Job Title: Water Ski Counsellor
Reports To: Counselling Director/Waterski Coordinator/Counselling Coordinator-PCR/Section Head
Number of Positions Available: 4
Counsellors play a key role in ensuring every camper feels supported, engaged, and valued. This includes offering one-on-one attention, finding creative ways to keep campers involved, and providing personal care when needed.
Being a Counsellor requires a balance of strong personal and professional skills. Counsellors working with younger campers must demonstrate patience, maturity, and a nurturing approach to handle situations such as homesickness or bedtime routines. Those leading older campers need confident communication, leadership, and discipline skills to maintain a positive and productive group dynamic.
Counsellors have long but rewarding days and make one of the biggest impacts on a camper’s overall experience. They are responsible for upholding and modelling the HOC Principles of Respect, reinforcing camp and activity safety expectations, and ensuring proper equipment use at all times.
Water Ski Counsellors spend their activity time down on the ski docks, teaching classes and assisting our Water Ski Instructors. Water Ski Counsellors work in four different camper sections, assisting with the Overnight Water Ski Program, helping to shuttle campers to and from programming and ensuring the smooth operation of the docks. Those in this role are encouraged to develop their skills to become future Water Ski Instructors at HOC.
DAILY / WEEKLY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide supervision to campers while at camp during meals, activities, free time, evenings, and overnight.
- Provide one-on-one support to campers.
- Help plan and execute camp-wide activities with campers.
- Lead and instruct a water ski class of 8-12 campers, during each activity period of the day (2).
- Prepare weekly camper evaluations for instructed activity classes.
- Assist with the facilitation of the Overnight Water Ski Program when required.
- Complete daily attendance sheets and headcounts for each instructed activity class.
- Directly supervise a single cabin group of 8-12 campers and cooperatively an entire section of 20-40 campers.
ALL STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES
- Attend and participate in the Spring Training Weekend.
- All staff are required to deliver every day our Brand Promise, “Best Summer Of Your Life”, in each camper and staff interaction. Guided by our four core principles: Community, Leadership, Accountability, and Performance.
- All staff are expected to abide by and enforce the camp guidelines of respect. These are the rules and expectations of behaviour implemented to maintain a fun and safe camp environment.
- All staff are responsible for the safety and security of each camper in their care. Staff are to follow prescribed program standards and lesson plans in order to ensure the highest level of care and instruction.
- Attendance for all staff at the June orientation week training is mandatory. This training period is where each staff member will receive essential employment information and training for a successful summer experience.
- Participation in camp-wide special events (Evening Programs, All Camp Activities, Campfires, and Friday Finale) and weekly meetings is an expectation of all staff members.
- The dynamic nature of summer camp demands that each staff member understand that additional duties may be assigned as required.
SUMMER BENEFITS AND TIME OFF
- Room & Board Provided.
- Weekly Staff Hockey (schedule dependent) & Water Skiing.
- Staff working a full eight-week contract period are entitled to one weekend off (Friday after daily duties to Sunday Discover HOC).
- Time off weekly - Tuesday or Wednesday evening (in-house) & Saturday evening.
- Time off daily - depending on section schedules.
- Access to program and recreation equipment.
- The chance to work in a close-knit, supportive community that values staff health and wellness, creativity, and employee success.
- The opportunity to develop life skills applicable to multi-faceted career opportunities.
- An experience that will last a lifetime.
EMPLOYMENT PERIOD
Staff Orientation / Training: TBD
Employment Period: June 28, 2026 – August 22, 2026
Optional Employment: Week #9 August 23 – 29, 2026
Wages: Summer wages vary depending on age, qualifications and experience of applicants. Room and board are included.
QUALIFICATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS
Qualifications:
- Minimum age 16 and enrolled in Grade 11 or higher.
- Strong interest in working with children and in developing water ski instruction skills.
- Experience engaging and communicating with children of various ages (camp experience an asset).
- Enthusiastic, energetic, and positive attitude.
- Willingness to participate in activities beyond primary responsibilities.
Certifications:
- Canadian Water Ski Instructor’s Course (CWSIC) is mandatory upon hiring.
- Bronze Cross (NL preferred).
- Emergency First Aid and CPR.
- Respect in Sport certification.