Summer Camp Jobs 2026

We’re on the lookout!

We’re looking for great staff!

A fantastic Summer Camp Job awaits!

If you’ve ever wanted to make a real difference in the lives of kids, this is your opportunity. For over 100 years, the staff of Sparrow Lake Camp in Ontario, Canada have had the summer job of a lifetime. Now you can too!

Available Positions:

  • Boys Cabin Counsellors

  • Head Counsellor (B.A., currently enrolled in Teacher’s College or related field)

  • Kitchen Staff

Staff Application

How We Hire, Train, and Support Our Team

At Sparrow Lake Camp, staff are more than employees—they are role models, mentors, and community builders.

What We Look For

We hire people who are going to put kids first, who take responsibility seriously, and who understand that camp is about community as much as it is about fun.

We look for:

  • Kindness and patience

  • Confidence and warmth

  • Good judgment and accountability

  • A willingness to learn and grow

  • Respect for difference and shared community values

  • The ability to work as part of a team

Skills matter—but character matters more.

The Application and Vetting Process

All prospective staff go through a careful and intentional hiring process.

This includes:

  • A detailed written application

  • 2 interviews

  • Reference checks

  • Criminal background check and Vulnerable Sector Screening

  • Verification of relevant certifications and experience

Hiring decisions are based on how you show up, your experience, your alignment with our values, and are made in accordance with our commitment to equal opportunity and non-discrimination.

Training Before Camp Begins

Before campers arrive, all staff participate in extensive pre-camp training. This training prepares staff not only for activities and schedules, but for the real work of camp: caring for children and building healthy community.

Training covers:

  • Camper supervision and safety

  • Emergency procedures and medical care

  • Inclusion, belonging, and community-building

  • Behaviour guidance and conflict prevention

  • Professional conduct and boundaries

  • Communication with campers, peers, and leadership

Staff are trained to prevent problems whenever possible, respond calmly when challenges arise, and seek support when needed.

Training Is Ongoing

Learning at camp doesn’t stop once the summer begins.

Throughout the season, staff receive:

  • Ongoing coaching and feedback

  • Leadership support and check-ins

  • Opportunities to reflect, ask questions, and improve

We believe well-supported staff are better staff—and better staff create better experiences for campers.

Our Shared Responsibility


Working at Sparrow Lake Camp means being part of a community built on respect, trust, and accountability. We expect professionalism, kindness, and care for one another, just as we expect it in our work with campers.