August 2026 news

Here are the highlights of this month's newsletter:

• Another successful summer, thanks to you!
• Over one million dollars to launch two strategic projects aimed at enhancing the camp experience for youth
• Annual Congress: don't miss out on your 10% discount!
• ACQ Awards

Another successful summer, thanks to you!

Behind every camp, there are managers and teams who give their all to provide a memorable summer for their campers. At the ACQ, we’re fortunate to witness, year after year, the inspiring commitment that drives you. Thank you for helping, once again, to make camps a unique experience for thousands of young people across Quebec.

Before you head off to what we hope will be a relaxing vacation, here are a few quick reminders:

• Update your camp profiles for the fall on the ACQ website
• Post your job openings for nature classes on the ACQ job board
• Submit your invoices by August 25 if you were a Destination CAMP host camp
• Finalize your financial reports (Mirella and Lino Saputo Foundation, Découvre ton camp, etc.). If you have any questions, please contact Josée Piquette.

Over one million dollars to launch two strategic projects aimed at enhancing the camp experience for youth

The ACQ is delighted to announce that it has secured funding from the Quebec Ministry of Education (MEQ).

First announcement — Another step toward establishing a directory of camps that meet minimum requirements.

The ACQ is receiving $595,000 to develop and implement a pilot project aimed at establishing minimum requirements for camps.

This announcement builds on the ACQ’s work in recent years to identify all active camps in Quebec and to outline their supervision practices. The ACQ welcomes this continued effort to regulate the activities of non-member camps so that the children and teenagers who attend them, as well as the youth who work there, are also at least minimally safe.

Second Announcement — New Program to Support Field Trips to Camps for Elementary School Groups

Following its funding application submitted last February, the ACQ has secured $451,500 in funding. This amount will support field trips to certified camps participating in the “Class Nature” program.

This program aims to:

• Foster contact with nature—often for the first time—within the structured, activity-based environment characteristic of summer camps.
• Introduce participants to outdoor activities offered under the supervision of certified summer camp staff: rock climbing, canoeing, rabaska paddling, hiking, obstacle courses, archery, etc.
• Provide an incentive for nature field trips that include an overnight stay by covering a significant portion of the transportation costs and the cost of the first day’s stay.

Read the official press release from the MEQ (French only):

Annual Congress: don't miss out on your 10% discount!

Register for the ACQ's annual Congress by August 28 and get your 10% discount.

Consult the complete program (French only) to know the details of the workshops, conferences and special activities.

ACQ Awards

The nomination period for the 2026 ACQ Awards is still ongoing and will be open until September 25 at 5 p.m.

To find out everything about the ACQ Awards, the regulations, the evaluation methods and the nomination steps, visit the following pages:

Distinction Award (French only)

Excellence Award (French only)