Summer Camp Director – Varley Art Gallery

Summer Camp Director – Varley Art Gallery

City of Markham invites applications for the Summer Camp Director position at the Varley Art Gallery. This leadership role oversees art‑focused day camps for children aged 4 to 12, held at the gallery and McKay Art Centre.

Duration of Position: 18 weeks;
May 5 to Sept 5, 2026.

Part‑time May–June 2026;
Full‑time July–Sept 2026.

CA $22.60 /hr – CA $22.60 /hr

You will manage all aspects of camp operations, including program planning, delivery, and administration. You will lead a dedicated team of art instructors, counselors, and volunteers, ensuring a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment. Collaboration with other camp directors within the City of Markham ensures consistency in policies and processes. You will help children develop new skills, build friendships, and gain confidence in a vibrant artistic community.

• Oversee summer day camps at the Varley Art Gallery and McKay Art Centre.
• Supervise children (ages 4‑12) and coach a team of art instructors, counselors, and volunteers.
• Maintain consistency in camp policies, procedures, and training.
• Plan and coordinate staff training, schedules, resources, and procedures.
• Review and approve daily plans to align with safety and program objectives.
• Manage day‑to‑day operations, ensuring activities are safe and of high quality.
• Implement safety risk management and respond to incidents.
• Foster a positive, inclusive team environment and motivate staff.
• Develop themed weeks or projects to enhance camper experience.
• Work with Inclusion Coordinator to accommodate campers with special needs.
• Liaise with parents, providing timely communication and resolving issues.
• Mentor, train, and recognize staff and volunteers; conduct performance assessments.
• Assist with recruitment, screening, and scheduling of camp staff and volunteers.
• Control inventory of supplies and equipment, ensuring adherence to City policies.
• Manage camp purchases within budget and City guidelines.
• Maintain documentation: registration, attendance, permission forms, incident reports.
• Provide end‑of‑session report with feedback and recommendations.
• Support marketing efforts; help create promotional content or social media posts.
• Collect and incorporate feedback from campers and parents.
• Coordinate logistics of special events such as exhibitions and end‑of‑camp performances.
• Perform other duties as required.

• Completed a minimum of 2 years post‑secondary education in Visual Arts, Art History, Education, or a related field.
• At least two summers of experience in a senior supervisory role at a camp or similar setting.
• Strong knowledge of program planning, child development, and best practices for age‑appropriate art activities.
• Proficiency in arts practices, techniques, tools, and materials; ability to lead and teach art projects.
• Knowledge of inclusive programming and experience with children with special needs is an asset.
• Proven leadership skills in coaching, mentoring, and motivating a team.
• Experience organizing art exhibitions or displays for campers.
• Current Standard First Aid with CPR‑C certification required.
• HIGH FIVE® Healthy Child Development certification required; HIGH FIVE Quest 2 is an asset.
• Safe Management Training or similar crisis intervention training is an asset.
• Strong computer skills:
  Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and Benchmark; XPLOR or other camp software is an asset.
• Ability to work in diverse indoor/outdoor environments; manage varying conditions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong focus on customer service, especially parent relationships.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong conflict resolution and problem‑solving skills.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive, welcoming, and supportive environment.
• Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple tasks.
• Commitment to full‑time work during the summer program, including pre‑camp training.

• Leadership and motivation.
• Safety & risk management.
• Team building.
• Judgment and decision‑making.
• Customer service focus.
• Organization and planning.
• Problem solving.

All offers of employment for this position will be conditional on satisfactory reference checks and vulnerable sector screening checks as required for the City of Markham. The City of Markham is committed to inclusive, accessible, and barrier‑free employment practices and to creating a workplace that reflects and supports the diversity of the community we serve. Please let us know if you require an accommodation and we will work with you to ensure a barrier‑free hiring process.

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