Work at Rainbow Camp®
🌈 Summer 2026 Staff Team

Join the team that makes Rainbow Camp® possible.

Each year, Rainbow Camp® brings together a diverse, youth-focused staff team to create a safe, empowering, and fun camp for 2SLGBTQ+ and allied youth. If you’re passionate about camp, community, and queer/trans youth, we’d love to hear from you.

8–10 weeks of full-time employment
Pay grid starts at Ontario minimum wage
Travel, room & board & training provided
Priority application deadline: February 1, 2026. Applications may be accepted after this date to fill available positions.
At a glance
Who can apply
All staff must be 18 years of age or older, legally eligible to work in Canada, and willing to submit a Vulnerable Sector Police Screening.
What’s provided
Travel support (up to $500 CAD), room and board, and training are provided for successful applicants during the camp season.
Where & when
Rainbow Camp® is located about an hour from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Staff live on-site for the season and are part of day-to-day camp life.
Working at Rainbow Camp®

What it means to join the Rainbow Camp® staff team.

Working at Rainbow Camp® is more than a summer job. Staff support 2SLGBTQ+ and allied youth in a Brave Space where campers can explore their identities, make friends, and feel celebrated for who they are.

Our staff team includes:

  • Leadership Team (Directors and specialists)
  • Site Staff (kitchen, maintenance, housekeeping)
  • Counsellors and Program Staff (including lifeguards and wilderness trip staff)

There are several rounds of hiring so we can compose the best possible team for our campers. Applicants may hear from us close to the beginning of camp; we appreciate your patience as you anticipate our response.

Leadership & Site Staff

Leadership Team and Site Staff positions.

Leadership Team members keep daily operations running smoothly, while Site Staff ensure we’re well-fed and that our physical site is ready for campers.

Leadership team

Leadership positions include:

  • Assistant Director*
  • Program Director
  • Medic
  • Camper Support Services Specialist
  • Administrator / Volunteer Coordinator*

*Assistant Director and Administrator / Volunteer Coordinator may begin part-time in January.

Site staff

Site Staff positions include:

  • Head Cook
  • Kitchen Assistant
  • Maintenance / Grounds Staff
  • Housekeeping

Some positions may remain open later in the season (for example, Head Cook or Kitchen Assistant) and will be indicated as “still accepting applications” in hiring updates.

Counsellors & Program Staff

Counsellor and Program Staff roles.

Counsellors act as caregivers and role models for our campers. They play a dual role: supporting cabin life and helping deliver the magic of camp programming.

Counsellor & program roles

Possible roles include:

  • Lifeguard
  • Program Facilitator
  • Wilderness Trip Facilitator (Quest)
  • Media Specialist

All counsellors:

  • Assist during programs and activities.
  • Co-lead reflection and debrief times.
  • Participate in skits, campfire activities, and evening programs.
  • Lead or support large group games and events.
  • Create a welcoming, inclusive environment so every camper has a memorable week.

Counsellors sleep in cabins with campers and work alongside a co-counsellor. Cabin assignments may change weekly as needed.

Core values

What guides our work at Rainbow Camp®.

Our staff team doesn’t just deliver programs — they embody the values that make Rainbow Camp® a Brave Space for campers.

Inclusivity
We make every camper feel welcomed, seen, and validated, regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, or other aspects of who they are. Staff are role models of this value.
Diversity
We respect and celebrate the full spectrum of identities within 2SLGBTQ+ communities and allies as they emerge and evolve.
Joy
Summer camp should be fun and memorable. We design activities and opportunities that help campers explore interests and build new skills with a lot of laughter along the way.
Self-expression
We encourage self-discovery and growth of authentic selves, and help campers find the confidence and tools to express who they are — at camp and at home.
Community
We cultivate an accepting, supportive community where campers can form lifelong friendships and gain tools to be more engaged in their own communities.
Inspiration & Education
We aim to inspire campers to be confident and to speak up for themselves, and we provide educational programming with clear learning objectives that foster understanding and acceptance of 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
2026 season

2026 Important Dates for Staff.

Staff are expected to be available for the full season unless other arrangements are made in advance.

Leadership Team Training
June 16 – 21, 2026
Mandatory for all Leadership Staff, including: Director, Assistant Director, Program Director, Administrator / Volunteer Coordinator, Medic, and Camper Support Services Specialist.
All Staff Training
June 23 – July 4, 2026
Mandatory for all staff. Training covers counselling skills, risk management, team-building, program facilitation, camper wellbeing, and emergency procedures.
Rainbow Camp® Season
July 6 – August 15, 2026
All staff are expected to be available for the full camp season unless arrangements are made in advance.
Camp Closing
August 17 – 22, 2026
All staff help wrap up the season, store equipment, and close down the camp site.
Location & travel

Where you’ll be working.

Rainbow Camp® is located approximately one hour from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

Staff members are expected to live on site during the camp season. Shared accommodations are provided and may include:

  • Sleeping in a cabin with campers.
  • Occasional outdoor sleep-outs as part of program.

Travel costs (up to $500 CAD) are covered for all successful applicants. If you are flying, Rainbow Camp® does not cover costs for travel to/from the airport or extra fees (excess luggage, missed flights, etc.).

Qualifications

Certifications and training.

Each position has specific qualifications listed in its position description. It’s the responsibility of staff to hold all necessary certifications by the start of employment and to ensure they remain current for the full season.

If you do not hold the required certifications prior to arrival, Rainbow Camp® may terminate your contract or assign you to an alternative position.

Rainbow Camp® does not pay part-time or seasonal employees for time spent in certification courses, but we do offer partial reimbursement for some required courses.

Screening

Criminal Background Check.

All Rainbow Camp® staff require a Vulnerable Sector Check as a condition of employment. Checks are obtained through your local police records division and are at your expense.

If you have a previous criminal record check from work or volunteering that is less than 12 months old (from the start of employment), you do not need a new one but will need to sign a declaration confirming no changes or disclosing any changes.

Failure to provide a criminal record check, or providing one that is unacceptable for employment, will result in immediate termination of your employment contract.

We acknowledge that police departments have a long history of targeting 2SLGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities. If you’d like support navigating the police check process in a safe and equitable way, please reach out and we’ll work with you.

On-the-job details

Time off, payroll, and evaluations.

Rainbow Camp® follows the Employment Standards Act of Ontario for staff discipline and termination. All staff are treated fairly and equitably in regard to expectations and policies.

Additional administrative details:

  • Days Off: Staff receive one 24-hour period off each week. You may stay on site or leave camp property (at your own expense).
  • Breaks: Staff are assigned two breaks per full workday.
  • Payment of Wages: Wages are paid every two weeks.
  • Evaluations: Staff receive weekly evaluations from a member of the Leadership Team.

All staff agree to follow Staff Policies and Emergency Procedures. Violations may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of contract.

If a staff member’s travel changes because of termination or leaving early, Rainbow Camp® is not responsible for additional travel costs (transportation off site, hotel, new travel bookings, etc.). Limited exceptions may be made on compassionate grounds by the Executive Director.

Staff FAQ

Common questions about working at Rainbow Camp®.

What positions are you hiring for?

We are hiring for three main groups of positions:

Leadership positions:

  • Assistant Director
  • Camp Administrator
  • Program Director
  • Medic
  • Camper Support Services Specialist

Counsellor / Programming positions:

  • Lifeguards
  • Wilderness Trip Facilitators
  • Program Facilitators
  • Media Specialists

Site Staff:

  • Head Cook
  • Kitchen Assistants
  • Maintenance
  • Housekeeping

A full list of positions and detailed job descriptions is available in our Employment Package. Current hiring updates (such as “still accepting applications”) appear at the top of this page.

I don’t live near Sault Ste. Marie. Can I still work at Rainbow Camp®?

Yes. You do not need to live in the Sault Ste. Marie area to work at Rainbow Camp®.

Rainbow Camp® covers up to $500 CAD in travel costs for all hired staff to get to and from camp. You must still be legally eligible to work in Canada.

How do I apply, and when are applications due?

Applications are completed online using our CampBrain portal:

https://rainbowcamp.campbrainstaff.com/

For the strongest chance of your preferred position being available, we recommend applying by February 1, 2026. Applications may be accepted after this date to fill any remaining positions.

We appreciate applicants’ patience as they await our response.

How will I know if I’ve been selected for an interview?

Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted by email to schedule a date and time. Interviews are usually conducted by video call using Zoom.

If you require a different communication method for accessibility reasons, please let us know and we’ll do our best to accommodate.

I’m an ally. Can I still apply to work at Rainbow Camp®?

Yes. Rainbow Camp® does not require staff, campers, or volunteers to “verify” 2SLGBTQ+ identity in order to be part of camp.

We welcome strong allies on our staff team and promote a culture where we are all allies to one another, regardless of how we identify. What matters is your commitment to creating a safe, affirming space for 2SLGBTQ+ youth.

Who can I contact with questions about working at Rainbow Camp®?

If you have questions about roles, applications, or the hiring process, please reach out:

Phone: 1-888-909-2234
Email: Rainbow Camp Director, Lisa Bergman (they/them) – lbergman [at] welcomefriend.ca

You can also contact us through the main Welcome Friend Association channels listed on the website.

Ready to spend Summer 2026 at Rainbow Camp®?

If you’re excited about supporting 2SLGBTQ+ and allied youth in a Brave Space on a Northern Ontario lake, we’d love for you to apply. Your skills, lived experience, and heart for this work matter.

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