Name: Jo-Ann Munro
From: Montreal Quebec
Parent & Alumni

Not a summer goes by that I don't pine for camp. I live it vicariously through my daughter now, who has got Ouareau in her blood too. As she lay on her bed one quiet October morning recently she said "mom, I miss camp." Morning dip, Sunday evening program, the way the little dipper sits perfectly over the waterfront, the smell of the trees, senior prank, rough water solos, friends, Sunday buns, singing, silly campfire skits, and wish sticks. That's my list; hers may very well be completely different but no shorter. Ah that everyday life could always include the sense of play that Ouareau instilled in me.

Name: Beth Lalonde
From: Ithica , NY
Parent

We found Camp Ouareau in an internet search for a camp for girls when my daughter Molly was 13.  It sounded great and looked great and even though we had never heard of it, knew no one who had gone there and had never visited, she decided to go.  What a great decision,  And what a perfect camp choice for Molly.

She loves the setting, the activities, the fabulous food (homemade bread!) and most of all, the people; both the other campers and the staff!  The way the camp is set up with equal numbers of girls speaking French and English (and as it turns out, many other languages) and the rotating days of official English/French language really makes the Ouareau experience unique.  Even without that it would be a great camp experience but the language component makes it really special. It has been a wonderful opportunity for Molly to improve the French she has taken in school.  And meeting so many girls from other countries has increased her interest in learning other languages. 
 
From a parent's perspective I find the camp very organized, the staff enthusiastic and helpful and the owners terrific to deal with.  When Molly talks about the staff it is very clear that they are happy working there - that makes all the difference in a camp experience for the child and it tells me that the camp is well run.  It is reassuring to send my daughter away to a place where I feel she is safe and happy and where I know she feels the same.  Camp Ouareau has been a great experience for Molly. Wish I were younger and could go too!

Name: Charles Hodgson
From: Ottawa , Ontario
Parent

My wife did some rigorous research before choosing Camp Ouareau for our girls.  It was clear from the start that the people at Ouareau knew what they were doing.  My first daughter didn't cry going to camp, she cried when it was over.  Camp Ouareau has become part of their lives in ways they will carry with them for decades.

Name: Joelle Fefer
From: Montreal , Quebec
Parent

Having been a camper throughout my childhood until age 17, I was eager for my 3 daughters to enjoy the same experience.  I chose Ouareau as I had heard good things about it as far back as I could remember.  I was looking for a girls-only camp that offered a positive, nurturing environment in a rustic setting.  I found all this at Ouareau.  My girls always come back changed for the better after spending time there.  They are more polite and confident.  They meet people from all over the world, and learn to negotiate the little difficulties that sometimes arise when personalities clash.  Whenever a problem has arisen at camp, whether a physical ailment or an interpersonal one, Jacqui –the director - was on the ball and I heard about it from her before I heard it from my daughters.  In addition, she always had an effective and sensitive way of handling the situation.  The staff are well selected and well trained, and each year there are refinements in facilities and/or programming/procedures.  Most of all, I like the atmosphere of Ouareau, where the girls are taught to respect and encourage each other.  My oldest daughter has gone to Ouareau for 8 years, my middle daughter for seven, and my youngest for four.  Obviously, they're doing something right!

Name: Margot Brown
From: Toronto , Ontario
Parent

We were looking for a summer camp for our daughter to improve her French language skills.  We found Camp Ouareau on the Internet and were impressed with the history and pedigree of the camp.  Our daughter has gone now for the last three summers.  She is now spending longer sessions there.  This last summer was a month long.  She enjoys the camaraderie and the activities.  This year she took up yoga and has continued taking classes here at home.  She especially enjoys the food which is unusual.  Apparently, your chef (Joe, I think) is a wonder.  

As a parent, I appreciate the organizational skills at the camp.  Pick-up and drop-off is organized with military precision.  Obviously, you have done this many times over.  The counselors are very friendly and committed in their roles.  I feel my daughter is in very good hands at the camp.

The location is beautiful.  The cabins and tents are charming.  The dining hall is decorated to honor and tell the story of the campers who went before.  It reflects the long history of the camp which I think is important.

As I child, I was not lucky enough to attend a place like Camp Ouareau .  Every time I've visited, I've wished I had.

Name: Eva Gourdji
From: Montreal , Quebec
Camper

I started to go to Camp Ouareau because I had heard so many good things about it from my 2 older sisters.  I keep going back because I love the people who go there.  You don't have to make yourself pretty, and it's OK to dress all weird.  No one insults you.  My favorite activities are Archery, Drama and Pottery.  I like the fact that in your cabin or tent at night you can hear the sounds of nature all around you.  It's cool too that we get to decorate our tent or cabin to personalize it.  The staff at camp are amazing.  Each counselor is unique.  I like that we get to practice a second language without it being a chore like it sometimes can be in school.  The food is great.  There's vegetarian food for vegetarians, and there's always fruit out for snacking.  I'd recommend Ouareau to anyone.

Name: Emily Heron
From: Orangeville , Ontario
Camper

I chose to attend Camp Ouareau because three of my cousins had discovered it a couple years back and loved it and thought I would as well.
I go back to Ouareau each year because of the friends I have made there. The warm feeling I get when I arrive and the feeling I get all year when I realize how much I miss being at camp.  I'm a camping girl at heart but also enjoy the comfort of the city and camp is a lovely mix of the two.  The people there are a special kind of people.  When you go to Ouareau you know that almost every girl there is just like you in a sense that she also loves the smell of camp fires, going swimming in a freezing cold lake, the freedoms of being around all girls and so much more. You can't help but get along with everyone and meet so many different types of people while being there.  I love camp because it creates bonds that make girls threaten to hunt you down and drag you to camp if you don't apply for CIT.   The food is amazing and despite all the exercise you get walking to and from the bathroom twenty times a day you don't lose any weight because you eat so much: and no one cares about that.  The variety of activities is amazing.  The support you get when trying new activities is unbeatable and could boost anyone's ego.  The strong girls you are around everyday, who take care of you and make sure you're always smiling make the councillors a big part of the camp experience. 
Ouareau is unique because it gives girls a mix of getting away from it all but still being able to sit at a table to eat and other small details like that.  It opens peoples minds to diversity with its language program and the different types of people who attend.
The trees, moss on roof tops wood/dirt steps and paths through the woods make for an awesome experience for someone not used to camping and such.  I've grown up with a pretty outdoorsy family so the rustic look of camp is so beautiful for me. 
I, personally, am horrible at French. But, it's nice to know there is a place outside the classroom where I can be exposed to another culture and language.  It's encouraging to know that there isn't the pressure to get the grade.  It's nice to know that you can laugh with someone over your really bad accents yet still be learning.  

Name: Rachel Sicotte
From: Montreal , Quebec
Camper

Why do I go back to Ouareau each year???
It's quite simple really! I can be myself without caring what other people will think of me. I can make my own choices. I can create new friendships that can last a lifetime. But, most important of all, I feel safe. Ouareau is my home away from home. Each year, I go to camp for a month; the other eleven, I'm waiting to go back.

Name: Victoria Fox
From: Ottawa , Ontario
Camper

My parents chose this camp because her friends niece goes there and loves the camp so my parents looks into it and heard really good things about the camp so we decided to try it out. The website was interesting so we gave it a try. At camp I have tried most of the activities and I enjoyed all of them, some more than others. My top 5 favorites are canoeing, kayaking, sailing, tennis and art. I like the water activities because I love going into the lake and swimming but I find them a challenge which is fun and you learn something every time.

Camp Ouareau is the most unique place to be. Its fun exciting and the magic of camp makes you want to wake up at 7:30 every morning (except Wednesdays) even in the summer. There is something fun everyday like theme days, the programs, the games, cultiva, sleeping in a cabin or tent with 3 or 5 other girls and much more makes camp special.

I really like the rustic feeling of camp because you don't think about civilization and your stay at camp is really relaxing.

I think the staff at camp are amazing, they care, they're sooooooo much fun and they work extremely hard all summer for us the campers and without the great staff, camp would not be the same. The staff every year is awesome.

The French English system at camp is really cool. If you only speak English than by the end of your stay then you will have learnt a lot of French from all the French speakers around you and from the francophone's in your cabin.

The food at this camp is delicious. I'm a vegetarian and they always have really good veggie meals offered. There is variety so you are not always eating sandwiches for 2 weeks.

The cabins and tents are really fun because you live with 3 other girls and you all become friends. Anyways, the camp's great, I strongly recommend that you go to this camp, it's a great camp and I love it!