Camp Unit Leader

The YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties is seeking a Unit Leader to join our team. Would you like to change lives by providing an amazing experience for every camper?

At Camp Seymour, you get to teach kids self-reliance, a love for nature and the outdoors, and the development of attitudes and practices that build character and leadership - all amidst the fun of campfires, canoeing, archery, talent shows, and meaningful relationships.

If hired as a Camp Unit Leader, you will live and work at Camp in a cabin/yurt. You will directly supervise, support, and mentor a group of 8-12 cabin staff. You will work organize and implement the overall day camp program.

Key Responsibilities:

• Promote a positive, inclusive environment that fosters fun, safety and our YMCA values. All whilst upholding, modeling, and enforcing camp policies, personnel policies and code of conduct.
• Connect with each camper quickly to make them feel welcome and included. Treat every camper with fairness and equity regardless of circumstances and abilities, making each feel good about themselves and encouraging a fun environment.
• Participate 100% with activities; enjoy playing, and not "sitting on the sidelines", being visible throughout the day, leading transition times and supervising campers.
• Evaluate and investigate individual and group situations to effectively resolve conflicts based on camp values and procedures.
• Identify and support campers who need extra help.
• Supervise staff placed in Unit; which will include coaching, teaching, modeling, reinforcing, assisting with difficult situations and correcting behavior. Establishing, communicating and positively reinforcing performance standards for staff; including mid-summer and end of summer evaluations.
• Make a conscious effort to get to know staff as individuals: interests, working styles, strengths, areas for improvement, ensuring that it is an impactful, enjoyable summer for all staff.
• Help facilitate daily programing, including overnights. Add creativity and variety to the camp program with the help of the camp director and camp staff.
• Take on additional responsibilities with a positive attitude in order to support staff, Units, or camp; these can include: supervising a cabin with campers, facilitating camptivities, standing in for Cabin Leaders at any time, and other responsibilities as mutually agreed upon with a supervisor.

Qualifications:

• A commitment to valuing and promoting diversity, equity, and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Minimum age of 20.
• Two summers previous camp staff experience or equivalent.
• Specialized and practical knowledge of/experience in: cabin leadership, child development, behavior management, peer leadership and supervision; staff management & motivation.
• Positive attitude and previous experience with diverse populations.
• Current First Aid and CPR for duration of the season strongly preferred. Lifeguard certification preferred.
• Able and willing to complete online Child Abuse Prevention training on first day, and other online and in-person training as required.
• Must be able to pass Background and Reference checks (in accordance with the WA State Fair Chance Act).

*This is a Residential position that includes room and board. *

Starting Wage: $480 to $510 per week, depending on qualifications

Date of Employment: June 8th, 2026 - August 21st, 2026

Location: YMCA Camp Seymour, Gig Harbor, WA

Benefits:

• Free Saturdays
• Ability to apply as an internal candidate to a year-round, Full or Part-Time position
• Build lasting connections and employment experience
• Accrue Paid Sick Leave at 1.23 hours for every 40 hours worked

Ignite your Passion, Live the Y Cause, and Join our Team To apply visit our website at www.ymcapkc.org.

The YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties is committed to diversity and inclusion throughout our organization and is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Women/Minority/Veteran/Disabled

Camp Unit Leader Job Description

Position Summary

The Unit Leader directly supervises, supports, and mentors a group of 8-12 cabin staff. Works with Camp Director to organize and implement overall camp program. Provides a quality experience to campers and families focused on YMCA core values: honesty, respect, responsibility, and caring. Represents the YMCA and self in a professional manner of safety and fun.

Key Responsibilities
• Promote a positive environment that fosters fun, safety and our YMCA values, whilst uphold, model, and enforce camp policies, personnel policies and code of conduct.
• Connect with each camper quickly, and make campers feel welcome and included. Treat every camper fairly and equally regardless of circumstances and abilities, making each feel good about themselves and encouraging a fun environment.
• Participate 100% with activities; enjoy playing, and not "sit on the sidelines", being visible throughout the day, leading transition times and supervising campers.
• Recognize individual and group situations and effectively resolve conflicts based on camp values and procedures, helping those campers who need extra help.
• Supervise staff placed in Unit; which will include coaching, teaching, modeling, reinforcing, assisting with difficult situations and correcting behavior. Establishing, communicating and positively reinforcing performance standards for staff; including a mid-summer and end of summer evaluations.
• Make a conscious effort to get to know staff as individuals: interests, working style, strengths, areas for improvement, putting a conscious effort into ensuring that it is an impactful, enjoyable summer for staff too.
• Help facilitate daily programing, including overnights. Add creativity and variety to the camp program with the help of the camp director and camp staff.
• Assume on Duty responsibilities, run meal times, Line ups, make snack, lock up and other responsibilities as mutually agreed upon with a supervisor.
• Meet performance measurement by telling the Y story and raising charitable dollars to fulfill our mission.
• Assist staff leadership team in reaching campaign goals through recruiting campaigners, making personal asks and supporting branch events.
• Staff will be responsible for frequent touchpoint cleaning and sanitizing in specific areas.
• Embraces and actively promotes an inclusive and equitable work environment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Skills and Abilities
• A commitment to valuing and promoting diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Minimum age of 20.
• Two summers previous camp staff experience or equivalent.
• Specialized and practical knowledge of/experience in: cabin leadership, child behavior, peer leadership and supervision; staff management & motivation.
• Integrity, patience, adaptability, sense of humor, enthusiasm, and a commitment to serve youth.
• Ability to train, motivate, support, share insights & ideas with, and supervise resident camp staff; communicate openly with supervisor; organize, facilitate, and evaluate camp, unit, and other activities; support and connect with campers; perform duties as specified in job description and by supervisor; behave as an appropriate positive role model in all camp activities.
• Positive attitude and previous experience with diverse populations.
• Current First Aid and CPR for duration of the season strongly preferred. Lifeguard certification preferred.
• Complete online Child Abuse Prevention training on first day. Complete other online and in-person training as required.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands
• Regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Must frequently lift or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift or move a higher amount.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Must participate in programming outdoors.

Employee Acknowledgement

This job description indicates the general nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions expected of this position. This document is not an exhaustive list and other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or assigned at any time with or without advanced notice.

This job description does not constitute a contract of employment and the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties may exercise employment-at-will rights at any time.

By signing below, you are acknowledging that you have read the document in its entirety and that you understand the requirements, essential functions, and job duties of this position. Further, you acknowledge that you are able to perform the duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation(s), and that should you need assistance, that you are responsible for notifying your Director, Executive Director, and/or Human Resources.

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