Employment Opportunities

How can I apply? 

Staff applicants can submit an application through our online staff applications portal.

See steps below.

When is the summer season?

For regular staff, summer camp begins with our Pre-camp training week, beginning on June 21st, 2026, and goes until August 28th, 2026. Some exceptions may be made for high school exams, important family events, and other exceptional circumstances.

Do summer camp staff have to live at the camp for the whole summer? What is it like? 

All of our summer camp staff live on site at the camp for the entirety of the summer season. Living on site is essential to providing round-the-clock childcare and to creating the community atmosphere we strive for. Living on site is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Staff live either in camper cabins (if cabin counsellors) or in a staff cabin shared with other members of the staff team. All our staff cabins are equipped with electricity and air conditioning. Living at the camp is a great chance to build community, step outside your comfort zone, and make lifelong friendships and connections. Through spending your summer at the camp, you get to experience the beauty and joy of living a life connected to a close-knit community and the great outdoors. Staff must be committed to living at the camp for the summer to be considered for a position.

How competitive is hiring? 

Competitiveness for staff positions varies year to year, and depends on the specific position being applied for. Applying does not guarantee a position on staff for the 2026 season.

What certifications do I need to have? 

All staff need to hold a current copy of Standard First Aid and a clear Police Check. Applicants are more competitive if they hold additional certifications such as National Lifeguard, CUI Ropes Certifications, Mental Health First Aid, Swim Instructor Certifications, Wilderness Advanced First Aid, and other certifications demonstrating experience in a relevant field.

What are the hours like? How do days off work?

A day in the life of a camp staff member can vary day-to-day and is dependent on their role. Staff can expect to have some periods off on a given day, but will spend the majority of their time in a day engaging with the campers, the community, and camp programming. Every staff member is entitled to one day off per week, which they can request in advance. Staff in our Day Camp departments have their weekend off.

What is the pay? 

Pay for our roles varies by position. Counsellor positions begin at $1,100 for the summer of work (9 weeks), specialist positions begin at $2,185 for the summer of work (9.5 weeks), and senior staff positions begin at $5,000 for the summer of work (10 weeks). For inquiries about pay ranges and rates for specific positions, please reach out to gemma@campkawartha.ca

1. Go to the portal: https://campkawartha.campbrainstaff.com

2. Create your account: Under “New User Sign Up”, create a new account to access the staff application portal.

3. Choose the correct application: Where it says “Start a New Application,” scroll down to select “New Staff Application” and click the green “Click to Apply.”

4. Complete your personal information to get started.

5. Apply for all positions at once: Select all the positions you are genuinely interested in within one application. After you submit, you won’t be able to go back and change your position choices.

6. Work through all application sections: There are several sections to complete. Your progress will save as you go (unless you click “Cancel”), and each section will be marked as “Completed,” “In Progress,” or “Needs to be Completed.” You can log in and out and work on your application over multiple sessions.

o Note: I strongly recommend typing longer written answers in a separate document first, then pasting them into the application. This gives you a back-up in case of any internet or browser issues.

7. Answer all questions in the fields provided: All application questions must be answered directly in the text boxes on the portal.

8. Submit your application: Once every section is complete, click “Submit,” type your name, and then click “Sign and Submit.” Your application is then fully submitted.

9. Supporting documents & confirmation: You will receive an email confirming that your application has been submitted. Once you receive this confirmation, please send your cover letter and resume to gemma@campkawartha.ca, with the subject line as your name + the position(s) you are applying for. You can attach any additional documents (like certifications) to this same email.

If you get stuck at any point, you’re welcome to email me at gemma@campkawartha.ca. I do encourage you to try working through the steps on your own first. The portal is designed to guide you, and this is a great chance to practice navigating an online application process.

The Land Activities Director is a senior leader responsible for the daily
planning, delivery, and supervision of all land-based adventure programming at Camp Kawartha, including high ropes, low ropes, the rock wall, and leadership challenge initiatives. Working closely with the Ropes Specialist and Senior Leadership Team, this role creates safe, fun, and
confidence-building experiences through strong staff training, clear facilitation, and consistent safety standards. This role also helps campers take healthy risks by supporting both their physical safety and their emotional comfort during challenge activities. The Land Activities Director
ensures all course areas and equipment are inspected, cared for, and ready each day, and helps build a land program where campers and staff feel supported, capable, and excited to try something new.

View job description here

The Pre-Leadership Camper (PLC) Director is a leadership role responsible for
the overall vision, quality, and success of the PLC program. This role designs and delivers a safe, growth-focused program that encourages campers to step outside their comfort zones, build teamwork skills, and begin their leadership journey. Working closely with PLC Coordinators and
Senior Leadership, the PLC Director provides guidance and support to staff by setting clear expectations, coaching facilitation skills, and ensuring day-to-day programming aligns with the program’s overall goals. The PLC Director monitors camper wellbeing and group dynamics,
stepping in as needed to support safety, inclusion, and learning. In alignment with Camp Kawartha’s mission, this role helps develop emerging leaders who value land stewardship and care for camp’s outdoor spaces.

View job description here

As one of the primary stewards for the tripping department, the Senior Canoe
Tripper focuses on leading safe trips that encourage campers to push themselves outside of their comfort zones and nurtures a curiosity of the natural world. Responsible for packing, preparing
the campers, and take down from the trip, seniors trippers work to create a tripping department that is well organized and cared for, while encouraging campers and staff alike to get involved with tripping.

View job description here

Leading the day-to-day operations of their specific Day Program (i.e. Kinder
Camp, Day Camp or Twilight), the Day Programs Coordinator is responsible for the delivery of the program as outlined by the Day Programs Director. A schedule will be made in advance, with the opportunity for Coordinators to provide input into the operations of their programs. Coordinators
support Day Program Counsellors with the delivery of the program, helping build confidence and their camper care skills throughout the summer. They provide regular feedback to the Day Programs Director about the challenges of their specifc program and work with them to solve camper and staffing issues.

View job description here

The Environmental Specialist delivers engaging environmental programming
throughout the summer in alignment with Camp Kawartha’s environmental framework and mission. This role focuses on connecting campers to nature through hands-on, experiential learning that is age-appropriate, interactive, and rooted in the camp’s habitats and communities.
The Environmental Specialist plans and delivers eco-skills for overnight campers and nature-based programming for day campers, while also promoting simple, practical sustainability
practices throughout day-to-day camp operations. As a resource for both campers and staff, this role supports curiosity, skill-building, and a shared culture of environmental responsibility, working closely with the Environmental Director and the broader programming team.

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As the primary caretaker for Camp Kawartha’s gardens, the Eco Gardener is
responsible for maintaining and enhancing these spaces, so they are healthy, productive, and thriving throughout the season. Working with the Kitchen Liaison, the Eco Gardener grows and harvests food for use in the camp salad bar and other meals. This role supports simple, hands-on programming connected to the gardens by inviting campers into the space to learn about plant growth, environmental care, and how growing food can support sustainability. The Eco Gardener keeps the Environmental Director informed on garden progress and brings forward purchase requests that meaningfully support garden health and camp use.

View job description here

View job description here

Acting as an intermediary between the Kitchen Staff and the Summer Camp
Staff, the Kitchen Liaison represents the Kitchen Staff within summer camp spaces and is responsible for maintaining positive communication between the kitchen and summer staff. Works with Kitchen and Summer Staff to get suggestions on menu.

View job description here

Camp Kawartha, an award-winning camp, outdoor and environment centre is seeking passionate, reliable and dedicated staff to deliver healthy, sustainable food to our many campers, students and visiting groups.  This is an exciting position for someone interested in sustainable and local food.

Currently looking for:

Summer Kitchen Help

If you are interested in a Food Services position with Camp Kawartha, please submit a resume, cover letter and references to our kitchen team kitchen@campkawartha.ca

Must be willing to have or obtain a food-handlers certificate, clear police check and reliable transportation.

View job description here