Summer Camp Director, Camp Towhee

Who we are

As the need for mental health services grows, Child Development Institute (CDI) continues to be the steadfast support and leading provider of specialized mental health services for children and youth aged 0-18 and their families. All of our services are guided by a strength-based approach that incorporates the family and the community into the journey of supporting children and youth. 

Trusted with the mental well-being of our community's most sensitive members, infants and children, all of our programming is backed by rigorous research. Science is the backbone which informs our work as we evolve alongside the needs of our community.

We are committed to providing services that are respectful of racial, cultural, religious, ethnic and linguistic diversity, as well as sexual orientation, age, gender and family differences. All our services are delivered by a deeply caring and compassionate team that guides children, youth and families along a mental health journey in a safe, respectful and welcoming space.

Who we need

We are hiring a Camp Director for Camp Towhee, CDI's overnight summer Therapeutic Recreation Program. Whether you are currently working in private practice, considering a change in hours, or taking a step away from your current role in mental health, this is a unique opportunity for someone who believes in our mission to join us.

Under the direction of the Manager, Therapeutic Recreation Programs, you will lead the delivery of CDI's Camp Towhee program, from recruiting and training staff to nurturing a positive, vibrant camp experience every day and night. You will ensure Camp Towhee programs are consistent with our mission, values, policies, procedures, standards, and priorities and have the resources to fulfill that mission. You will provide vigorous leadership and operational oversight toward achieving service excellence and a quality professional environment.

This is an eight-month contract role. From January to March it will be a remote position requiring up to 10 hours per week. Starting in April, the role transitions to full-time, focusing on camper communications, coordination, staffing, and training. From June 1st to August 29th, it becomes a full-time onsite position at Camp Towhee in Haliburton.

Who you are

You genuinely believe nature can be therapeutic, combined with a passion for camp and vocation grounded in the benefits of intervention and therapeutic programming for children experiencing mental health challenges and learning disabilities.

As a Child and Youth Worker, Social Worker, Youth Counsellor, or Child Therapist, you want the opportunity to bring dozens of children and youth with a combined learning disability and mental health diagnosis to the welcoming rustic atmosphere of Camp Towhee in Haliburton.

Ideally, you have worked in an agency or private setting, in both recreational and therapeutic environments, supporting children and youth with mental health challenges. You are looking for a seasonal opportunity with endless fulfillment.

What's in it for you

Profound purpose. You want to champion recreational, collaborative, and intentional activities for building mental, social and emotional strength to face the challenges of a learning disability and a mental health diagnosis.

A chance to share your connection with the outdoors. You love camp. Whether it's portaging and pitching tents or traditional cabins, you were made to be outdoors.

Growth as a leader and as a compassionate human. This is a chance to be a Summer Director for a camp run by a recognized, awarded, evidence-based child and youth mental health agency. It's a chance to be a staff leader and coach them on effective risk and conflict management, to impact the Learning Disability/Mental Health population, and to implement and execute successful programs. Working closely with the Manager of Therapeutic Recreation Programs, you will be part of a team deeply committed to empowering each other to be their best selves and who care for individual, team, program, and above all else, camper success.

As our new Summer Director, Camp Towhee, you will:

•  Plan for success. During the preseason months, January to April, you will work flexible hours (approximately 10 per week) to support any camp-related tasks. You will assist with staff recruitment, interviewing, and onboarding, coordinate client assessments, and support camp program development. From April to June, you will update programming, plan for and deliver staff training and collaborate with Camp Towhee staff to prepare for a successful summer.
• Be a guiding, energetic, committed presence. You will work 8-12 hour days, six days a week for the summer months. Welcoming cohorts of 40 new campers every two weeks and ensuring their physical, mental, social, and emotional needs are met through exemplary programming delivered by well-trained, deeply involved staff. You will engage with campers and staff at every opportunity, demonstrating your commitment to their well-being and enthusiasm for camp.
• Manage a team onsite. You will provide direct supervision and continuous support of camp staff. You will effectively manage staff and client needs with the support of the Manager of Therapeutic Recreation Programs. 
• Lead camp operations. You will manage a budget, meet all legislative requirements, ensure a healthy and safe workplace, and maintain Ministry, OCA and CCA accreditation standards. You will complete client documentation following agency policies and procedures (i.e., group and summary reports, electronic file notes, incident and serious occurrence reports). 
• Support our mission. You will liaise with other CDI staff, including LDMH clinicians and the Coordinator of Therapeutic Recreation Programs, to ensure appropriate communication and service coordination for clients/families.

What you bring:

• The clinical knowledge. You have a degree in Social Work or Child and Youth Work with at least three (3) years of experience working with children, youth, families, and groups in a therapeutic or clinical setting. You have proven organizational, operational, and decision-making skills required from a successful team and therapeutic program leader.
• The practical experience. You have worked with children and youth with mental health challenges complicated by learning disabilities (LDMH). You have experience facilitating and developing therapeutic recreation programs. You are confident in your ability to draw on your clinical background and knowledge to engage in supportive counselling and interventions, to step in and manage crisis situations and to empathize and connect with people.
• The passion for camp. You have worked at summer camps, outdoor education centres, or residential treatment settings. You enjoy and appreciate outdoor activities and are passionate about sharing how physical challenges, problem-solving and collaboration can lead to individual mental strength and self-awareness. 
• The utmost respect and love for children and youth. You can build genuine, trusting relationships with children, youth, young adult staff, and client families. You excel at coaching or training, providing constructive and positive feedback, supervising large and small groups, and evaluating individual and team performance. 
• The confidence and the patience. You have education, training, or experience navigating high-risk, high-emotion situations. You are calm in the face of conflict or difficulty, have a truly positive demeanour and can engage people from diverse backgrounds in conversation and activities. 
• The desire to make a difference. You are interested in what we do and how we do it; you want to play a vital role in creating and fostering a positive camp environment that represents our values. You are flexible to meet the needs of campers and staff alike throughout the summer. You understand the need for stability and can commit to the shifting seasonal demands of the role. 

Other Requirements

• All applicants are advised that offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a Vulnerable Sector Check.
• Credential verifications and references are required.

Apply now

If you're excited about this role but your experience aligns differently with every requirement, we encourage you to apply. While specific qualifications are strictly required, others can be based on various experiences, backgrounds, and knowledge. We can't promise an interview, but we will consider your whole application. 

What you can expect from our interview process:

• A virtual interview with a Talent Advisor will discuss your interest in the role and background.
• An in-person interview with the Manager, Therapeutic Recreation Programs and an HR representative to learn more about the role and an opportunity to ask and answer questions about Camp Towhee and CDI.

CDI is firmly committed to diversity within its community and welcomes applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous People of North America and the world, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. We are committed to providing equitable opportunities in employment and to providing a workplace which is free from discrimination and harassment. We are equally committed to providing an inclusive and accessible workplace. If you require accommodations, please reach out to us at [email protected] 

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