Ranger Positions

Rangers are the Zajac Ranch for Children activity leaders. Your job is to make sure that your activity area is as fun and safe as possible, and to make sure that all the campers can participate as fully as possible. Many of our campers don't often get to play outside and some of them have been told they can't do the same things as their friends and siblings - you get the very fulfilling job of showing them they CAN!

Ranger Responsibilities:

• With direction from the Camp Director and Nursing Coordinator, design an activity program that meets the special needs of each camper, following the structures of the Therapeutic Recreational model.
• Create and enforce safety rules for your program area.
• Lead campers in your activity, encouraging participation and a positive attitude, while respecting the "Challenge by Choice" model.
• Maintain equipment and inventory, and keep your working area clean and tidy.
• Provide support to your assigned Cabin group.
• Participate in all camp-wide activities - campfires, theme days, etc.

Ranger Qualifications:

• Able to facilitate an empowering program through encouragement and support.
• Leadership and communication skills.
• Organized and effective.
• Experience with outdoor recreation/camp activities (see program areas below).
• Camper-focused with a professional attitude.

Ranger Positions Available:

• Waterfront - a Ranger with NLS qualifications to act as a Life Guard at our lakefront dock, and in our indoor swimming pool.
• Canoe/Kayak - a Ranger with NLS qualifications to teach campers how to canoe and kayak in the lake.
• Adventure Program - an adventurous Ranger to lead campers through our high and low ropes course and climbing wall.
• Arts and Crafts - a creative Ranger to help campers with arts and crafts projects such as making dream catchers and bracelets, tye dying, etc.
• Archery and Orienteering - a nature-loving Ranger to teach campers archery and lead them in orienteering activities such as hiking, campfire building, etc.
• Drama - a Ranger with dramatic flair and experience to lead campers in skits, drama games, and other performing arts activities.
• Equestrian - a Ranger who has experience working with horses to help care for our horses and ensure that campers have a safe and fun time on horseback.

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Wrangler Positions

Wranglers are the Zajac Ranch for Children cabin counselors. For each camp session, you'll be in charge of a small group of children with special medical needs. This highly rewarding position allows you to interact extensively with children with a wide variety of challenges, many of whom have never been away from home before. A lot of our campers say their Wrangler was the best part of their camp experience!

Wrangler Responsibilities:

• Live in the cabins with the camper groups, serving as a mentor and role model.
• Provide supervision and assistance in all aspects of camp life, including meals, cabin clean-up, hygiene, scheduled medication times, and activities/events.
• Ensure camper safety is always maintained according to safety and emergency procedures.
• Encourage positive interaction between campers and staff, including assisting Rangers during activity sessions.
• Help campers set goals, and provide encouragement and positive reinforcement while respecting the "Challenge by Choice" model.
• Help volunteers integrate and participate in cabin life.
• Work with the Camp Director to resolve conflicts, manage inappropriate behaviour, and enforce camp rules and safety regulations.
• Create a fun and exciting cabin life for campers.

Wrangler Qualifications:

• Able to physically and mentally care for campers on a daily basis.
• Friendly, caring personality.
• Able to apply behaviour management techniques to ensure a caring, positive, and fun experience for all campers.
• Organized and camper-focused.

LIT Wranglers:

Two Wranglers are needed for our Leadership in Training Program, a program to develop leadership skills in teenagers 16-17 years old, both with and without special needs. LIT Wranglers will spend 3 weeks on this program, leading a group of up to 10 LIT Campers in teambuilding, communication, resume development, and job shadowing activities. You will also assist in the development of the program materials. For the remainder of the summer, you'll have the same duties as the other Wranglers - listed above. This is a great opportunity for anyone with leadership and camp experience who wants to further develop their skills.

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Unit Leader

The Unit Leader position carries the responsibility of providing support and leadership to Campers, Wranglers and Volunteers. While overseeing camper and cabin life, the UL must demonstrate effective leadership through role modeling and mentorship. This job will help develop your leadership and communication skills, and give you valuable supervisory experience. Don't worry - you'll still get to play with the kids!

Unit Leader Responsibilities:

• Provide training, support and supervision to Wranglers and camp volunteers.
• Lead a team of camp staff members, acting as a mentor and role model.
• Motivate and encourage staff by providing daily support and guidance.
• Oversee camper and cabin life.
• Be an expert on camp policies and procedures, especially safety and emergency procedures, and exercise them appropriately when required.
• Assist Wranglers in behaviour management with campers when necessary.
• Assist and collaborate with the Camp Director, and Assistant Camp Director

Unit Leader Qualifications:

• Leadership experience, preferably in a camp setting.
• Physical and mental capability of caring for campers.
• Strong skills in conflict resolution and behaviour management.
• Proven organizational and communication skills.
• Professionalism, sensitivity and responsibility.
• Ability to solve problems and effectively manage stressful situations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. When do the jobs start and end?

Most jobs start with Staff Training a week before camp starts. You will then work during the entire summer medical camp term, until August 31st, 2012.

2. I can't commit to working the whole summer. Can I still help out ?

Yes! Every year we have a number of Wranglers, Kitchen Staff and Maintenance Staff who volunteer their time for anything from a few days to a few weeks. Click here to download a Volunteer Application or contact Val McKinnon, Camp Director, for further details.

3. I'm under 19. Can I be a counselor?

You must be 19 or over to work or volunteer as a counselor at Zajac Ranch for Children. However, if you are interested in volunteering as a counselor then you should check out our Leadership in Training Program, where you can develop your leadership skills and help our counselors with camp activities like campfires and theme days.

4. I'm excited about working at the Zajac Ranch, but I don't have any experience with children with specail needs. Is training provided?

In many ways, working at Zajac Ranch for Children is like working at any summer camp: camp staff deal with homesickness, disputes between campers, minor cuts and bruises, and a lot of fun activities. However, there are extra things to be aware of when your campers have serious and chronic illnesses and disabilities. We provide over a week of staff training, covering emergency procedures, safety, and behaviour management.

Before each camp session, the Camp Director and Nursing Director will tell you all about the campers you're about to meet. They'll let you know the challenges the campers face, the most common issues with medication, mobility, communication, or behaviour, and how to deal with them.

Best of all, you're not alone! The Camp Director and Assistant Camp Director are there to help, with daily staff meetings to give you advice and support. Plus, for any medical issues, there's a 24 hour on site Medical Centre staffed by volunteer doctors and nurses. You don't need to be an expert on special needs, just a caring, patient person who loves kids and summer camp!

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Download Staff Application Form Here