Cooking Program Head

Be the Spark! Join our dynamic Day Camp team, where every day is different, and you will always be engaged with meaningful work!

Cooking Program Heads play an integral role in ensuring every child can participate in a high-quality Y-Cook program. The role is responsible for the direct setup and facilitation of the program, including understanding recipes, program content, safety procedures, and maintaining a clean kitchen environment. Responsibilities include planning and coordinating program activities, creating grocery lists, ordering food, and addressing dietary or allergy considerations. When not facilitating the Y-Cook program, the Cooking Program Head assists as secondary staff with the camper group and supports camp operations in all areas as needed. 

 In this role, you will:

• Plan and oversee the Y-Cook program to ensure safe and effective delivery of all activities


• Assist in budgeting and ordering food for the program to support smooth operations


• Provide knowledge regarding ingredient substitutions and dietary or allergy restrictions


• Prepare the kitchen space, supplies, and food prior to the start of the program


• Require understanding of cooking techniques and kitchen terminology, demonstrating comfort and competence in the kitchen environment


• Ensure Health & Safety procedures are followed and maintained, contributing to the cleaning, safety, and maintenance of camp sites


• Provide overall camp support by assisting with break coverage and filling in for absent staff


• Attend all staff trainings and meetings, arrive on time, and actively participate to contribute to the development of all camp staff


•  Act as a positive role model for campers and staff by embodying YMCA values, policies, procedures, Day Camp guidelines, and Ontario Camping Association standards


• Perform other duties as assigned

 You bring:

• Post-secondary education (completed or currently enrolled preferred) or equivalent experience


• Standard First Aid & CPR-C, valid from the first day of employment until at least the last day of the contract


• Minimum 1 year of experience working in a camp environment


• Food Handler’s certificate valid until the last day of the contract


• Experience with YMCA Day Camps is an asset


• Experience in cooking, baking, and instructing lessons is an asset


• Ability to use frequent light to medium physical effort, including lifting up to 50 lbs. by bending, carrying, pushing, and pulling


• Demonstrated ability to work well both independently and in a team environment


• Well-developed interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish rapport and communicate effectively with families, staff, and volunteers


• Excellent communication skills and the ability to lead a group of children


• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and building a sense of belonging

 What you need to succeed:  

• Commitment to the YMCA’s Mission, Vision and Values


• Focus on the health, safety and wellbeing of all children, youth, and vulnerable people in YMCA programs including understanding legal and moral obligations related to reporting suspected child abuse to Child Protection Services


• YMCA Competencies: Accountable, Relationship-Builder, Improvement-Orientated, Team Player & Leader, Equity and Wellbeing Promoter

Why work for the YMCA?  

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity that ignites the potential in people, helping them grow, lead, and give back to their communities. We are committed to helping our employees reach their full potential and are recognized as a great place to work. We offer meaningful jobs and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of our communities. See what you can expect from the YMCA here.  

Joining the Y means contributing to over 170 years of providing opportunities for people to shine through programs and services, such as health and fitness, licensed child care, camps, employment and immigrant services, education and training, and services for youth, families, and seniors. Learn more in our 2025–2030 strategic plan, Greater Together, which outlines how we are focused on building communities where people feel healthier and more connected to their neighbours.  

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. We strive to remove barriers to employment and recognize that diverse staff who reflect the communities we work in enrich the experiences of our participants and our team. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite applications from all qualified candidates including racialized people/people of colour, Indigenous Peoples, disabled people/people with disabilities and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.  

If we can make the recruitment process more accessible for you, please let us know when we reach out about a job opportunity so we can work with you to accommodate your needs.  

In keeping with our commitment to safety and child protection, job offers are contingent on the successful completion of a Police Records Check. Within the first four months and every three years thereafter, a Vulnerable Police Records Check is required. Learn more about these checks here.  

The YMCA only considers applicants who are legally entitled to work in Canada. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, due to the volume of applications we receive, we can only contact candidates who are selected for an interview.  

Check out the next steps in our recruitment process and see what others are saying about working at the YMCA.