This is a fun-filled French language retreat (6 days/5 nights) in Ontario’s gorgeous Muskoka cottage country at the stunning Camp Tamarack, near Bracebridge, Ontario.
Whether your child wants to develop or maintain previously acquired French skills or is a complete beginner, the camp setting is a fantastic opportunity to have fun in the outdoors making new friends, playing together and living in French. Our experienced counsellors will pack the week with outdoor activities, crafts, arts, and much more! Most importantly, campers will develop their autonomy, leadership, and self-confidence….en français!
Programs are available for all levels:
Daily recap: Click here for last year’s daily update from our overnight camps!
From Sunday evening to Friday afternoon, campers will spend their days enjoying the wilderness and participating in a variety of land activities such as high and low ropes, rock climbing, quidditch, hiking in the trails, soccer, basketball, campfires, as well as water activities such as canoeing, kayaking, swimming in the lake and a special tubing treat at the end of the week.
Here’s the twist: all counselors are French and all activities, meals and even the evening campfire will be spent speaking French. Campers will learn fun songs we call “chansons à répondre”, participate in a giant game of animal survival in French and play our “know your word gender” game (one of the hardest parts to master in French).
A UNIQUE and complete French immersion opportunity for a whole week at our French camp in Ontario!
This program is open to children in grades 3 t0 8 in French immersion or francophone schools. Children in grade 2 are considered on a case-by-case basis.
We also offer a Counsellor in Training program for campers in grades 9 and 10, see more details below.
We offer transportation from various locations in the GTA via school buses accompanied by our counsellors. Check out the bus stops on the location page or at the bottom of this page.
New in 2018! For the first time ever we will be offering a week for children who are not in French immersion. This program will be offered Monday, August 6th, in Bracebridge, Ontario.
Check out dates and rates for this program in the table below. For information on our discounts and FAQ check our pricing camp page.
| Program Name | Weeks Offered | Age group | Fee | Busing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2+3 trip: 2 days at day camp and 3 days away | Week of July 9th and 16th | grades 2 to 7 | $495 | Transportation to overnight camp site included in registration fee |
| 1+4 trip: 1 day at day camp and 4 days away | Cancelled for 2018 | grades 3 to 7 grade 2 exceptions on a case-by-case basis | Transportation to overnight camp site included in registration fee | |
| Overnight Camps: Sunday afternoon to Friday end of day | Week of July 29 Week of August 12 Week of August 19 | grades 3 to 8 grade 2 exceptions on a case-by-case basis | $810 | One way: $32.50 Round trip: $55 |
| Overnight Camps: Short week: Monday Start | Week of August 6 (Monday start) | grades 3 to 8 | $700 | One way: $32.50 Round trip: $55 |
| Overnight CIT Program | Week of July 30 Week of August 6 Week of August 13 Week of August 20 | grades 9 and 10 | $460 | One way: $32.50 Round trip: $55 |
| Leadership Program (mandatory for CIT candidates) | Tuesday July 3rd to Friday July 6th | grades 6 to 8 | $460 | One way: $15 Round trip: $20 |
| Trip to Quebec | TBA 2019 | grades 4 to 9 | TBA in the fall of 2018 | Cost of train to Quebec not included in registration fee. |
The Stay :
Camp Tamarack’s private 1000 acre property is in the heart of Muskoka and surrounds a pristine private lake.
Take a look at the facilities onsite!
The site offers a challenging high ropes circuit with elements such as the Quick Drop, Vertical Playground and Flying Squirrel, a 40ft climbing tower, a fleet of over 20 canoes and kayak, 9 half-court tennis courts and a large archery range.
In addition to the outdoor facilities, there are numerous indoor facilities for use during rainy day activities including a dance studio and a state-of-the-art theatre.
Meals are served family style in our 4000 square foot dining hall lined with inscriptions and plaques featuring campers from over 35 years ago. Each meal features a balanced and plentiful hot meal option as well as salad bars, breakfast bars and fresh fruit.
Onsite, campers will stay in wood cabins with electricity, containing bunk beds and private shelving for each camper.
Staff live in an adjacent and accessible private cubicle.
While a good number of cabins have washroom facilities, those that do not have lovely facilities very close by to their cabins. The camp has also built shower facilities over the past few years and each camper has a beautiful private shower area.
The Fun :
During a typical week at this French overnight summer camp, campers can participate in several water activities such as:
On land, they will have the opportunity to:
They will, of course, also participate in arts and crafts activities, French sing-along songs and folk tales around the campfire in the evening, as well as a once a week French movie.
Note that campers who only attend one week will not have time to participate in all the activities listed.
The 2018 Parent Handbook will be ready in May! Included in this document are:
A copy will be sent to you following your registration in our full-week overnight French camp.
Includes:
Transportation:
A transportation service by school bus is offered for a fee of $50 for a return trip or $32.50 for a one-way trip. Alternatively, you are welcome to drop your child off at the camp directly yourself.
Please note that the stops as well as times will be determined based on the registrations. Pick up time and drop off times are below:
| Pick-up Sundays | Drop-off Fridays | |
|---|---|---|
| Credit Valley PS: 2365 Credit Valley Road, Mississauga | 1:45PM | 4:20pm |
| Yorkdale SS: 38 Orfus Rd, North York | 2:15PM | 3:45PM |
| Julliard PS: 61 Julliard PS: 61 Julliard PS, Maple | 2:45PM | 3:15PM |
“Our kids came back from the camp, dirty, exhausted but all happy. They had a wonderful time! Thank you and all your staff.”
“This was our first experience with an overnight camp and I was very impressed with how well organized and smoothly the entire trip was. My daughter had such an amazing time that she even forgot she was speaking in french the entire time….she is recruiting her friends and planning next summer’s trip….thanks camp tournesol for giving my daughter a memorable experience with her first overnight trip!”
“Loved how connected the camp leaders kept families with the group via social media…felt like we were right there camping too! My daughter can’t wait to go on another French camps!”
For French-speaking high school students, designed to develop a sense of responsibility and leadership, as well as train for a job as a counsellor at Camp Tournesol. This program is offered to students in French immersion or Francophone schools graduating from grade 9 and 10. Previous Tournesol campers are given preference.
The French campers will be given responsibilities and placed in situations to develop leadership skills. Each CIT is assigned to a group and mentored by one of our senior camp counsellors.
“Alice is definitely applying to return next summer as she enjoyed the program and keeps talking about her experience as a CIT.”
Candidates MUST also register for and attend the Leadership Program.
There is VERY LIMITED availability on this French camp program so register early.
To apply:
Candidates selected will be contacted as their application is received.
