Camp Tournesol specializes in programs that support and enhance the French immersion and Francophone programs in Ontario. The day camps focus on enhancing vocabulary and conversational skills. We aim to promote French as a living language. Activities, crafts, field trips etc... are all different from week to week so you can reigster for multiple weeks for LOTS of Fun in French this summer!
You would like to know what we are up to each week? Click the corresponding week to view an overview of our week.
Boute-en-train (formally Intro to French) camp for children age 5 and 6 entering French immersion or Francophone schools in September (offered only as a two weeks session). Children registering for 4 weeks at any campus will automatically be registered in an enriched session in the 3rd and 4th week, provided there is still space.
"Les Curieux" (formally part of French Fun) full day camp in French for children graduating from grade 1 in French immersion or from "jardin" and grade 1 from Francophone schools:
"Les Espiègles" (formally part of French Fun) full day camp in French for children graduating from grade 2 in French immersion or Francophone schools:
"Les Intrépides" (formally part of French Fun) full day camp in French for children graduating from grades 3 to 6 in French immersion or Francophone schools:
"Intrépides en-route" is a program for children in grades 3 to 6 in a Francophone or French immersion program. In this program the campers will spend the first 2 days of the week in our day camp to get to know each other. From Wednesday to Friday they will go away to enjoy an overnight experience. There are only 2 sessions available and a maximum of 30 campers is accepted. Both these trips are confirmed and will go ahead. There are only a few spots left in each.
Counselor-in-training for children graduating from Grade 7 to 8 (VERY limited availability). Previous Camp Tournesol experience is an asset for selection.
Useful information
Although all efforts will be made, we can not guarantee an allergy free environment
All instructors are fully bilingual.
Space is limited in each age group.
Complimentary busing with sufficient registration. Click here for information on Busing service.
Early bird discount available as well as multiple siblings discounts; please refer to our Fee schedule
ALL PROGRAMS (except Les Intrépides en-route) FEATURE
The focus of this program is to prepare the children who do not express themselves in French to enter a French program. This is a 2 weeks program where the children will develop new vocabulary daily and build on their new skills within the 2 weeks span. They will be introduced to basic vocabulary and sentences that they will need in the beginning of their school year. This is a bilingual program supervised by a Francophone or French immersion teacher. The ratio in this program is 8 campers to 1 counselor.
Daily activities include: Language circle where new language will be introduce for a 30 minutes period. This learning is then reinforced throughout the day with organized sports; arts or crafts, nature interpretation, songs, show and tell, cooperation games, camp games, board and card games as well as our very own Tournesol workbook. The workbook also includes the words to the songs that they will learn and will be sent home with the campers at the end of the camp. They will be able to continue "working" in their workbook for the rest of the summer to reinforce their learning.
The focus of this program is to promote French conversation outside of an academic environment. The level and expectations of French are adapted for each age group. We place the children in situations where they use their French while doing fun activities. Children must already be able to express themselves in French to attend this program.
Daily activities include: organized sports; arts or crafts, cooperation games, camp games, board and card games as well as some reading circle where counselors will share age appropriate books with small groups. New this year, the children will take part in a different drama club each week where a short skit or song will be develop by each group on a book theme and presented to the rest of the camp on Friday morning. Activities, crafts, field trips etc... are all different from week to week so you can reigster for multiple weeks for LOTS of Fun in French this summer!
This program is offered to previous Tournesol campers in priority. It is for students in French immersion or Francophone schools graduating from grade 7 and 8. Each CIT is assign to a group and mentored by one of our senior camp counselor. They will be given responsibilities and placed in situation to develop leadership skills. They will develop skills to become good camp counselor. VERY LIMITED availability.
This program is offered to students in French immersion or Francophone schools graduating from grade 3 to 6. It is developed for students who like discovering new places and making new friends. This is a short “away from home” trip to give campers a taste of adventure and independence….all in French. You will spend 2 days in our day camp program to get to know each other and then go on a 3 day /2 night overnight trip to an exciting destination. This program is supervised by a French teacher and the ratio of counselor to campers will be 1 to 7. This is offered only a few weeks in the summer so be sure to book early. A maximum of 30 campers will be accepted but a minimum of 20 campers is required to run the program.
This year we are offering 2 session of "Intrépides-en-route", the week of July 19th and the week of August 9th. It is available for all campus operating those weeks , however there must be a minimum of 5 campers in a campus for bus pick up to be available at the campus.
Upon registration, campers will receive a package including detailled itinerary, address of accommodation, list of things to bring etc...
Lake George field centre, Ontario: week of July 19th
The week of July 19th, our destination will be nearby Lake George field centre in Richmond Hill, Ontaio. Despites the closeness of the city, this site transports you to a natural setting on the shores of a gorgeous small kettle lake. We will stay onsite in the air-conditioned Bond house. The house is divided in 2 sections, one for the boys and one for the girls. The house has a also a lounge, kitchen area, ping pong table etc.. Our meals will be served in the Davies Hall, which is located just steps away. The Hall is equipped with a fireplace, a gorgeous sunroom with a view overlooking the lake.
Upon arrival on the Wednesday, we will set out to discover our new home and the campers will participate in a cooperative orienteering program. That evening, we will be treated to a campfire, marshmallows and campfire songs.
On Thursday, we will participate in the lake ecology /fish management program where the campers tour the lake on a pontoon boat and then throw fish nets to capture fishes.Once they are identified and thoroughly “analyzed”, they will be set free in the water.After lunch, the campers will participate in mini “camp” Olympics with a few group dynamics activities.In the evening, get ready to discover bats with an introduction to the natural history of bats and some activities followed by a visit to meet the “real” things at dusk.
On Friday, children will learn about trees and tree identification and will make a tree medallion.They will partake in games of volleyball, soccer, speedball, croquet and horseshoe through their stay at Lake George.
We will leave mid-afternoon to return back to the campus. All meals and activities are included. Drop off on Wednesday and pick on Friday is at the regular time at the campus.
Midland Ontario: week of August 9th
The week of August 9th, our destination is Midland Ontario. We will stay in the historic Wye Valley at the Martyr's Shrine site, which is located across from the Ste-Marie-amongst-the-Hurons site.
We leave on Wednesday by bus which will stop at each campus to pick up participants.Upon arrival we will have lunch onsite and go on a nature walk in beautiful Wye Marsh home to numerous wildlife.Wye Marsh is designated as an Important Bird Area and is home to an amazing diversity of bird species. Wye Marsh provides nesting habitat to some uncommon species such as Least Bittern, Black Tern and the Trumpeter Swan. Dinner will be in the Ste-Marie amongst the Hurons restaurant, followed by evening games, friendship bracelets and story telling.
On Thursday, we will participate in the "In their footsteps" program organized in French by the Ste-Marie-amongst-the-Hurons staff.
Program at Ste-Marie: Campers will be immerse in a day long past at Sainte-Marie-among-the-Hurons. We will follow in the footsteps of Ontario's first peoples and the French newcomers as we will explore the mission headquearters. We will participate in hands-on workshops including 17th century fire-starting techniques, quill pen writing, enjoy Canada's oldest national sport-lacrosse, and make connections between past and present in the Museum. The campers will add their footsteps to Ontario's rich past at Sainte-Marie.
In the evening, we will take in a short section of theTay Shore trail with its spectacular views and followed by more fun game.
On Friday, we will take a cruise on Georgian Bay on the Miss Midland with French commentary. We will leave after lunch to return back to the campus.
All meals and activities are included. Drop off on Wednesday and pick on Friday is at the regular time at the campus. Campers are in rooms of 4 - gender specific. Counselors are in rooms adjacent to the campers.
