Our camp imagi·nation is an overnight camp unlike any other: it’s a unique and playful lab for creative thinking and making in the wilderness for curious spirits with a sense of adventure! We chose the name “imagi·nation” to highlight the importance of wonder and creativity for us—they are the core values of our little oasis in the forest! Arriving at camp means discovering a space dedicated to re-imagining the world,  broadening horizons and flourishing, while having fun and making friends.

Every day, participants embark on creative challenges that awaken their sense of curiosity, creativity and social responsibility in a supportive, exciting atmosphere set in a beautiful natural environment. We inspire participants to take part in a flurry of captivating dialogues, creative projects and kooky games, not only to grow as human beings but also to produce their very own philosophical magazines.

Brila is a registered Canadian charity offering bilingual educational programming that fuses philosophical dialogue and creative experimentation to cultivate critical thinking, empathic engagement and self-efficacy. For over 16 years, we have been hosting immersive experiences to promote human growth for all ages, including hundreds of educational camps based on our Philocreation^® approach for thousands of young people! View testimonials from young people who have grown up with our programs and what their parents are saying.

Any and all kids who have big hearts, bold thoughts and spirited imaginations! We offer three weeks of overnight camp (five days, four nights) for youth aged 9 to 12. Our hybrid discovery program offers kids ages 7 and 8 a taste of the overnight camp experience in a safe and welcoming setting. Youth aged 13 and up can participate in our teen leadership workshop. 
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We welcome anglophone and francophone youth from all over Quebec, as well as from the rest of Canada and the world. While all our summer camps are bilingual, participants can choose between English or French for the dialogue activities. No previous experience necessary. Spaces are limited so register now!

In the past, our day camps welcomed campers as young as five years old because we love working with all age groups! As of 2024, we are offering discovery camps for kids aged 7 to 8, but we encourage families with younger children to sign up for our philo-family day. For those who are still young at heart, we also offer an adult mini-camp over a weekend!

Our camp takes place at our new headquarters in the wilderness just one hour north of Montreal in the Lanaudière region. This beautiful 96-acre space boasts a lake, a forest, a field, eco-friendly lodgings and more, to enable truly immersive philocreative experiences in nature for youth and communities. Under the charm of the natural landscape, participants will get to grow in their thinking and creating in our dedicated indoor workshop spaces and our lovely wood cabins and medieval tents. Check out the video above to get a sneak peek!

Each camp is jam-packed with innovative workshops that boost imagination by blending innovative creative projects with engaging conversations and wacky games. Participants share meals together and get a choice of daily outdoor activities, from swimming, kayaking and hiking to various sports and nature-based crafts. 
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Every day ends with free time that includes our kooky games, campfires, live music, talent shows and other creative activities facilitated by our passionate team. Participants are expected to attend the whole week of programming—since activities build on each other, absences are highly discouraged!
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Each camp revolves around a fascinating theme, and includes one of our famous "Owl Challenges", which invite participants to reflect on a real-world issue and devise a creative solution with their team through collaborative creation. Each session concludes with an epic talent show and exhibition, as well as our famous relay races and water games!

To get an idea, check out the photos from past sessions:

—Camps 2024: Discovery Camp, Session 1, Session 2, Session 3, Teen Workshop

—Camps 2023: Session 1, Session 2, Teen Workshop.

Brila is propelled and energized by its dedicated team of experts in education and facilitation. We boast an impressive staff-to-camper ratio of 1:3. Our staff is composed of practicing professionals who love to infuse kids with their passion for creative thinking. Our senior facilitators are seasoned educators with over 50 combined years of experience as well as advanced graduate degrees in philosophy, pedagogy and mental health. Our junior staff are inspiring young adults who have grown up in our programs and know our Philocreation^® approach inside and out!

To ensure everyone's well-being, our staff are first aid certified by the Heart and Stroke Foundation and by the Canadian Wilderness Medical Training, undergo an official police background check, adhere to our code of conduct and have references checked prior to joining our team. We also have a lifeguard and a medical doctor on site!

We offer healthy, yummy meals and snacks, cooked in our kitchen. Everyone shares meals together at our outdoor tables overlooking the lake or in our indoor dining area. Most meals are served buffet style so participants can choose what (and how much!) they would like to eat. Our food philosophy is to have a local, vegetarian base to our meals then offer a variety of additions to satisfy even the fussiest taste buds! There are also opportunities for aspiring chefs to help with the cooking process, including campfire recipes and our kooky classics, ranging from cupcake sculptures to sundae bars!
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Though we are a small camp, we can accommodate most dietary needs, including nut allergies and gluten restrictions. We will be delighted to discuss any requirements with you to ensure your child’s safety!

Our sleeping arrangements are as cozy as they are fun! We take great care in creating lodging groups to ensure all participants are happy and comfortable in our cabins and fancy bell tents. Each group is led by one of our team members to help create a friendly feeling of home from the get-go! Everyone is in close proximity to keep the community vibe alive throughout the day.

Before camp, participants will receive a detailed info-letter providing all the specifics regarding the program, including a full packing list and tips to prepare. We are an unplugged educational camp, meaning that we offer an immersive experience of human growth without internet or cell connection, though we use our on-site technology for many creative projects, from photography to film to music recordings. Of course, we are absolutely reachable if parents need to urgently contact their children plus we send photo updates to families throughout the week.

It is normal for participants (and their families!) to feel a bit nervous about an overnight camp experience—rest assured we are here to support you and will happily answer any questions you may have! Here is what youth and their parents say about their experience with us.
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Brila is not responsible for any lost, stolen or missing items: though we will try our utmost to keep personal belongings safe, we strongly recommend that new, expensive or favourite items be left at home.

Bus transport to and from camp is provided as part of the registration fees. The meeting spot is on the Université de Montréal campus, with drop-off hours on the morning of the first day and pick-up hours in the early evening of the last day. The whole camp group travels together to begin building relationships right away! Additional details are provided to families in the info-letter sent prior to camp.

In addition to boosting their creativity through original projects and group dialogues, participants will be producing their very own philosophical magazine—or “philozine”—by contributing as storytellers, illustrators, photographers, multimedia artists, designers, performers and more. They'll not only create their own original publication, but also leave with a strong sense of responsibility about what they say, how they communicate it and who is affected by it! Check out some of our recent zines.

Indeed! As a charity, Brila prides itself on offering cost-effective programming that is eco-friendly and resource-savvy so access is never a problem. We have full and partial bursaries available, thanks to generous funding from our partners. Bursary funds are distributed on the basis of financial need and granted to those who would be unable to attend camp without financial assistance. Applications are assessed in the order they are received and recipients are notified in the spring. To apply, please complete the bursary form.

By all means, please get in touch! You can reach us by phone at 438.338.5956 or by email at info@brila.org. Plus, prior to camp, all participants will receive an info-letter and a welcome call from one of Brila's team members.