Learn-to Camp Overnight experience

Lachine Canal National Historic Site

The oTENTik 2024 season is now over!

This summer, discover the outdoors in the heart of Montreal! The Parks Canada team welcomes you at the Raceway Bank of the Lachine Canal to teach you the basics of an outdoor stay. From setting up a tent and preparing meals to the late night campfire, a wide range of outdoor activities will be offered. In addition, you will have the chance to try paddle sports, yoga and, for children aged 6 to 17, fishing!

A unique and turnkey experience!

Experience the outdoors in the easiest way possible with Parks Canada. All the necessary equipment and more are included! All you need to bring is your bedding, food, and personal belongings.

For an accessible, easy and safe introduction to the outdoors, the overnight experience is the perfect experience!

Don’t miss your chance: places are limited. Call us and book your place now!

Summary of activity

Arrival: Saturday, 10 a.m.. Departure: Sunday, 2 p.m.
In addition to the camping equipment, the cookware, a picnic table and chairs will be lent to you.
Master the skill of pitching a tent, roast some marshmallows, participate to a cooking and fire workshops.
Have fun in the camping game zone (washer toss, corn hole, etc) and relax in an hammock on the banks of the Lachine Canal.

Parks Canada certified instructor who helps set up a tent.

Programming

Various workshops and activities about camping and the outdoors.
Paddle sports: learn-to canoe activity on Saturday and free practice on Sunday. For more details about these activities, visit the Learn-to Paddle webpage.
Fishing: activity offered to children from 6 to 17 years old. For more details about these activities, visit the Learn-to Fish webpage.
Learn-to Yoga offered on Sunday morning.

A family and a Parks Canada instructor paddle a canoe in the calm waters of the Lachine Canal.

What’s included

Tent and sleeping pads;
Picnic table and umbrella;
Chairs and hamac;
Camping stove;
Camping cookware;
Crockery and cutlery;
Continental breakfast on Sunday;
All scheduled workshops and activities.

A group of friends enjoying a meal at a campsite on a sunny day.

What to bring

Sleeping Bags (Please ensure you have one for each member of your group).
Pillow
Food for the Saturday dinner, snacks and Sunday lunch if you plan to stay for Sunday afternoon activities. Also, remember to bring some snacks.
Flash light
Suitable, comfortable clothing for the outdoor
Toys and books for the kids
Bug spray
Sunscreen
Water bottles
Personal hygiene products
Any personal medication
Camera
Health card for each member of your group.

What is forbidden to bring

Alcohol;
Pets;
Fireworks;
Drugs / cannabis.

Available dates

The 2024 season is now over!

For more details please contact us by email
Email: initiationcamping-learntocamp@pc.gc.ca

Photo gallery

Testimonials: what they loved about their learn to camp experience

Transcript

Start of video showing Parks Canada logo. Start of intro music.

SIMON: The Learn-To camp program is an activity designed to teach the basics of camping. So it’s essentially an activity for people who have never had the opportunity to camp.

TEXT: What was your favourite activity?

My favourite thing first is playing with my kid. Seeing him growing up im very happy.

What I liked the most was learning how to cook for camping.

It was interesting because it gives me some tricks, and I really liked the chef’s battle.

My favourite activity is making new friends, playing with them, and taking a boat ride.

Well for me personally, a fun activity was yesterday night, at the little concert, the singer and the guitar. It was really fun.

You're in a nice atmosphere with campfire, and with the city behind you. We really enjoyed it.

There were a lot of activities to please everyone. We all have our own little preferences.

Mom and I are starting to like yoga more and more, but there are a lot of things that we enjoyed. For the children it was the animals. Find the tracks, the footprints, the style of fur.

My favourite activity is when we spinned the wheel with the animals.

My favourite activity was the bouncy castle and the cooking.

SIMON: These Learn-to Camp events take place here in Montreal, so we are in the heart of the Old Port. Generally we hold two or three a season. So, evidently it’s summer from June to the month of August.

TEXT: For more information : https://www.pc.gc.ca/learntocamp

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