Overnight
Summer
Camp
About
Located in Ayer’s Cliff on a beautiful 19-acre site on the shores of Lake Massawippi in Quebec’s picturesque Eastern Townships. Our summer camp has operated since 1951. We offer a bilingual state-of-the art camp environment where youth aged 6 to 30 with physical disabilities can participate in outdoor recreational activities.
We take pride in our exceptional team of staff, chosen for their warmth, sensitivity, and ability to care for each camper.
We have a staff to camper ratio of 1:1, 1:2 or 1:3.
WAITING LIST
A limited number of places are available. Registration is on a first come, first served basis. If we are unable to confirm your session choice, please contact us to add your name to the waitlist.
- LOCATION
3161 Round Bay
Ayer’s Cliff, QC J0B 1C0
- DATES & SESSIONS
Session 1: June 23 – July 4, 2025 (11 nights)
Session 2: July 7 – 18, 2025 (11 nights)
Session 2A: July 7 – 12, 2025 (5 nights)
Session 2B: July 12 – 18, 2025 (6 nights)
Session 3: July 21 – August 1, 2025 (11 nights)
Session 4: August 4 – 15, 2025 (11 nights)
Session 4A: August 4 – 9, 2025 (5 nights)
Session 4B: August 9 – 15, 2025 (6 nights)
- AGE RANGE
6 – 30 years
Lodging
Campers are housed in dormitory style cabins that can accommodate up to 8-12 campers. Counsellors stay in an adjoining room to always see to the care and safety of the campers. Our cabins are large, air conditioned and fully accessible. Each cabin has a washroom with toilets, sinks, and a large roll-in shower. There are grab bars, Hoyer lifts, commode chairs, shower chairs, and bed rails available for campers that require them. There are also some hospital beds, if required.
Activities
We offer a wide range of fully accessible activities such as swimming, adapted waterskiing, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, rabaska, and pontoon boat rides, as well as arts & crafts, sports & games, music & drama, nature, life skills, dance, theme days, campfires, and much more!
Health & Nutrition
A team of nurses are on site 24 hours a day to administer all medications and oversee any treatments that your child requires. Upon arrival at camp, you will have the opportunity to meet the nurses and review the health care needs of your child.
We provide healthy and balanced dietician-approved menus. We are able to accommodate for food allergies and some special diets such as vegetarian, or soft and purée.
Transportation
Adapted transportation is available between Montreal and the Camp ($)
You can reserve a spot when you register for your session, or by contacting Lisa at 819-838-4707 ext. 1
Additional Information
The following eligibility criteria apply to all applicants to Camp Massawippi’s programs.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
- New campers must be aged 6 to 30 years old (as of the first day of camp) to attend the overnight Summer Camp and Respite Camp in Ayer’s Cliff.
- Campers must be aged 5 to 25 years old (as of the first day of camp) to attend the Day Camp in Montreal.
- Have a primary diagnosis of a physical disability, including motor, hearing, or visual impairments (see exclusions below).
- New campers must undergo an admissions assessment with the Nurse and/or Camp Leader.
- Have no recurring history of problems with respiration, swallowing, or choking.
- Have been in a stable medical condition for at least 3 months.
- Not have any sores that may worsen during his/her stay at camp.
- Have the physical and mental stamina to participate in a recreational program.
- Have a communication system (verbal, augmentative or signing) that allows for effective peer and staff interaction.
- Have the ability to communicate a consistent yes and no (verbal or non-verbal).
- Be able to comprehend their own needs and indicate when they are in distress.
- Be able to receive assistance with activities of daily living (i.e., eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, etc.) from more than one caregiver.
- Have a desire to participate in the daily activities of camp.
- Be able to enjoy group meals in the dining hall without being disruptive to others (Ayer’s Cliff location only).
- Be able to sleep in a cabin with a group of campers without being disruptive to others (Ayer’s Cliff location only).
EXCLUSIONS
Eligibility is not extended to applicants with a primary diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), or other mental health issues.
Applicants who exhibit inappropriate behavioral tendencies that would represent a danger to themselves or others (i.e. conduct disorders, oppositional behaviors, aggressive behaviors) or a pre-identified suicidal risk.
NOTE
The Ayer’s Cliff location has increased risk associated with it in comparison to home or school. The Camp’s nursing facilities are limited and being remotely located, response times for emergency services, ambulance, etc. may be prolonged.
Camp Massawippi reserves the right to deny any camper admission into the camp program who does not meet the criteria OR for whom it cannot be established that their needs will be safely met, AND deny admission to any camper whose medical, physical, or behavioral condition upon arrival at camp is significantly different to that which was disclosed in the application forms or was advised in writing, prior to camp.
Camp Massawippi also has the right and duty to rescind an acceptance or to return a camper home early due to health, medical or behavioral reasons.
5 nights: $1000
6 nights: $1200
11 nights: $2200
A $100 non-refundable deposit is required at the time of registration. The balance is payable prior to the first day of camp.
Financial assistance is available through the following programs (see below tabs):
Low-income families may be eligible to receive financial assistance via the Program of financial assistance for access to vacation camps (PAFACV), provided by the Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport. A discount of up to 25% off your session fees will be applied to eligible applicants.
Criteria and conditions
- For low-income households
- Complete the online form
- Submit a copy of your Notice of Assessment(s) issued by Revenue Quebec for the latest taxation year
- Submit your application no later than June 1st
50% discount off one camp session (5 , 6, or 11 nights)
The Magic Fund was created to encourage young campers (6 to 18 years) to participate in the overnight summer camp for the first time. As a new camper in Ayer’s Cliff, we hope that with a little help from the Magic Fund that you can enjoy the unique and magical experiences of Camp Massawippi.
Criteria and conditions
- For first-time campers who have never attended overnight Summer Camp in Ayer’s Cliff.
- Aged between 6 and 18 years old
- From low income households
- Complete the online form
Submit your application no later than June 1st
100% discount
In collaboration with the the Benny&Co. Foundation, we will be awarding bursaries to campers (age 6 to 30) from low-income households that will cover 100% of camper fees associated with participating in Camp Massawippi’s overnight Summer Camp in Ayer’s Cliff. A fixed number of bursaries ($1000 – $2200 value) will be drawn at random from the pool of eligible campers. The bursary can only be won once and can be applied to either a 5-night, 6 night or 11 night stay. The Benny&Co. Fund was established to help campers from low-income households benefit from the amazing adapted experiences that Camp Massawippi has to offer.
Criteria and conditions
- Aged between 6 and 30 years
- For low-income households
- Complete the online form
- Submit a copy of your Notice of Assessment(s) from Revenue Québec
- Submit your application no later than June 1st
As part of the Destination C.A.M.P. program for people with special needs, funding is available to support families and people on low incomes by making the cost of Summer Camp more accessible.
This program is made possible through the generous support of the Mirella & Lino Saputo Foundation and the Association des camps du Québec.
Criteria and conditions
- Participate in an overnight stay that will take place between June 1 and September 9, 2024
- Be 4 years old or older
- Live with your natural family or be an adult who pays for their stay themselves
- Have limited financial resources, according to the rules established by the Financial Assistance Program for Accessibility to Vacation Camps (PAFACV)
- Submit a copy of your Notice of Assessment(s) issued by Revenue Quebec for the latest taxation year
- Complete the online form
- Submit your application no later than June 1st
In order to adequately support families, the camp will offer a reduction of 25% to 75% off the cost of the stay.
Photo Gallery
Click on a photo to enlarge and swipe through the gallery!
It's vacation time at Camp Massawippi!
While families enjoy some precious respite, campers can make new friends, enjoy the great outdoors, and have the time of their lives!
Adapted Waterskiing
Through a partnership with the Adapted Sports Foundation, adapted water skiing is offered to all campers two days a week as part of our regular programming.
Dance Workshops
"No excuses,
no limits"
World renowned dancer / choreographer / motivational speaker Luca “Lazylegz” Patuelli and his team, offer weekly dance workshops where campers of all abilities can come together and learn to dance despite their differences.