The Camp Ouareau, established in 1922, is one of the two oldest summer camps exclusively dedicated to young girls and still active in Canada. Camp Ouareau is located at Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci, in the regional county municipality (MRC) of Matawinie, in the administrative region of Lanaudière, in the province of Quebec, in Canada.
Mission
In 1922, the original mission of this English-speaking camp for young girls, above all for girls wishing, in addition to the pleasures of life in the open air, courses in land and water sports, horse riding, the study of nature, crafts, etc., and the opportunity to go camping and canoeing expeditions in the great outdoors. This summer camp also received groups of adults in late summer and early fall.
This vacation colony has perpetuated its fundamental mission and traditions since its foundation. Today, the camp's mission is: "Camp Ouareau, where girls and young women can discover and be who they really are."
Although camp activities were conducted in English until 1976, a minority of French-speaking campers signed up. In 1976, the camp became bilingual with the introduction of the language program; now about 50% of registrations come from French-speaking girls and 50% from English-speaking people. Since 1976, activities at the camp have been carried out for two days in French and two days in English, alternating and language courses are offered; the objective being to ensure an exchange of language and cultures while discovering the different activities of camp life.
Geography
Camp Ouareau is located in a forest zone on the north side of route 125. The estate includes a peninsula on the south side of Leguerrier Bay, as well as two islands on Lake Ouareau. Lac Ouareau is connected to the Ouareau River via a strait leading to lake Archambault.
The camp site covers 14.5 hectares and stretches for 0.25 km along the southern shore of Leguerrier Bay of Lac Ouareau. The main entrance to the camp is located on the east side of the trailhead leading to Mont Ouareau.
Buildings and other facilities
In 1922, the two main buildings were a recreation building and a spacious log lodge. The recreation building which featured a large stone fireplace, and was equipped with a stage, library area, desks, games, piano and gramophone. Outdoor amenities included a diving raft, row boats, canoes, tennis court, playgrounds and a horse riding course.
In 2020, the site will include the following infrastructures: dining room, lodge (main building), multifunction building with a teaching kitchen (called Le Chalet), 30 chalets, 17 Prospector-style tents, beach (with four docks), 45-foot artificial climbing wall, toilets and showers, as well as seven other buildings used as offices, or to host activities. Five of the six original buildings, built in 1921 or 1922, are still in use today, including:
the dining room which was fitted with glass in 1937 and which was enlarged a few decades ago; the Lodge which was renovated in 1939.
Camp Ouareau never had a building specifically serving as a chapel. In the past, Sunday morning gatherings were held either in the lodge (in case of rain) or in an outdoor space designated "chapel"; this space has moved a lot over the years depending on the construction of new cabins or tents. The Ouareau camp archives keep a large collection of religious music, especially in Latin and English. The camp still has a small portable organ which is no longer in use. Today, the Ouareau camp no longer holds religious services or rituals; however, the space once occupied by the chapel is used for campfires and various activities.
Sporting and cultural activities
In 2020, the camp has a capacity of 143 campers each 2-week session and nearly 500 campers aged 6 to 16 each summer. The camp is divided into three age groups, called units Nova (6–11 years old), Luna (12–13 years old) and Senior (14–16 years old). An 8-week Apprentice Monitor program is also available to campers aged 16.
The sports activities offered by the camp include: swimming, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, sailing, survival in the forest, hebertism, archery, climbing, tennis, basketball. The non-sporting activities organized by the camp include: plastic arts, pottery, dance, theater, language courses and culinary arts.
The camp also offers a language program which encourages campers to develop their language skills. The program is split into four levels (Understand, Speak, Conversation, Extended). Campers get the opportunity to practice their French and English skills throughout their time at camp, during meals and activities.