Challenge Course Program Leader, Camp Towhee

Haliburton, ON, Canada

Seasonal

Clinical Services - Camp Towhee

Entry Level

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/Towhee Summer Therapeutic Program supports youth with mental health challenges complicated by learning disabilities. Located in Haliburton, Ontario, Towhee creates lasting, positive change for campers and staff. Working at Towhee is a uniquely rewarding and transformative experience. We provide 10 days of comprehensive training covering behaviour management, counselling skills, Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI), mental health, and learning disabilities.

If you are pursuing a career in social services, psychology, or teaching—or if you are passionate about creating a safe, supportive environment where children and youth can thrive—Towhee offers hands-on experience, skill development, and the opportunity to make a real impact.

About Camp Towhee Challenge Course

The Challenge Course Program (also known as the EXCEL Program) provides campers with opportunities to develop teamwork, trust, and confidence through group activities, low-ropes initiatives, and high-ropes elements. Cabin groups participate in structured team challenges that build communication and social skills while reinforcing our Challenge by Choice philosophy in a safe and supportive environment.

Who we need

We are seeking a Challenge Course Program Leader to join our dynamic Camp Towhee team. Reporting to the Program Supervisor, this contract position runs from June 21 to August 21, 2025.

As the Challenge Course Program Leader, you will be responsible for creating and implementing intentional programming that includes team-building activities, low-ropes, and high-ropes elements. You will help campers build confidence, foster collaboration, and engage in experiential learning through adventure-based challenges. Additionally, you will maintain course equipment, ensure safety protocols are followed, and support campers in achieving their therapeutic and developmental goals.

We are looking for a team player who is passionate about outdoor experiential learning, has experience facilitating challenge course programs, and is committed to creating an inclusive and empowering environment for campers.

As our new Challenge Course Program Leader, you will:

Plan, coordinate, and facilitate engaging, high-quality programs that promote skill development, teamwork, and personal growth.
Lead group activities that encourage problem-solving, collaboration, and self-confidence.
Maintain and inspect course equipment, ensuring all elements meet safety standards.
Support the Challenge Course Program team by assisting with program development and peer collaboration.
Provide direct supervision and guidance to campers during activities, meal times, evening programs, and bedtime routines.
Participate in camp-wide programs, special events, and themed activities that foster a fun and supportive camp culture.
Uphold and communicate Camp Towhee’s policies, practices, and safety procedures.

You bring

Two or more years of post-secondary education or equivalent experience.
Experience facilitating programming, preferably on challenge courses or adventure-based elements.
Previous experience working in a camp environment (strongly preferred).
Experience working with children and youth, particularly those with mental health and learning challenges.
Ability to take initiative, make informed decisions, and adapt to dynamic environments.
Standard First Aid with CPR-C certification.
A current and valid police records check with vulnerable sector screening.
Completion of the Challenges Unlimited (CUI) Level 1 Training, or an equivalent certification (strongly preferred).
Attendance at the Challenge Course Team pre-training on June 21 & 22, 2025.
Ability to work respectfully with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Working Conditions

Fast-paced camp environment with frequent interaction with campers, staff, supervisors, families, and visitors.
Responsible for safely operating the Camp Towhee Challenge Course, including setting up and taking down elements, inspecting equipment, and facilitating activities.
May require lifting children (up to 45 lbs.), as well as bending, stooping, stretching, squatting, pushing, pulling, sitting, walking, and climbing stairs.
Potential participation in a 3-5 day canoe trip, involving paddling, portaging, hiking, swimming, carrying equipment, and tent camping.
Moderate to loud noise levels.
Frequent physical activity, including standing, walking, running, lifting, and actively engaging with campers and staff in challenge course activities and general camp programming.

Other requirements

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

Contract Period

Start date: June 21, 2025
Contract end date: August 21, 2025
Compensation: $4,550 for the term of employment, including a base salary of $2,800 and a completion bonus of $1,750 at the end of the contract. Room and board are also provided.

Apply now

If you're excited about this role but your experience aligns differently with any of the requirements, 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.
A virtual interview with the hiring manager and a team member will allow you to expand on your knowledge and experience further and ask follow-up questions about the role and Camp.

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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Help us maintain an inclusive culture.

We want anyone, anywhere to have the same chance and opportunity to build a life they love and that they are proud of. We are proactive in creating a belonging environment that anyone can be a part of. Thoughtful, data-driven decision-making is core to this success. We ask these questions to strengthen our practices by using data to identify and mitigate unconscious bias in our hiring process.

If you choose to answer them, the responses are ONLY used in aggregate to help us identify areas for improvement in our processes. Your responses, or your choice to prefer not to say, will not be associated with your application and will not in any way be used in the hiring decision. For one, that’s illegal, and we’re really not into breaking the law. Keep being awesome, and thank you for considering work at Child Development Institute.

1.) Indigenous peoples: Based on the definition below, are you an Indigenous person?

"Indigenous peoples" means First Nations, Inuit or Métis peoples of Canada.*

2.) Persons with disabilities: Based on the definition below, are you a person with a disability?

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