Assistant Director of Counselling, 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.


About Towhee
Camp Towhee is a member of the Ontario Camps Association (OCA) and employs individuals that believe in and uphold the OCA core values. These values are integrity, respect, responsibility, inclusiveness, caring, and openness. All Camp Towhee staff members are expected to carry themselves in a way that represents these values and aligns with the OCAs mission to have camp staff who are honest, responsible, and fair to all.

Camp Towhee/Towhee Summer Therapeutic Program treats youth with Mental Health issues complicated by Learning Disabilities. Located in Haliburton, Ontario, Towhee positively changes the trajectory of kids and staffs lives. This will be one of the most rewarding, magical and hardest places you will ever work. We provide 12 days of training covering behaviour management, counselling skills, CPI, mental health and learning disabilities.

If you are interested in a career in the social services, psychology or teaching and/or want to play a pivotal role in supporting children and youth in feeling safe enough to be their genuine amazing selves - Towhee is the place for you to get real experience, skill building, and be part of that change.

Who we need
The successful candidate will be responsible for directly supervising, evaluating, and supporting Counsellor Supervisors in their duties and providing general support to all Towhee staff members by ensuring they have a clear understanding of Camp Towhee’s approach, policies, practices and procedures.

As our new Assistant Director of Counselling, you will:

1. Support the Director in office to ensure all campers are prepared for the season. This may include, but is not limited to, co-facilitating assessment groups, communicating with caregivers and/or professionals, updating/reviewing documentation, and planning events.
2. In conjunction with the Camp Director and Assistant Director of Programming, plan, develop and facilitate a training week for the season’s supervisors. The AD Counselling may also be responsible for planning and facilitating a one-day training exclusively for Counsellor Supervisors, if necessary.
3. In conjunction with the Camp Director and Assistant Director Counselling, plan, develop and facilitate a staff training program for all non-supervisor staff that is dynamic, professional and fun, and serves to prepare all staff for their work with the Towhee campers.

1. Directly supervise all Counsellor Supervisors and provide general oversight to all counselling staff, to ensure that all camper approaches are safe (emotionally and physically), intentional, and fun.
2. Collaborate with the AD of Programming to ensure that programs meet the social, emotional, and behavioural needs of the campers, and are being modified appropriately depending on client needs.
3. Support Counsellor Supervisors and Counselling Staff with establishing clear and consistent expectations for campers, managing behaviours, maintaining appropriate boundaries, and with responding to critical situations.
4. Provide counselling support, crisis management and intervention to campers where necessary. This should be done while ensuring issues are being escalated appropriately (i.e.: not being brought directly to AD Counselling before Counsellor Supervisor has gotten involved).
5. Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and support staff to do the same.
6. Meet with all supervisees regularly to provide feedback and support.
7. Evaluate staff orally on a regular basis and complete formal, written performance appraisals as directed.
8. Ensure all staff understand and abide by all camp policies and procedures.
9. Attend Counsellor Supervior meetings, case conferences and other meetings as needed.
10. Act as a resource for all staff on the counselling, behavioural, and clinical needs of campers, including incident debriefing, and emotional support.
11. Support Counsellor Supervisors in communication with caregivers and communicate directly when appropriate.
12. Ensure that the Camp Director is informed immediately of any/all incidents, risks to camp/camper safety, and/or potential Children's Aid Society reports.
13. Perform all other related duties as assigned by the Camp Director, including acting on behalf of the Camp Director as required during their absenc

• Completed post-secondary degree (BA, BEd, BSc, OCD, etc.) or equivalent experience in a related field.
   
• Experience working with children and/or youth, preferably our population.
• Personal, professional, or educational experiences, in a related field (Camp, Education, Social Work, etc.).
• Experience implementing & ability to teach behaviour/social/emotional interventions and counselling skills.
• Ability to assume responsibility and exercise good judgment in making decisions within the scope of authority of the position.
• Must have a current and valid police record check with vulnerable sector screening.
• Standard First Aid with CPR C.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a respectful and aware manner with groups from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

• Fast-paced work environment.
• Interacts with campers, other staff, supervisors/directors, family members, and visitors as required.
• As needed requirement to lift children (up to 45 lbs.), in addition to bending, stooping, stretching, squatting, pushing, pulling, sitting, walking, and climbing stairs.
• Possibility of participation in a day long canoe trip, involving paddling, portaging, hiking, swimming, and carrying equipment. ▪ Noise level can be moderate to loud.
• Intermittent physical activity including sitting, standing, walking, running, lifting and generally supporting campers and staff in camp activities and games.
• This is a full-time position requiring schedule flexibility. Camp leadership roles operate in a dynamic environment, and the Assistant Camp Director will work evenings, weekends as needed to ensure a safe and successful camp experience during the camp sessions.

• All applicants are advised that offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a Vulnerable Sector Check OR Board Record Check.

• Supervisors Training: June 15th - June 17th
• Departure date: June 18th, Transportation from Toronto to Towhee will be provide 
• Pre-Camp, All Staff Training: June 19th - June 30th
• Session 1: July 4th - July 17th
• Session 2: July 20th - August 2nd
• Session 3: August 5th - August 18th 
• Staff onsite for Cleanup: August 18th 12:00 PM until August 20th at 5:00 PM, Transportation form Towhee to Toronto will be provided

• Start date: June 1, 2026
• Contract end date: August 20, 2026
• Compensation: 
  • Camp Towhee provides a competitive compensation at $12,000 for the full term live-in basis for this seasonal contract ($25.37 per hour for 40 hrs per week), paid semi-monthly. This is a contract position for the period of June - August (12 weeks).
  • Room and board are included at no additional cost.