Camp Valiquette brings academics into summer camp's sports and arts curriculum
The Côte-des-Neiges-NDG camp combines chess, finance lessons, and coding with traditional activities while serving underrepresented youth.
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Camp Valiquette in Côte-des-Neiges-NDG is reimagining the traditional summer camp by weaving academics into its arts and sports programming to empower underrepresented youth.
Founder Jay Valiquette designed the camp so younger children—ages five through eight—focus mainly on play and relaxation, while kids nine and up start the day with structured learning. "They start off strong, they start off with the typing course and even chess to work their minds in quickly early in the morning," explains Geneva Ricamonte, instructor, animator and head of camp at Valiquette Academy.
Daily general knowledge sessions, lasting 30 minutes, cover NATO alphabet, continents, oceans, and planets. A dedicated finance section teaches core concepts: ROI, assets, and liabilities. "Our kids know the NATO alphabet and continents and oceans and planets, and then our finance section, where we're top three rules for finances. What is ROI? What is an asset? What is liability? And it continues," Valiquette said.
The academy extends beyond summer, offering winter and March break camps, after-school French and English courses, and coding courses. Through a foundation Valiquette launched, the academy provides community outreach, resume preparation, volunteer and employment opportunities, and university certifications for local youth.
Volunteer Lionel Jaye Mendez Fox highlights the camp's affordability: "We are a summer camp, yes, we are doing tutoring for kids. But all of that is like a charity because he even gives discounts for like single mothers."
The foundation partners with CLSCs, youth centres, and churches to extend discounted or free programming into the community. Valiquette also holds a Halloween party and Christmas celebration drawing over 100 people, complete with toys and themed rooms.
"We're also here to make sure they succeed in life and they get a nice job of really packed CV and they get enough experience to make sure they go and push it through in life in general," says Rodrigo Rivera Soto, who also works at the academy.
The foundation relies on community funding to sustain and expand its programs. "We absolutely need support from people so we can continue these programs, expand these programs, and not let any child fall through the cracks for simple lack of funding," Valiquette said.
At a glance
What academic subjects does Camp Valiquette teach alongside sports and arts?
Camp Valiquette in Côte-des-Neiges-NDG teaches chess, typing, finance concepts like ROI and assets, coding, and general knowledge covering the NATO alphabet, continents, oceans, and planets.
What age groups attend Camp Valiquette and what do they focus on?
Children ages five through eight focus mainly on play and relaxation, while children nine and older begin each day with structured learning sessions.
What other programs does Camp Valiquette offer beyond summer camp?
Camp Valiquette offers winter and March break camps, after-school French and English courses, and coding courses, plus community outreach including resume preparation, volunteer and employment opportunities, and university certifications.
