Do you love children? Do you love the high energy and excitement of summer camp? Do you encourage others and go the extra mile to make someone’s day special? We are looking for dedicated, caring, fun-loving people who will help make our summer medical camps a safe and magical experience for children with serious and chronic illnesses and disabilities.
At our residential summer camp you will be working and living with like-minded people from all over the world and together you will make the impossible possible! We are currently hiring Camp Counsellors and Activity specialists for different activity areas so take a look at all our job postings!
General Qualifications
All Zajac Ranch staff members must:
- Be camper-focused with a professional attitude.
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Be able to facilitate an empowering organized program through encouragement and support.
- Have leadership and communication skills.
- Have experience with outdoor recreation/camp activities.
- Be willing and able to work in a physically and mentally demanding environment on a daily basis.
- Have a friendly, caring personality.
- Be effectively able manage self-care.
- Be able to apply behaviour management techniques (as covered in staff training) to ensure a caring, positive, and fun experience for all campers.
- Provide original Criminal Record Check and valid First Aid Certificate
Positions Available:
Ranger Position - 2022
Ranger Positions (Activity Specialists)
General Information
The Zajac Ranch for Children is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing outdoor and camp experiences to young adults and youth living with special needs and chronic illnesses. Children who attend camp will improve their self-esteem and confidence in a stimulating, supportive, empowering and fun environment, while ensuring their physical and emotional wellbeing.
You, as a potential employee, have the opportunity to gain experience in the areas of leadership, communication, organization, teamwork, conflict resolution and community building. Pre-camp staff training will cover topics that will orient you with the knowledge and skills to effectively and confidently mentor those attending our camps.
Working at the Zajac Ranch for Children will allow you to develop skills working with groups with diverse challenges. These skills and experiences have applications in many future careers and are positively recognized by employers and post-secondary institutions. Not only will you develop and build upon your professional skills, but you will have the opportunity to explore who you are, and let your true personality shine. You will meet people from all over the world, whom share similar interests and the desire to make a difference in a child’s life.
Ranger Responsiblities:
Responsible for facilitating a safe and fun programming environment.
Create and implement an activity program suitable to the interest and ability of each camper each session.
Coordinate group programs with available resources to ensure optimum participation in the camp activities by each camper.
Provide an inventory list of all program items at the beginning and end of the camp season.
Encourage and provide positive reinformcent to each camper during activity session, using the therapeutic recreation model (covered during staff training).
Adhere to Local Operating Plicies and Procedures and Standards for activities.
Attend and participate in regular staff meetings.
Assigned to a cabin group if not scheduled for leading an activity.
Assist in the facilitate all camp programs with assigned staff (ie. Evening programs, Campfires, Theme days etc.)
Any other duties deemed necessary by the Zajac Ranch for Children.
Ranger Postions Available:
Lifeguard- NLS qualifications to act as a Lifeguard at our lakefront dock and indoor pool.
Canoe and Kayak- NLS qualifications and canoeing and kayaking experience to teach campers how to canoe and kayak at our waterfront.
Ropes Course- Lead campers through our high and low ropes course and climbing wall. Previous ropes course/teambuilding experience an asset.
Creative Arts- Facilitate with arts and craft projects and dramatic programs.
Outdoor Adventure- a nature loving person to lead campers in outdoor pursuits including: archery, orienteering, hiking, campfire building, and many more.
Equestrian- Experience working with horses to help care for the horses and other animals and ensure that campers have a safe and fun time during the program.
Wrangler Position - 2022
General Information
The Zajac Ranch for Children is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing outdoor and camp experiences to young adults and youth living with special needs and chronic illnesses. Children who attend camp will improve their self-esteem and confidence in a stimulating, supportive, empowering and fun environment, while ensuring their physical and emotional wellbeing.
You, as a potential employee, have the opportunity to gain experience in the areas of leadership, communication, organization, teamwork, conflict resolution and community building. Pre-camp staff training will cover topics that will orient you with the knowledge and skills to effectively and confidently mentor those attending our camps.
Working at the Zajac Ranch for Children will allow you to develop skills working with groups with diverse challenges. These skills and experiences have applications in many future careers and are positively recognized by employers and post-secondary institutions. Not only will you develop and build upon your professional skills, but you will have the opportunity to explore who you are, and let your true personality shine. You will meet people from all over the world, whom share similar interests and the desire to make a difference in a child’s life.
General Applicant Requirements
Camper-focused with a professional attitude.
Able to facilitate an empowering organized program through encouragement and support.
Leadership and communication skills.
Experience with outdoor recreation/camp activities.
Willing and able to work in a physically and mentally demanding environment on a daily basis.
Friendly, caring personality.
Effectively able manage self-care.
Able to apply behaviour management techniques to ensure a caring, positive, and fun experience for all campers. (as covered in staff training)
Must provide clear Criminal Record Check and valid First Aid Certificate.
Be at least 18 years of age.
Wrangler Positions (Camp Counsellor)
Wranglers are the Zajac Ranch for Children cabin counsellors. For each camp session you’ll be a part of a support team responsible for a small group of children with special medical needs. This rewarding position allows you to interact daily and develop a rapport with children with a wide variety of challenges. No two days will be the same and as a Wrangler you’ll be a key influence on a Zajac Ranch camper’s stay.
Wrangler Responsibilities:
Live in the cabin with the campers serving as a role model and support.
Assist campers in having a safe, fun and enjoyable session.
Lead campers to and from activities while providing constant encouragement and positive reinforcement.
Ensure positive and appropriate camper-staff and camper-camper interactions.
Provide supervision and assistance in all aspects of the camper’s daily routine, including but is not limited to: meals, cabin clean-up, camper hygiene, rest hour, scheduled medication times, and behaviour management.
Report all accidents, illnesses and incidents to the Director and/or Medical Staff, in a timely and appropriate manner.
Work with your co-counsellors to create a cabin team that will best meet the needs of your campers.
Responsible for knowing and adhering to the policies and procedures contained within the camp manual.
Assist in and facilitate all camp programs with assigned staff (i.e. evening programs, campfires, theme days, etc.)
Attend and give updates during regular staff meetings.
Any other duties deemed necessary by the Zajac Ranch for Children.
Assiatant Camp Director - 2022
Assistant Camp Director
2022 Job Description
ABOUT US:
Located on the shores of Stave Lake in Mission, BC, just one hour east of Vancouver, Zajac Ranch for Children is situated on over 40 acres of pristine forested land. During the summer months, Zajac Ranch provides camps for children and young adults with chronic, life-threatening and/or debilitating conditions. In the off-season, Zajac Ranch welcomes school groups and private rentals. Revenue raised from site rentals goes to supporting Zajac Ranch for Children summer medical camps.
Reports to: Camp Director Zajac Foundation Management
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Staff Supervision and Camp Management (Summer and Rental Seasons):
Assist with recruitment, interviewing, and training of staff team
Provide team development, guidance, direction and support
Plan, lead and adapt staff training and individual weekly training exercises and reviews.
Maintain on-call list of programming staff for rental season
Ensure effective communication between all levels of camp
Knowing, enforcing, and adhering to the policies and procedures
Conducting mid-summer and end of summer staff evaluations with the Camp Director
Part of a creative team for managing ad hoc issues and challenges at camp.
Facilitate regular check-ins with counselling staff in order to ensure consistent improvement and that all issues are met.
Provide regular support in cabin groups to ensure best practices when dealing with challenging behaviours and to ensure positive group dynamics.
Camp Program Management
Assume the duties of Camp Director when the camp director is absent
Manage escalation of behaviour management issues on site with director.
Ensure all special diets are being met by food service staff.
Ensure all meals are appropriate for campers and staff.
Petty Cash Balancing, and tracking
General Store stocking and float maintenance.
Volunteer Training and Management
Actively recruit volunteers for camp sessions.
Review volunteer applications and conduct brief interviews to determine suitability.
Create and distribute volunteer manual.
Maintain up-to-date paperwork for incoming volunteers (applications, criminal record checks, etc.)
Conduct volunteer training sessions in advance of each session.
Conduct regular check-ins with volunteers in order to address issues and ensure satisfaction.
Safety
Take control in emergency in the absence of the Camp Director and Nursing Director
Assist in developing and coordinating emergency response procedures and crisis management
Promote strong safety awareness among all staff
With director, plan and execute all emergency procedure training with on-site staff.
Ensure emergency on-site list is up to date and available.
Making sure activity areas are clean, tidy, and safe before and after each camp session.
In rotation with the Camp Director, provide “On Call” coverage (can be contacted by phone or walky talky) from bedtime to Breakfast in case of emergency.
Rental Season
Act as “host” to rental groups in shoulder season, providing customer service and hospitality to all guests
Liaise with “Sales & Registration Coordinator” at Zajac Foundation head office to ensure that preparations are made for each rental group, including programming needs.
Communicate feedback from guests to head office; continually work to promote positive experiences for everybody who visits the Zajac Ranch
Assist in gate and barn duties as required.
Foundation initiatives
Assist in recruitment and training of volunteers throughout both mandate season and rental season. This could include visiting organizations, community meetings, universities etc. and making presentations.
Assist in marketing, fundraising and spreading awareness of the Zajac Ranch as directed by the Foundation office and Camp Director
Host tours for potential donors, volunteers, camp groups when necessary
Qualifications:
A firm belief in the value of summer camp for children with special medical needs.
At least two years of camp administrative experience.
Experience working with developmental disabilities, special needs, and behavioural management an asset.
Ability to work independently and within a team environment.
Proficient computer skills; Microsoft Office and CampBrain (camp registration system) is an asset, but not required
Ability to proactively manage multiple work tasks in a timely manner
Effective verbal and written communication skills
Not for profit experience an asset
Must have own transportation
Hold valid Standard First Aid and CPR Level C or the ability to obtain.
Possess and maintain a clear Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search
The Assistant Camp Director is required to live on-site; private living quarters will be provided.
Camp Lifeguard - 2022
Please do not apply unless you have a valid lifeguard certificate.
We are looking for a lifeguard to join our team this summer! As a lifeguard certified facilitator, you will be allocated to water activities during most activity periods. This does not necessarily mean you will be lifeguarding, for example if the groups go on a canoe trip, you would be asked to go on that trip which also involves helping groups getting ready and getting in and out of the canoes. When there are no water activities going on, you will help other staff run other things (eg: an all camp theme afternoon). In the evenings, you will help run fun games and campfires. You will also assist with meals, sometimes in the kitchen and sometimes serving the families. Our camp lifeguards do the same variety of things as our general facilitators, but are mostly allocated to water activities during activity times. You are required to be available from Fri-Sun each weekend and occasionally on Mondays
Medical Volunteers - 2022
Our 24 hour medical centre, The OK Corral, provides care for every camper. Staffed by volunteer medical professionals who donate their time, children can receive medical care while experiencing the joys of summer camp.
Are you a medical professional who wants to change lives this summer? APPLY HERE!
Every season, camp provides new learning opportunities and challenges for me to conquer. This camp season came and went in the blink of an eye, but once again I feel like a completely different person than the one who started the season.”
– Mike, Camp Counselor
FAQs
How do I apply?
- Read the General Qualifications to see if you are the kind of fabulous person we are looking for.
- Take a look at the Job Descriptions and decide which is best suited for you
- Fully complete the online application online
- Participate in an interview
- Pack your bags and head to the Zajac Ranch for Children for an awesome summer!
When do the jobs start and end?
Staff training starts mid-June and the summer season ends at the end of August. Your exact employment dates will be included in your offer letter.
I can’t commit to working the whole summer. Can I still help out?
Yes! Every year we have a number of Rangers, Wranglers, Kitchen Staff and Maintenance Staff who volunteer their time for anything from a few days to a few weeks. Contact us for more details and to discuss your availability.
I’m under 18. Can I be a counsellor?
You must be 18 or over to work or volunteer as a counsellor at the Zajac Ranch for Children. However, you can still apply to the Kitchen or Maintenance Staff. Sixteen and 17 year-olds interested in volunteering as counsellors should check out our Leadership in Training and Counsellor in Training programs, where you can develop your leadership skills and help our counsellors with camp activities like campfires.
I don’t have any experience with special needs children. Is training provided?
In many ways, working at the Zajac Ranch for Children is like working at any summer camp; camp staff deal with homesickness, disputes between campers, minor cuts and bruises, and a lot of fun activities, however, there are extra things to be aware of when your campers have serious and chronic illnesses and disabilities. We provide over a week of staff training, covering emergency procedures, safety, and behaviour management.
Before each camp session, the Camp Director and Nursing Director will tell you all about the campers you’re about to meet. They’ll let you know the challenges the campers face, the most common issues with mobility, communication, or behaviour, and how to deal with them.
Best of all, you’re not alone! The Assistant Camp Director and Camp Director are there to help, with daily staff meetings to give you advice and support. Plus, for any medical issues, there’s a 24 hour on-site Medical Centre staffed by volunteer doctors and nurses. You don’t need to be an expert on special needs, just a empathetic, caring and patient person who loves kids and summer camp!