May 2025 news

774,000 in financial support for camps catering to people with special needs

As part of the Program to Enhance Programming and Living Environments at Camps for People with Disabilities, the ACQ is pleased to announce that 25 projects submitted by camps will receive support from the Mirella and Lino Saputo Foundation. This is excellent news, and a testament to the creativity and dynamism of our sector! Congratulations to the receipient camps!
This support will enable the purchase of activity and care materials, specialized outdoor equipment and adapted furniture, as well as the realization of large-scale projects to set up new facilities or activity areas in the camps. Grants range from $3,000 to $50,000.

Support for families

At the end of winter, 11 camps whose primary mission is to welcome people with special needs received financial support ranging from $3,000 to $22,000. Granted as part of the Program to Support Camp Attendance by People with Disabilities, this assistance is paid directly to families or participants with modest incomes, in order to reduce the cost of registering for a stay at a summer camp.

The pilot project for the distribution of adapted equipment is officially transformed into a program

The Foundation also confirmed the continuation of the pilot project set up with Collaboration Santé Internationale. This pilot project provided camps for special-needs clientele with free access to mobility aids and care equipment. A new delivery is scheduled for autumn. New this year, all NPO-certified camps catering to special-needs clientele will be eligible for the program. Watch your e-mail!
Thank you to the Mirella and Lino Saputo Foundation for their support and confidence!

Summer camp attendance: a protective factor in mental health for 5- to 24-year-olds

Last April, the Association des camps du Québec (ACQ) submitted a brief to the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux du Québec (MSSS) as part of the reflections on the future Stratégie nationale de prévention en santé 2025.

Following this submission, Éric Beauchemin, Executive Director of the ACQ, was invited to the Forum de prévention en santé in Quebec City to present actions and camp programs that are already promoting better mental health among 5- to 24-year-olds.

Conclusion and recommendations of the ACQ brief

• Because the two months of summer are generally not put to good use in national campaigns;
• Because quality summer camps are already on offer, and camps are part of the life of Quebec children, youth and families (no new habits to develop);
• Because science has demonstrated the positive effects of camps on the psychosocial development and mental health of those who attend them (participants and employees);
• Because summer camps are undoubtedly a novel and innovative avenue to be considered in the implementation of a national health prevention strategy; 
• The ACQ recommends that summer camp attendance be promoted and financially supported so that a greater number of people aged 5 to 24 can benefit.

A team of consultants trained and ready to visit you

This year, 8 new people (including one returning from a long time ago!) join the team of ACQ consultants, ready to share their expertise and visit camps to validate compliance with standards and guidelines. A total of 46 consultants will be hitting the road this summer to visit you.

A rigorous selection and training process

Before being able to carry out a certification visit, each consultant is carefully selected by the ACQ and undergoes a comprehensive training process. The majority are former camp managers.

They undergo an interview with real-life scenarios, undergo a criminal background check, then sign a contract accompanied by the code of ethics and code of conduct linked to the ACQ's integrity protection policy.

In the first year, training includes over ten hours of theory on the role of the consultant, the interpretation of certification standards and compliance guidelines, the stages of the visit process and assessment tools. This is followed by a day of simulation in the field, with the support of former consultants.

The team on site at Camp Minogami last May 3rd

The final stage of the training consists of a pairing with an experienced consultant, as part of a real field visit. This mentoring ensures an essential transfer of knowledge, enabling the trainee to carry out his or her visits independently.

Each year, the entire team meets to prepare for the season and to review the annual update of standards and guidelines, followed by a review in September, in order to update their knowledge and continually improve the process.

Summer visits 2025

For the past two years, a digital tool developed by the ACQ has been supporting the visits: La Licorne - an affectionate little name for this web platform that documents each visit and logs reports and documents.

Currently in phase 3, this platform is already enabling smooth management of visits. There's every reason to believe that managers will even be able to deposit their documents directly in their member zone, connected to La Licorne in phase 4. Visits 2.0: we're finally there!

Despite the technology, one thing remains the same: you'll always meet a caring human being whose aim is to share best practices and help you comply with standards and guidelines.

Camps to be visited this summer will shortly receive a call from their consultant to schedule the visit. With over 330 camps to visit, we thank you in advance for your flexibility and cooperation.

Have a great season!

The Réflexe mobile application arrives in June!

In June, the ACQ will unveil the brand-new version of the Urgences en camp application, reborn under a new name: Réflexe. For the right reflex in emergency situations.

With a complete overhaul, simplified navigation and updated content, the mobile application designed for camps and leisure activities has been completely reworked to support your teams in the field.

Intervene without wasting time

An injury, an approaching storm, a difficult confidence from a young person? The application provides clear, simple steps to help you intervene without wasting time, even when stress is setting in.
More than just an update, Réflexe features a brand-new, more intuitive interface, a quick search system and protocols organized into three main families:

• First aid
•  Environment
• Psychological distress

The application also lets you:

• save favorite protocols
• access them in offline mode
• use it for intervention... and training!

All content has been fully reviewed and validated by experts to ensure rigor and relevance.

Free download in June

The application will be available free of charge on the App Store and Google Play.
If you already have the Urgences en camp application on your phone, simply update it to access Réflexe.