Montréal day camps: a local experience for your kids
Laure Juilliard
Each summer, from the end of June to the end of August, most Montréal kids with working parents go to day camps. Think of it as summer camp in the city, with kids coming back home in the evening, and a bonafide North American tradition that would appeal to young tourists. Bringing you crew to Montréal this summer? If your kids are interested in experiencing Québécois culture, want to dive deeper into subjects they’re passionate about or learn a new language – while you are out exploring the city – we’ve put together a selection of fun and safe day camps, most of which are certified by the
Association des camps du Québec. Please note that some camps are very popular and fill up quickly once registration begins.
Your primer on Montréal day camps
Registration period: usually at the beginning of the year for the summer in question. Each camp has its own registration policy.
When camp takes place: during summer vacation for Québécois kids, from June 24 to August 23, 2024, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Around $300 weekly or, in some cases, you can pay for a daily “à la carte” rate starting at $64. Each camp has its own pricing policy.
Childcare service: In addition to the day camp, childcare service is offered before and after camp for an extra fee. Each camp has its own pricing policy.
Lunch box: You’ll need to pack them a tiny picnic that includes a water bottle, cold meal and snacks for the day. This is a must, but some camps offer a catering service for the week for an additional fee.
Stuff they’ll need: You’ll receive an e-mail before camp begins letting you everything your child needs (sunscreen, bathing suit, water shoes, etc.).
Health insurance: It is very important that you make sure your child is covered by valid health insurance in Québec before starting day camp.
Multitheme day camps
Camp Yopi at Pensionnat du Saint-Nom-de-Marie
628 Côte-Sainte-Catherine Road | website
Situated in an early 20th-century building in beautiful Outremont, Camp YOPI offers many activities to divert and education your children. Sports, visual arts, theatre arts, storytelling, magic, roleplaying and adventure, dance, science: there’s absolutely something for everyone!
Extras: catering service available (certified by the Ordre professionnel des diététistes du Québec) and childcare service included in the base price.
Age: 4 to 15 years old
Language: French
Price: Starting at $375 a week
Certified: Yes
Multisport camps
Camp Edphy International at Villa Maria College
4245 Décarie Boulevard| website
In the neighbourhood of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, right next to the upscale city of Westmount, a number of multisport and theme camps are offered in an enchanting setting that includes an immense green space for outdoor sports, an outdoor pool, tennis courts, an archery field, science labs, recording studio, a climbing wall and much more. Offered in English and French, it gives your child a chance to buff up their skills in either language.
Extras: Everything and everyone bilingual
Age: 4 to 15 years old
Language: French
Price: Starting at $269 a week
Certified: Yes
Photography day camps
Entrequatreyeux photography camp
218 Notre Dame Street West | website
Your child can learn new techniques in a professional photo studio in the inspiring setting of Old Montréal. The camp monitors are photographers and image experts and the camp provides all necessary materials.
Extras: Weekly or “à la carte” registration for a few days only
Age: 8 to 10 years old (kid Kodak) and tweens/teens 10 to 16 years old (camp-photo-teens)
Language: French
Price: Starting at $325 a week
Certified: Yes
Nature, science and environment camps
Les Amis de la montagne Summer Day Camp on Mount Royal at the Beaver Lake Pavilion
2000 Remembrance Road | website
At the heart of the magnificent Mount Royal Park, kids can spend a week or two surrounded by the mountain’s flora and fauna. Through hikes, group games and nature exploration activities, they will also have a better understand of nature, conservation issues and how to take care of it, especially by working together.
Extras: a very charming verdant setting
Age: 6 to 12 years old
Language: French
Price: Starting at $260 a week
Certified: Yes
Space For Life Day Camps at the Botanical Garden or Biodôme
4101 Sherbrooke Street East | website
Budding nature and natural science lovers can participate in a wide range of educational activities related to botany, entomology, ornithology, geology, astronomy, biology and ecology. Combined with sports activities and games, this camp offers your kids a camp a dynamic learning experience.
Extras: Two-week camps are generally offered at a great price
Age: 7 to 12 years old
Language: French
Price: Starting at $275 a week or $457 for two weeks
Certified: Yes
Language day camps
Camp Langmobile at École des Premières Lettre
5210 Waverly Street | website
At the heart of the tree-lined and trendy Mile End, this language camp invites kids to enjoy an immersive English day camp experience. They’ll dive into the language for the entire day with discovery-focussed activities where they can express themselves, collaborate and create, all in English!
Extras: 100% English immersion and catering service available.
Age: 4 to 12 years old
Language: English
Price: Starting from $255 a week
Certified: Yes
Art day camps
Livart day camp
3980 Saint-Denis Street | website
In a Plateau Mont-Royal art centre, kids can learn about different media and art trends. Each week, the camp celebrates the visual and cultural world of a renowned artist and young artists discover them though creative workshops and cultural exploration activities. Older kids have the opportunity to discover many artists and different visual art practices. Also on the program: yoga, an indoor courtyard to play in, water games on the rooftop terrace, daily outings to the park and a spectacular vernissage at week’s end.
Extras: Weekly or à la carte registration
Age: 4 to 12 years old
Language: French
Price: Starting at $295 a week
Certified: Yes
Canadian Centre for Architecture Day Camp
1920 Baile Street | Website
In a setting steeped in history and a modern reflection on architecture, children discover more about the built environment and design through a wide range of activities. Through visits, activities and games that will inspire their creativity, little campers will develop a design project that they will present at the end of their camp week.
A plus: the bilingual atmosphere
Age: 7 to 11 years
Language: French and English
Price: from $300 per week
Certified: no
Laure Juilliard
Originally from Paris, Laure Juilliard made Montréal her home over 15 years ago and has never looked back. Won over by her new city's unique energy, cultural vibrancy and gastronomic effervescence, she loves exploring all the coolest spots. A writer and blogger specialising in lifestyle, culture, travel and gastronomy, she has lent her pen to Tourisme Montréal for more than 10 years, in addition to magazines such as ELLE Québec and Clin d'œil, as well as a variety of well-known companies and agencies. Always on the lookout for innovative concepts and the best addresses wherever she is in the world, she is also always planning her next trip.