Shortly after the school year comes to an end, youth from communities where Bleu Blanc Bouge rinks have been built head to the Laurentians for a week at Le P’tit Bonheur de sablon camp. This year, 80 students participated, bringing the total number of children who have attended Bleu Blanc Bouge Camp since its inception to 717. For nearly 90% of them, it was their very first summer camp experience.
“When we think of the Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation, we naturally think of hockey, winter and our Bleu Blanc Bouge rinks. But youth need opportunities to be active year-round,” says Patrick Mahoney, Director of Development and Community Investments at the Foundation. “Every child should have the same chance to play, discover new activities and challenge themselves throughout the year.”
A week of firsts
During their week at camp, kids are encouraged to try it all. Kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, hiking, climbing, high ropes courses and archery: on the water and in the woods, campers take part in a wide range of activities that allow them to explore their interests, push their limits and often surprise themselves.
The goal? To inspire them to stay active, spark a new passion and develop healthy lifestyle habits they’ll want to maintain long after they return home
Beyond outdoor activities, youth also develop their independence and confidence, as well as their ability to communicate, collaborate and build new relationships. Leaving the city, being away from their parents—sometimes for the very first time—and learning to live as part of a group may seem like simple life experiences, but they can be deeply meaningful at such a formative age.
“What we want to offer kids is a space where they can be themselves, make new friends and, for one week, put the challenges of their everyday lives aside,” explains Geneviève Paquette, President and Executive Director of the Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation. “They can try new things, learn and overcome obstacles in an environment that’s different from their school or home setting. Often, they leave camp with a newfound belief that they are capable of much more than they thought.”