Manager, Camp Life

ABOUT US

Help Bring Back the Joy of Childhood

Since 1983, Campfire Circle has delivered healing through happiness to thousands of kids with cancer or serious illness and their families across Ontario. Our programs are offered in paediatric hospitals across Ontario, in local communities, and at our medically supported overnight camps, offering year-round experiences that provide life-changing moments of joy, connection, and resilience.

And we’re just getting started. Today, over 40,000 kids in Ontario face serious illness, many without access to the psychosocial support they urgently need. That’s why we have a bold vision: to grow from serving 3,000 campers a year to 10,000. We’re building a passionate, talented team to help make that vision a reality. When you join Campfire Circle, you become an integral part of a dynamic team helping to transform the lives of thousands of kids with serious illness, alongside our dedicated community of volunteers and donors.

Help us give back the joy of childhood to every kid with serious illness who needs it most.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Director, Overnight Programs, the Manager, Camp Life will be accountable for planning, implementing, and overseeing an inclusive, engaging, accessible and camper-focused camp program and culture at Campfire Circle’s overnight programs. As an expert in behaviour management and inclusive programming/accessibility, they act as camp life subject matter expert across the organization including developing and executing training for staff/volunteers, as well as developing and leading the volunteer and camper support strategy at Muskoka.

The key accountabilities of the role include, but are not limited to:

Camper & Family Support:

• Ensure the safety and wellbeing of each camper and family at overnight programs.
• Oversee behaviour management and support for campers, and ensure that policies and practices are integrated into staff and volunteer trainings and day to day guidance.
• Review and update camper reports and profiles to support consistent behaviour support strategies in all programsyear-round.
• Develop and manage meaningful relationships with campers and families on behalf of the organization at all programs.
• Working closely with the Program leadership team, to manage and guide camper care and individual camper behaviour support strategies and plans.
• Contribute to on-going communications with all campers and families year-round.
• Communicate with camper families regarding serious behaviour or mental health concerns related to their children, including providing detailed, compassionate feedback and further resources where applicable.

Staff Management and Volunteer Support:

• Partner with the Overnight Program team and HR on recruitment and hiring for summer staff.
• Coach, mentor, and develop staff, including training, ongoing feedback and evaluations.
• Manage staff performance through regular check-ins, documentation, and leading goal setting and reviews.
• Foster positive employee relations and a healthy, safe, and wellness-oriented work environment.
• Collaborate with the Volunteer Management Team to support volunteer cultivation and development.
• Design and implement strategies to enhance the volunteer experience at camp; execute volunteer training, supervision, coaching, and on-site management.
• Develop and promote a healthy and safe work environment and overall wellness culture.

Training & Development:

• Develop training and resources on the topics of inclusion and accessibility, mental health, behaviour management, and other related topics.
• Actively participate as a leader at onsite summer staff training and All Volunteer Community Day.
• Collaborate across sites to ensure programs and training are aligned.
• Collaborate with external organizations and resources to enhance the camp's accessibility and inclusion practices.
• Monitor and implement policies and procedures to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants on site.

Overnight Program Administration

• Actively participate in the development and execution of inclusive programs and camper care.
• Manage camper registration, communication, and transportation.
• Manage camper enrollments to maximize participation while delivering meaningful and impactful experiences for all attendees.

Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by their Manager or their designate.

ABOUT YOU

Required Criteria:

1. Masters of Social Work, Bachelor’s degree in Education, or Post-secondary education in related field
2. Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NVCI), or similar certification or training
3. 3+ years leadership experience in the camping industry
4. Demonstrated ability to manage people
5. 3+ years of experience working with children with complex needs and considerations
6. Experience working with a volunteer population
7. Personable and able to develop a positive rapport with people with a range of experiences and professional backgrounds
8. Strong oral and written communication skills
9. Comfortable presenting to large groups and facilitating large group programs
10. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
11. Clear police reference check and vulnerable sector screening
12. Current G2 or G class driver’s license and the ability to be covered by camp’s insurance policy.

Advantageous Criteria:

1. Current CPR/First Aid/Mental Health First Aid Certification
2. Current Bronze Cross or NLS certification
3. Current and/or obtained certification in ACCT Level 1 or 2 (ropes course).

To support our commitment to a safe, caring environment for children with serious illnesses and their families, all staff must attest to having received their childhood vaccinations and confirm a negative result in a two-step Tuberculosis ("TB") testing series. Seasonal boosters against Influenza and the most recent circulating strain of COVID are strongly encouraged. All staff must provide an updated criminal record check or Vulnerable Sector Screening and be currently eligible to work in Canada and for Campfire Circle.

WORKING CONDITIONS

1. This role is based at our Toronto office, with a hybrid structure requiring 2-3 days in the office per week from September-May.
2. This position involves living at our campsite in Muskoka in the Summer (June through August) as well as some weekends in the fall and winter.
3. This position works in a variety of work settings including but not limited to: remote, open office setting, working outside for long periods of time in hot and cold weather conditions.
4. This position requires routine evenings and weekend commitments, a flexible schedule, and routine long-distance driving.
5. This position involves working in emotionally challenging environments and working with families in crisis.
6. In consideration of the population Campfire Circle serves, the incumbent is a non-smoker.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This position fills an existing vacancy and offers a starting salary of $74,000. Campfire Circle is invested in our staff’s health, wellness and career growth. As part of the total compensation package for this role, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, with premiums fully paid by the organization with the exception of Long Term Disability, including $4,000 annually for mental health practitioners, a wellness benefit up to $500 annually, an accelerated RRSP matching program up to 5% of base salary, paid vacation time plus a paid winter shutdown period up to eight days, flexible hybrid work arrangements, and on-going professional development.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send a resume and salary expectations to careers@campfirecircle.orgwith the email subject reading 2026002 – Manager, Camp Life.

Don’t meet every single requirement in this posting? Studies have shown that people of colour and individuals who are female identifying, are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification or requirement we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate!

AI tools may be utilized at any stage of recruitment for this role. This posting will remain open until filled. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. For more information about Campfire Circle, please visit www.campfirecircle.org - No phone calls please.

ACCESSIBILITY & DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

Campfire Circle is deeply committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve. We welcome applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous People from North America and around the world, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, and those who bring diverse perspectives and experiences. Our commitment is to provide equitable employment opportunities to all and to maintain a work environment free from discrimination and harassment.

We are equally committed to providing an inclusive and accessible workplace. Applicants requiring accommodations to access our job postings and apply for roles with our organization are invited to reach out to our HR Team at careers@campfirecircle.org or in a manner that fits their accessibility needs, and can trust that their application will be considered equitably for our available roles. Contact information for our HR Team is located on our website at https://campfirecircle.org/work-at-campfire-circle/, and more information about our accessibility commitments can be found at https://campfirecircle.org/about-campfire-circle/accessibility-at-campf….

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Campfire Circle acknowledges that we operate on the traditional territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples, and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

On this land, we are grateful to share the magic of camp with children and families, and we endeavour to create a community of joy, hope and healing. Acknowledging the land that we occupy is just one small step on the path towards Truth and Reconciliation.