Challenge Course Head

Challenge Course Head

Number of Positions: 1

Compensation: $105/day + meals and accommodation

Reports To: Program Coordinator

Location: Camp Woodeden (London, ON)

Employment Dates: June 2025 – Sept 2025

Overview

At Easter Seals Ontario, we provide overnight camping opportunities for kids and young adults with physical disabilities. Each summer we welcome staff from all over the world and pride ourselves on providing an awesome pre-camp training, so our staff are equipped with all the skills they need to give our campers a great experience. Our camps make many traditional summer camp activities accessible and inclusive, such as swimming, boating, archery, high ropes, and more! Check out our website to learn more about our locations in Perth, Ontario and London, Ontario.

Reporting to the Recreation Supervisor and working closely with the Program Coordinator, the Challenger Course Head is responsible for all aspects of the Challenge Course program, including supporting the Challenge Course Counsellors, maintaining high ropes, giant swing, and climbing wall equipment, ensuring that all programs are meeting risk management and legislative standards and delivering an exceptional, camper-focused experience. Certification and in-depth training paid for and provided during pre-camp orientation.

Summary of Essential Job Functions

• Shares responsibility for planning, implementing, and overseeing an inclusive, anti- oppressive, camper-focused camp program and culture.
• Familiarizes counselling and program staff with the high ropes, rock wall, and big swing, ensuring safety standards are upheld during use.
• Working with the Recreation Supervisor and Program Coordinator, ensures the Risk Management Plan for the Ropes area is communicated to staff and campers and that the standards are met and enforced.
• Be families with the OCA standards and Challenges Unlimited standards pertaining to the safe operation of a challenge course program.
• Develop program goals that follow Easter Seals Ontario camping goals and objectives.
• Manage equipment, including ongoing inventory, identifying equipment to be retired, and record keeping of equipment use.
• Support the Ropes Team by meeting regularly, providing guidance, identifying further training needs, and monitoring health and safety of team members.
• Ensure that the programs are challenging, of a high quality, creative and safe for campers of all ages and abilities.
• Conduct ongoing program evaluations to ensure that the programs are meeting the needs of the campers.
• Pro-actively identify and solve problems and areas of concern.
• Remain visible and accessible by participating in camp programs and assisting where required in the cabins.
• Orient the entire staff to the rules, regulations and emergency procedures while participating on the challenge course.
• Conduct a daily check of the program area and equipment for safety, cleanliness, and good repair.
• Clean challenge course area daily keeping it free of hazards and debris.
• Ensure challenge course site is secure at the end of each day.
• Report any concerns to the Site Manager or Recreation Supervisor.
• Ensure proper completion and timely submission of all reports.
• When not engaged in programs or program planning, assist with camper care including bathing, showering, brushing teeth, hair care, dressing, toileting (changing incontinence pads), cleaning intermittent catheterization, feeding, lifting and transferring, and any other activities of daily living. Training for these activities is provided during pre-camp orientation.
• Adhere to and support all camp policies and procedures as detailed in the Camp Resource Manual and Leadership Team Manual.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Recreation Supervisor.

Physical Aspects of the Job

• Ability to communicate and work with groups and provide necessary instruction to campers and staff.
• Ability to observe camper and staff behaviour and apply appropriate behaviour-management techniques, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures.
• Physical ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid. Must be able to assist campers in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness, or injury) and possess strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of campers.
• Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to the activity.
• Able to manage lifting, bending, stooping and stretching as well as daily exposure to the sun and heat and varying environmental conditions.

Minimum Requirements

Minimum Age: 19 years old

CUI Level II Challenge Course Practitioner or equivalent is required; however, this training will be provided to the right candidate prior to camp.

Experience with top rope climbing, static courses, giant swing, and/or climbing wall. Good leadership, people, and group management skills. Well organized, self starter, and safety conscious. Standard First Aid/CPR is required prior to the start of the camp season.

Other Considerations

• Easter Seals Ontario camps are accessible and provide camping experiences to kids and young adults with disabilities.
• Must provide clear background check.
• It is required that all staff be fully vaccinated against Covid19 and follow the health and safety recommendations provided by Provincial and Regional Health Units.
• Camp staff members are required to participate fully in the camp activities. This may include swimming every day, sailing, dressing-up and working with children/youth all day.
• Should be capable of lifting and transferring 15 – 25 kgs in a safe manner.
• Onsite housing provided for camping season and meals provided on camp session days.
• June – August eight-day work period, 24 hours/day on call with scheduled breaks throughout the day and three days off between sessions.

Easter Seals Ontario welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Easter Seals Ontario fosters an environment of inclusivity, empowerment, and safety for participants and staff alike. Easter Seals Ontario is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, colour, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex, age, physical, mental or sensory ability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws of Ontario.