abstract and a full license.

For more information please contact Doug Saul [email protected].

Gray Jay Cook

The Gray Jay Cook manages food services at the Gray Jay site, a 3.5-hour drive north of Camp

Chief Hector YMCA. This position requires a high level of organization, creativity, motivation

and work ethic, and a keen interest in living and cooking at a remote, off-grid site. Staff

members must be willing and capable of receiving and acting on growth feedback. A Standard

First Aid and CPR ‘C’ certification is required, as well as a valid Food-Safe certification.

Kitchen Staff

Camp Chief Hector YMCA is looking to fill a variety of positions in our food services

department. Kitchen staff help Cooks to prepare food, bake, clean work stations and serve

three meals per day to groups ranging from 100 - 600 people. These positions are paid with an

hourly wage and kitchen staff live in indoor accommodations.



Outtripping Pre-requisites

The following are standard introductory outdoor leadership skills and equipment lists that will be

checked on the FIRST day of Pre-Camp Staff Training. They are not particularly advanced or

specialized. The skills need to be easily performed under pressure. During a typical day of work,

though unlikely, it may happen that just this sort of situation will arise: the need to perform these

skills easily, in challenging and stressful situations. Outtripping Pre-requisites are tests to

ensure that staff members are performing tasks that will keep campers and themselves safe

and pleased with their experiences.

Outtripping Pre-requisite lists are for the following section counsellors:

13-Y Kananaskin Canoe & Hike

Pioneer

Leadership

For applicants and staff members, being checked or examined for items on the lists should

provide a sense of reassurance, much like how climbing partners insist on harness checks of

their own harnesses before each climb. If, on the other hand, being checked or examined

creates a feeling of being untrusted or if there is a sense that items are unnecessary, then work

in these areas is not a fit. Outtrips during the summer are checked on by supervisory camp staff.

Trip leaders who operate well with this system view these checks as essential for professional

growth, for safety and to have their work valued.

Note that staff members must come to camp prepared for staff training that includes working in

managed “non-normal” situations. These are situations that, while not normal, may be

reasonably expected to occur during the course of work. Examples that will certainly be part of

staff training exams include the following: becoming lost, setting up tents and tarps in a cold

downpour, working alone (co-counsellor is injured or ill), responding to emergencies in the

middle of the night, handling very difficult behavior and (for canoe counsellors) escaping

entrapment and rescues in rough/cold water.


Equipment & Clothing to be Checked at the Beginning of Pre-Camp Staff Training

o Waterproof rain jacket (including

hood)

o Quality waterproof rain pants

o Sun hat with effective shade brim

o Warm toque

o Footwear that is (a) comfortable for

multi-day backpacking, and (b)

waterproof

o Extra set of comfortable day-hiking

footwear

o Synthetic/wool long underwear tops

o Synthetic/wool long underwear

bottoms

o Synthetic/wool jacket, such as a

‘pile’ jacket (able to be shaken dry if

wetted)

o Synthetic/wool socks (2 pair)

o 30’ (10m) of strong cord

o Folding knife with quality/tested can

opener

o Quality lighter in working condition

o Sunscreen, SPF 40 or higher

o Lip balm (with SPF 15 or higher)

o Extra synthetic/wool long underwear

top

o Extra synthetic long underwear

bottom

o Synthetic long pants

o Synthetic long sleeve shirt (‘pile’

sweater)

o Gaiters (Pioneer & Leadership)

o Personal repair kit with, minimally:

multi-tool, pencil wrapped in duct

tape, needle and thread, one extra

waist belt buckle set

o Canoe staff: PFD, paddle, river

shoes

o In addition, for Red Deer Canoe

staff: broad-brimmed sun hat

(covers nose), long sleeved shirt

(light weave and light colour –

cotton), long pants (light weave

and light colour – cotton)

10 Outdoor Living Skills to be Checked at the Beginning of Pre-Camp Staff Training

1. 5 Knots: Bowline, alpine butterfly, taut-line hitch, two half-hitches on a bight, clove hitch

2. Fire: Build a fire from rain-wet forest tinder in less than 20 minutes

3. Tent Peg #1: Find and safely prepare an effective natural tent/tarp peg (usually a stick)

4. Tent Peg #2: Put into the ground an effective natural tent/tarp peg so that, while staking out

a tent/tarp cord, it will stay in its place during very strong winds or heavy rain or heavy

snows

5. Tarp: Set up a taut and effective a-frame tarp (10 by 12 feet), using a ridge-line and all of the

5 knots listed

6. Cook-site: Set up a cook-site, according to the Outtripping Cook-site Rules (for details, see

link on-line on the Camp Chief Hector YMCA website: Outtripping Handbook)

7. Packing a Backpack: Pack a multi-day backpack, using the ABCC’s of proper packing:

Accessibility, Balance, Compression and Comfort; also, using effectively stabilizing straps

8. Locating positions: Locate position within 300m from a variety of locations

9. Compass: Declinate a compass, then orient a map with the declinated compass

10. Camp-stove Operation: Operate and do light repairs on an MSR Whisperlite / MSR

Dragonfly, according to the manufacturer’s specifications

Outdoor Leadership & Interpersonal Skills to be Checked during Pre-Camp Staff Training

o Enjoys strenuous physical outdoor activity in a wide variety of conditions

o Empathetic and encouraging to those for whom outdoor activity is very strenuous

o Able to be positive, adaptable and helpful when physical activity and environmental

situations become challenging, for instance: cold and wet, or hot and high U-V, mosquitoes,

heavy loads, hungry, tired, etc.

o Able to be positive and helpful when interpersonal concerns arise within a Pre-Camp staff

group

o Able to provide accurate and appropriate peer critical feedback

o Able to provide accurate self-awareness assessments

Preparing for the Outtripping Certification Course: Backpack Leader or Canoe Leader

Review the course content from the certification course that pertains to your application and

become proficient at all the criteria, using the Outtripping Leaders Handbook, as a guide.

Camp Chief Hector Backpack Leader and Camp Chief Hector YMCA Canoe Leader certification

course content and exam criteria will be posted in November on the Camp Chief Hector YMCA

website.

Integrate individual skills into a culture of leadership characterized by the Camp Chief Hector

YMCA’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective Outdoor Leaders (see below). Internalize these

habits within your value system, so that acting on these habits, and adapting them to the

situation so that it is best for the group, becomes a natural and automatic action.

Seven Habits of Highly Effective Outdoor Leaders

When these actions have become habits, an outdoor overnight trip is likely to be a great success, regardless of the unpredictable events that are inherent during outdoor adventures

1. PM Prep

Night before meeting with co-counsellor (and with the two camper Leaders of the Day [LOD]) a. Establish route AND details of first part of route b. Review goals and objectives for the next day – re-state the plan c. Establish wake-up time (and kitchen staff), based on a 3-hour breaking camp and the

day’s objectives d. Review expectations for LOD’s e. LOD’s will then review the next day’s plan for the rest of the group, including

delegating roles if useful

2. Wake Up Well

Wake-up of ONE counsellor (predetermined) and the TWO camper kitchen-staff: a. 5:30 AM – 7:15 AM (give three hours for breaking camp; back-up timing of your day

to determine wake-up time) b. Kitchen Staff pack their own sleeping bags and personal gear, leave their tents and

go to the cook-site to begin breakfast, hot drink and lunch preparations c. Others (“tent group”) wake up 15 minutes later, and pack all their gear, with help

from other counsellor d. Tent group make gear piles and bring them to the cook-site where breakfast is

served and food will then be divided with gear piles

3. Cook-site

One Staff, Two Campers – set up like Hector Kitchen Systems: a. Clear border between kitchen staff and non-kitchen staff; with ample space b. Organized food prep area c. Serving AWAY from food prep area, eating as a group d. Dishes cleaned right away after the meal (hot water put on during the meal); tubs

(etc.) cleaned as soon as they are empty e. Bear-Smart throughout

4. Lead & Sweep (“like a grilled cheese sandwich” – it sticks together)

Establish and maintain lead-sweep throughout day: a. Staff member in Lead, staff member in Sweep (LOD camper may be in lead-sweep

positions, within 10 meters of staff member, if no significant hazard is present-or-imminent

b. When lead and sweep get out-of-order, notice this and re-establish lead and sweep c. Keep a 30-second paddle-or-jog to any camper; or, measure this distance using a

talking voice volume (not yelling) d. Frequent shoulder checks to maintain quality spacing

5. Day-Hike Campsite

Tidy and effective – a shining example that won’t be broken, blown-down or torn-up upon return a. Only two tents standing (tarps taken down, ridgelines left up) b. All bedding stuffed and packed c. All extra gear packed into packs being left behind d. Tarps checked and, if prudent, taken down or re-rigged for high-winds or heavy rain

6. Campsite Sweep – AM-PM

Campsite Sweep, last task of day (with LOD’s if applicable) a. Check and secure food outside the vaults-lockers b. Check and bring into tarp-or-tent clothing or gear lying around c. Count heads

7. Comfort

Cares for the on-going comfort of campers and self a. The leader changes into the correct (and role-model) clothing, and sees that

everyone else does so as well; does not wait until the wet-cold-hot-UV has begun to sink in before changing into the correct clothing

b. Takes boots-off breaks at regular intervals, giving campers the signal that there is sufficient time to take off boots, examine feet, and provide proper foot care

c. Checks campers clothing choices frequently; checks for comfort with campers individually and as a (group silent/eyes-closed survey); refuels (water and food) regularly, or more frequently if the mood or weather indicate it

YMCA Calgary Camp Chief Hector YMCA Summer Camp …€¦ · Camp Chief Hector YMCA is an award-winning outdoor center entering its 84th year. ... alcoholic beverages, other sleeping

Documents