By Kena Herod and Kristina Edson
Those jazz singers crooning “summertime and the living is easy”
clearly aren’t referring to Montreal’s camp scene, where
a slew of new programs are currently being developed and set to
make their debut at the end of the school year. From filmmaking
and cheerleading to science and art, young people will have a
wide array of choices when it comes to new summer camps. Just
keep in mind that all this variety doesn’t mean you can wait until
the last minute to make a decision; camp registration is happening
now and popular weeks, often those early in the summer, tend to
fill up quickly. And do call to confirm details as new programs
sometimes make last-minute adjustments to their schedules. Enjoy
the summer!
Chef a la Carte
This recently-opened West Island cooking school will be hosting weekly camp sessions where kids learn to plan and cook simple meals as well as make desserts, ice cream and bread. Campers will cook their own lunches each day and return home with samples of what they created.
Dates: July 5 - Aug. 28
Location: 3530 Sources Blvd., D.D.O.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ages: 7-15
Prices: $500 a week, with discounts for those who enrol more than one child or for more
than one week.
Registration and information:
(514) 685-2220, www.chefalacarteml.com
CUTV Summer Video Boot Camp
Teens with an interest in film can explore movie making at Concordia University’s student-run television station, CUTV. Campers will be teamed with experienced filmmakers and media professionals from the Montreal area to learn the skills needed to start making movies. All equipment is provided and tuition scholarships are available for low-income families.
Dates: July 6-18
Location: Concordia University Television,
2110 Mackay St., Montreal
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ages: 15 and up
Prices: $250 for two weeks.
Registration and information: (514) 848-2424 ext. 7403,
www.summervideobootcamp.com
CEPSUM Sports Camps
The Université de Montreal’s sports centre, known as the CEPSUM, is offering three new camps in French: Kinball (campers play games with a giant ball called a Kinball); Cuistot sportif (campers learn about nutrition and sports education by cooking in the morning and doing various sports in the afternoon; and Cheerleading (campers learn the fundamentals of cheerleading through dance and acrobatics).
Dates:
Kinball — June 29-July 3 (ages 10-12); July 6-10 (ages 8-9)
Cuistot sportif — June 29-Aug. 21
Cheerleading — July 27-Aug 7
Location: 2100 Edouard-Montpetit Blvd., Montreal
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with before and
after care available.
Ages: Kinball 8-12; Cuistot sportif 10-15; Cheerleading 10-12
Prices: Kinball $220/week; Cuistot sportif $400/week; Cheerleading $440 for a 2-week session.
Registration and information:
(514) 343-6160, www.cepsum.umontreal.ca
Kidzburree Summer Camp
Description: A West Island-based party, program and play centre has extended its programming to include a summer camp for toddlers. Kids will play in a large air-conditioned space, do crafts, water activities, baking, and enjoy magic shows and themed days.
Dates: June 29-Aug. 15
Location: 275 Elm Ave., Unit #9, Beaconsfield
Hours: Three options available: 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Ages: 2-3
Prices: $95 a week (session ending at 12:30 p.m.) $105 (session ending at 1 p.m.) $115 (session ending at 2 p.m.)
Registration and information:
(514) 426-8000, http://www.kidzburree.com
Marianopolis College Science Camp
Campers will use the new science and computer labs at Marianopolis for hands-on experiments in different areas including robotics, chemistry and physics. There will be talks by scientists as well as field trips to the places like the Cosmodome and the Redpath Museum. Campers will also play games and sports both outside and in the college’s new gym.
Dates: July 6-24
Location: 4873 Westmount Ave., Westmount
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with before and after care available.
Ages: 11-15
Prices: $245 for one week, $465 for two weeks and $660 for three weeks. There is a 15 per cent discount for those who register by April 30.
Registration and information: (514) 937-0265,
www.marianopolis.edu/sciencecamp
La Marmaille.com Dance Camp
The N.D.G-based group, La Maraille.com, is offering a new dance camp in addition to its day camp program. Dancers will have three hours of dance lessons held at Les Ateliers Turcotte studio on Monkland Ave., followed by swimming and activities in the afternoon for four days of the week. On the fifth day, they will participate in the activities of the regular day camp. Sessions run for two weeks.
Dates: June 29-Aug. 7
Location: Les Ateliers Turcotte studios, 6111 Monkland Ave.
La Marmaille holds their activities at l’Église Notre Dame de Grace,
corner of N.D.G. Ave. and Decarie Blvd.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with before and after care available
Ages: 5 and up
Prices: $375 for the two-week session
Registration and information: (514) 591-4616,
www.lamarmaille.com
La Salamander Art Center
Art aficionados can immerse themselves in creative pursuits at this summer camp devoted to the fine and visual arts. Campers will do drawing, painting and sculpting as well as mosaics, stained glass and scrapbooking. The emphasis is on discovering and trying out new techniques and ideas.
Dates: June 29-Aug. 21
Location: 1090 Pratt Ave., Outremont
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with before and after care available
Ages: 7-12
Prices: $190/week (discounts for multiple weeks)
Registration and information:
(514) 692-9809, www.lasalamandreartcenter.com
Kidnetic
Children will learn about the importance of healthy living through fun activities, sports and games. Campers can try out yoga, karate, swimming, fencing and other activities as well as working with a nutritionist to prepare tasty and healthy food. Participants, who are looking for a little more challenge can also sign up for weight-training or talk with fitness specialists about different kinds of exercise programs.
Dates: July 6-July 31
Location: Bob Birnie Arena, 96 Douglas Shand Ave., Pointe Claire.
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with before and after care available
Ages: 8-16
Prices: For a two-week session, $260 for Pointe Claire residents and $290 for non-residents.
Registration and information: (514) 630-1214
Extravadanza Productions
How about a summer of dance for your junior Dancing with the Stars fan? Extravadanza Productions, a new dance school run by Le Groupe Merveilles (a network of 10 daycares), will guide your child through ballet, tap, hip-hop, Pilates, yoga and other forms of dance and physical exercise. Other activities include arts and crafts, a class on the history of dance and instruction on how to stay in tip top shape through nutrition and injury prevention.
Dates: June 22-August 28
Location: 2111C St. Regis Blvd., D.D.O.
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. with before and after care available
Ages: 5 and up
Prices: $12 per day, including snack and beverages
Registration and information: (514) 421-1010,
www.extravadanza.ca
Montreal Shakespeare Theatre Camp
The Montreal Shakespeare Theatre Company, a professional troupe that performs modern adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays, will share the secrets of acting and entertaining at its week-long camp sessions. Participants will play acting games, try out some improv, learn to build sets and make costumes. Campers will perform a show at the end of the week.
Dates: June 29-Aug. 21
Location: Dawson College, 3040 Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with before and
after care available
Ages: 10-16
Prices: $200 a week
Registration and information: (514) 816-5516,
www.mstc.ca
Youthworks Theatre Camp
Youthworks, the performing arts training program run by Black Theatre Workshop, is organizing a camp, which runs for three weeks, where children will explore acting, singing, storytelling and dance. They will also hold a three-week session on improvisational theatre and sketch comedy for older children and teens. Youthworks welcomes and works with kids from all backgrounds and levels of experience.
Dates: Campers must register for the entire
three-week session. Day camp — June 29-July 17; Improvisational Theatre — Aug. 10-28
Location: 3860 Jeanne-Mance, Montreal
Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ages: 7-11 for day camp;
12 and up for Improvisational Theatre
Prices: $120 a session
Registration and information: (514) 932-1104, ext. 224,
www.blacktheatreworkshop.ca
iD Film Academy
An intensive two-week immersion camp run by a U.S.-based company but held at McGill University, where budding filmmakers create a movie from beginning to end. Professional filmmakers will guide participants through script writing, camera operation, editing and sound design. They will also learn about the business and marketing side of filmmaking.
Dates: July 5-17, July 19-31, August 2-14
Location: McGill University, 845 Sherbrooke St. W, Montreal
Hours: Overnight program with a day option available. Participants encouraged to stay on campus because of nightly film screenings, guest speakers and other activities. Daytime hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Ages: 13-18
Prices: $2,999 U.S. for two weeks including room, board, instruction & activities.
Registration and information: Register online at
www.internaldrive.com
