Les camps d'été offrent des expériences enrichissantes pour les enfants de 5 à 17 ans.
1. Types of summer camps in Quebec
There are two main types of summer camps for children in Quebec:
Day camps (camp de jour): the child returns home each evening — similar to a summer daycare. Organized by cities, community organizations, sports centres or private companies. Generally Monday–Friday, 9 am–4 or 5 pm, with extended care available. Children do sports, arts, aquatic activities and outdoor activities.
Overnight camps (camp de vacances / camp de nuit): residential camp where the child lives at camp for one or two weeks. Often in forests or by lakes. Generally for children aged 8–17.
2. Costs and financial aid
Summer camp costs vary by type and organizer:
| Type | Weekly cost |
|---|---|
| Municipal / community day camp (Montréal) | $150–350 |
| Private or specialized day camp (sports, music, arts, science) | $300–600+ |
| Overnight residential camp | $800–2,000/week |
Financial aid available: - Municipal subsidies — Montréal boroughs offer grants for municipal camps, on request - Québec en Forme and other provincial organizations: camp bursaries - Federal and provincial tax credits for children's physical and artistic activities - Community organizations (local Centraide) can help fund camp participation for families in need - Some residential camps have their own bursary funds — ask directly
3. How to register your child
Registrations for popular summer camps — whether municipal or residential — often begin as early as January or February for the summer season.
For Montréal municipal camps: each borough has its own registration forms and deadlines — the Ville de Montréal website centralizes information by borough.
For residential overnight camps: the Association des camps du Québec organizes a Camp Fair (Salon des camps) in January or February where you can meet representatives from dozens of residential camps in one place.
For private camps outside the municipal circuit, sites like Jasmin Roy or LocalSurf aggregate private camp offers in your region.
Most camps accept children from age 5–6 for day camps and age 7–8 for residential camps.
4. See also
These related guides may be useful:
- Hockey and organized sports for children in Quebec — after-school sports activities.
- Activities for babies and toddlers in Quebec — for younger children.
- Immigrant family budget — planning camp costs in your budget.
5. Official sources
For Montréal municipal camps and subsidies: montreal.ca. For residential camps: Association des camps du Québec — campquebec.qc.ca. For camp bursaries: Québec en Forme and local Centraide organizations.
Author's Note: Quebec residential overnight camps have a very strong tradition — Quebecers remember their camp summers as formative experiences. For an immigrant child looking for friends and beginning to learn French, a residential camp is often one of the most effective linguistic and social immersions. One or two weeks at a forest camp can do more for a child's social integration than an entire school year.
