For many young Canadians, summer camp employment offers an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and build lasting friendships. However, counsellors increasingly report high-stress working conditions, long hours, and limited time off, leading to burnout and concerns about labour law compliance.

Hannah Crilly, 21, experienced these challenges firsthand during her role as a counsellor and manager at an Ontario hockey camp four summers ago. She described working extended hours for pay that at times fell below minimum wage, with little uninterrupted rest. Crilly recalled falling ill during the final week of camp, finding temporary relief only when she was allowed to isolate away from the usual sleeping quarters shared with campers. The brief respite was the longest period of time off she had in weeks, despite provincial employment standards requiring more substantial breaks.

“The exhaustion was such that my body just gave out,” said Crilly, a former hockey goalie and current Trent University student. She noted that even when breaks were granted, much of the time was spent anticipating upcoming responsibilities. Nonetheless, she acknowledged positive aspects of the experience, remarking that “it’s kind of hard not to find some fun moments” at camp.

Toronto-based advocate Nadia Sapiro highlights that Crilly’s experience is not unique. After witnessing a teenager forced to leave a camp position owing to exhaustion, Sapiro founded the Ontario Association of Camp Counsellors to educate workers about their rights and inform camps about their legal obligations. Sapiro contends that while camp counsellor duties have become more demanding, industry practices and labour protections have lagged behind.

A key concern is Ontario’s Employment Standards Act exemption allowing camps to pay student employees below minimum wage and forgo overtime pay. Ontario is the only province including for-profit camps in this exception, a factor credited with contributing to the province’s expansive camping industry. Meanwhile, British Columbia stands out for establishing minimum daily wage rates for live-in camp leaders.

Sapiro also raises concerns about camps hiring temporary foreign workers under a federal program that does not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment. This pathway can place foreign counsellors in vulnerable positions, as many are unaware of their employment rights.

The Ontario Camps Association said it is aware of questions about labour standards in overnight camp operations and is reviewing them while supporting member camps during the summer season.

Employment lawyer Jeremy Herman of Samfiru Tumarkin LLP emphasized that, despite wage exemptions, camps must comply with statutory break requirements. In Ontario, employees are entitled to at least 30 minutes off every five hours, 11 hours off each workday, and 24 hours off per workweek. Herman noted that any agreement to waive these rights would be illegal, though employees may hesitate to assert them due to power imbalances.

Similar legislation on breaks exists in other provinces, but enforcement and standards vary. An Alberta counsellor, who requested anonymity citing fears of employer retribution, described being on-call six days a week at a non-profit overnight outdoor education camp. She shared quarters with young campers and frequently sacrificed breaks to maintain mandatory staffing levels aimed at preventing abuse. The challenging environment, coupled with escalated behavioral issues following management changes, led to emotional distress within the staff.

Despite these difficulties, the counsellor expressed a passion for assisting children’s engagement with nature and recalled memorable moments such as leading backpacking trips and campfire activities that brought joy to participants.

In Manitoba, former counsellor and HR manager Nick Wasiuta reflected on his own mixed experience working at a Christian overnight camp from 2011 to 2014. While cherishing positive memories and friendships from his youth, he acknowledged the grueling work schedule, including limited breaks and infrequent days off. Wasiuta believes better understanding of the psychological importance of rest could have helped him advocate for improved conditions. He described his summers at camp as simultaneously some of the best and most difficult of his life.

The accounts from across Canada point to systemic challenges facing summer camp counsellors, underscoring calls for clearer enforcement of labour protections and improved mental health supports within the sector.