September 2026 news

Here are the highlights of this month's newsletter:

• It’s time to renew your membership for the 2026–2027 year!
• Get involved in the ACQ’s governance!
• Operation Drapeau Is Expanding!
• A New Program to Support Nature Class Trips
• Children’s needs don’t take a vacation: The ACQ calls on political parties
• Opportunities for Visibility on ACQ Platforms

It’s time to renew your membership for the 2026–2027 year!

Whether you are a camp that is already an ACQ member or a new member following a visit in the summer of 2026 and wishing to continue your membership, here’s what you need to know about your renewal.

For the 2026–2027 membership fees, the board of directors has approved a 3% increase in the per-day/per-participant rates for certified camps (no change to program-related rates) and a 3% increase in the per-resident rates for municipal camps (no change to site-related rates).

All affected camps will receive an email in early October containing a link to the renewal form.

The deadline to complete the form is November 20, 2026.

We look forward to having you with us again this year!

Get involved in the ACQ’s governance!

Nominations for open seats on the Board of Directors of the Association des camps du Québec are now open!

Would you like to put your experience and expertise to work for the camp community and help shape the Association’s direction? We invite you to submit your application by 4:00 p.m. on October 21st, 2026.

Learn more about the profiles we’re looking for and the steps to follow to submit your application:

Operation Drapeau Is Expanding!

Good news for the camp community: The Quebec Camp Association (ACQ) has received $46,581 in funding from the Ministry of Education, as part of the Quebec Safety and Integrity Program (PSIQ), to enhance and expand the Opération Drapeau program.

Already known for its tools aimed at preventing violence and bullying among young campers, Operation Drapeau is now expanding its scope. The goal is to better equip everyone involved in running the camps—including staff, managers, volunteers, and parents — to foster environments that are increasingly respectful, safe, and supportive.

New Tools to Address Real-World Challenges

This funding will enable the ACQ to develop and improve, among other things, prevention and intervention tools, resources on respectful communication and conflict management, and short videos aimed at young employees. Special attention will also be given to relationships with parents and to tools for preventing incivility, harassment, bullying, and abuse of power.

This is a positive development for Opération Drapeau and, above all, provides new, practical tools to continue making camps environments where respect and kindness are everyone’s responsibility.

A Project Led in Collaboration with Local Partners

The project will be carried out with the support of local partners, including Sport’Aide and the Quebec Association for Recreation for People with Disabilities (AQLPH). The first tools are expected to be available as early as spring 2027.

A New Program to Support Nature Class Trips

The Quebec Camp Association is pleased to launch “Nature Class: Off to Camp,” a new financial support program designed to make it easier for school groups to enjoy a nature experience at certified overnight camps.

Thanks to this initiative by the Government of Quebec, funds will be allocated to support nature-based field trips and to reduce some of the financial barriers that may limit school participation.

In particular, the program will help cover the costs associated with a day of guided camp activities, as well as transportation costs for school groups. The goal is to enable more elementary school students in grades 1 through 6 to enjoy a supervised outdoor experience, discover nature, and try out the many activities offered at certified camps.

Eligible camps have already received full details regarding how the program works, the funds available, and the procedures for ensuring that schools in their communities can benefit from it.

Children’s needs don’t take a vacation: The ACQ calls on political parties

On September 5th, the Association des camps du Québec (ACQ) published an open letter in Le Devoir titled « Les besoins des enfants et des familles ne prennent pas de vacances »

As the election campaign gets underway, the ACQ wanted to send a clear message to elected officials: education should be a priority 12 months a year, not just from the start to the end of the school year.

Camps: An Essential Role All Year Round

When schools close in June, the needs of children and families remain very much present. Balancing family and work remains a daily challenge, and children still need stimulating and safe environments in which to learn, socialize, and thrive.

Four Concrete Commitments

To ensure that camps can continue to fully fulfill their role for children and families, the ACQ calls on political parties to commit to:

• Making day camps and summer camps more accessible to families
• Ensuring more predictable access to public facilities for day camps
• Supporting the upgrading of summer camp facilities
• Supporting the creation of a national directory of camps, so that parents can easily identify those that meet about ten minimum requirements

A letter co-signed by several stakeholders in the field

This open letter was co-signed by representatives from several organizations working with youth, families, and the recreation sector:

• Éric Beauchemin, Executive Director of the Association des camps du Québec
• Justine Laberge, Executive Director of the Association québécoise pour le loisir des personnes handicapées
• Isabelle Lizée, Executive Director of Espace Muni
• Rémi Richard, Executive Director of the Quebec Association for Public Recreation
• Marilyse Richard-Robert, President of the Association des camps du Québec
• Mélanie Sanschagrin, Executive Director of the Quebec Federation of Community Recreation Centers
• Sébastien Théberge, President of Sports Québec
• Corinne Vachon Croteau, Executive Director of the Réseau pour un Québec famille
• Sonia Vaillancourt, Executive Director of the Conseil québécois du loisir

Opportunities for Visibility on ACQ Platforms

Would you like to promote your camp to families or schools? New promotional opportunities will be available on ACQ platforms in 2026–2027.

In particular, you’ll be able to promote your activities and services in newsletters sent to families and schools, as well as on the ACQ’s Facebook page and website. ACQ-certified member camps will receive a 50% discount off market rates for all promotional offers.

The options and rates will be announced in early October. If you plan to invest in advertising over the next year, be sure to include these costs in your budget!

Stay tuned for the release of the media kit or visit the “Advertise in Our Media” page in early October to explore all the possibilities.