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Adapted Services
The Notre-Dame-de-Fatima Centre is proud to offer a wide range of adapted and inclusive services for children, teens, and adults with special needs (hearing impairment, language disorder, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, or multiple disabilities). Our mission is to provide every participant with a camp experience that is unique, authentic, and inclusive.
We promote play, discovery, independence, socialization, and participation in outdoor, artistic, and sports activities — all within an environment where everyone can fully experience the spirit of camp.
With the valuable support of the Paul-Leboeuf Foundation, we continue to grow our adapted services and ensure the long-term sustainability of our facilities. The Foundation is proud to help expand access to inclusive camp experiences for more people with special needs while offering essential peace of mind to their families.
Paul-Leboeuf Foundation
Specialized Camps
Summer Camp
From June to August, the Notre-Dame-de-Fatima Centre offers the ultimate camp experience: specialized and immersive summer camps. These authentic and inclusive stays are designed for children, teens, and adults living with special needs (hearing impairment, language disorder, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, or multiple disabilities).
Each stay is carefully structured and includes personalized support ratios (1:1, 1:2, or 1:4), safe and comfortable lodging, nutritious meals, and a rich program of seasonal activities.
Arc-en-ciel Day Camp Program
The Arc-en-ciel program welcomes children aged 4 to 14 with special needs (autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, or multiple disabilities). This adapted program provides personalized support with 1:1 or 1:2 supervision ratios, ensuring every child receives the attention and guidance they need.
With its inclusive and nurturing approach, the day camp helps each child thrive through a variety of outdoor activities in a safe, stimulating, and ability-appropriate environment.
Sharing
Equality
Sharing
Equality
Sharing
Equality
Respite Stays & Group
Respite Care
The weekend respite service, offered from September to June, provides a much-needed break for families of children, teens, and adults living with a hearing impairment, a language disorder, an intellectual disability, an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or multiple disabilities. These adapted overnight stays offer personalized support ratios (1:1, 1:2, or 1:4), allowing every camper to enjoy stimulating, enriching moments at camp in a safe and caring environment.
Group Stays
Every group stay at the Notre-Dame-de-Fatima Centre is a meaningful human experience rooted in inclusion, sharing, openness, and respect.
We warmly welcome children, teens, and adults with special needs — whether they have a hearing impairment, a language disorder, an intellectual disability, an autism spectrum disorder, or multiple disabilities. Located on a stunning natural site where each season brings new opportunities and discoveries, we make planning your stay simple. We offer several all-inclusive adapted lodging packages to ensure the success of your group event.
Financial Accessibility Program
Financial assistance is available to help families access the adapted services offered at the Notre-Dame-de-Fatima Centre. Each service (summer camp, respite, Arc-en-ciel program) offers its own criteria and financial support options. For more details, please consult the dedicated page for each adapted service.
Frequently Asked Questions
For summer camp and weekend respite, we offer support ratios of 1:4, 1:2, and 1:1, while the Arc-en-ciel day camp program provides 1:2 or 1:1 supervision. The appropriate support ratio for each participant is determined during the intake assessment and the on-site evaluation at the Centre.
The Notre-Dame-de-Fatima Centre is proudly certified by the Association des camps du Québec (ACQ), ensuring the highest standards of quality and safety.
Our counsellors and support staff complete more than 50 hours of training before the start of the Arc-en-ciel season and 60 hours for summer camp. Their energy, dedication, and compassion are at the heart of our mission.
Training includes the DAFA leadership certification, along with specialized sessions related to the participant population, interventions, and summer camp operations.
Yes. Financial support is available.
- Summer Camp: Families receive a discount provided by the Centre through the Financial Assistance Program for Access to Summer Camps (PAFACV). More details
- Weekend Respite: Families receive a discount supported by the Community Organizations Support Program (PSOC). More detail
Additional financial aid may be available based on family income, ranging from 0% to 45% of the pre-tax stay cost (application form required). Applications must include the Revenu Québec tax assessment (line 199) for both parents, when applicable.
All our outdoor activity areas — including climbing, archery, and watercraft — are accessible to campers with special needs. We support and guide each participant to ensure success while respecting their physical abilities.
- Year-round activities: hebertism course, giant foosball, swings and play modules, large outdoor spaces, campfire, basketball court, multipurpose rooms, sports/game equipment
- Winter: tube sliding, snowshoe trails, cross-country skiing, snow scooters, broomball
- Spring, summer & fall: water activities, archery, climbing, beach volleyball, dek hockey, swimming (summer only)
Last year, we welcomed 1,185 campers and offered them an environment that fosters play, discovery, and friendship. At the same time, we provided 516 families with a much-needed break and the opportunity to recharge.
Benefits for participants with special needs:
- Stimulation of overall development
- Growth of social and communication skills
- Emotional support and a strong sense of security
- Increased self-esteem and confidence
- Reduced isolation
Benefits for parents and caregivers:
- Reduced stress and burnout
- Improved family balance and daily well-being
- Trust in trained and experienced support staff
- A positive outlook on the child’s development
- Time for themselves and for other family members
In everything we do, we promote sharing, openness, respect, and inclusion. Participants from special needs programs (summer camp, respite, Arc-en-ciel) interact with neurotypical campers throughout our site.
The Centre welcomes children and adults with hearing impairments, language disorders, intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and multiple disabilities.
Meals for summer camp and weekend respite are served in the cafeteria and planned by our kitchen team. During the needs assessment meeting, we gather information about allergies, dietary restrictions, and food sensitivities. This information is added to the camper’s file and shared with the kitchen staff. The assessment also allows us to discuss sleep accommodations and medication details as needed.