Cedar Hill Open Learning

CHOL Creativity Quest Summer Camp. @Mont-Libre ALC. Montreal (Near Metro Jean Talon)

(See below to register)

Cedar Hill Open Learning (CHOL), a Montreal-based Self-Directed Learning (SDL) support community, will be hosting a democratic (SDL) bilingual summer camp that will take place at the Mont-Libre ALC Campus (near Jean Talon Metro) between July 7th and August 29th, 2025. Geared towards kids aged 8 and up, Mont-Libre Creativity Quest Summer camp offers the opportunity for kids to come and explore the arts, music and theatre (and other forms of creativity they might be interested in or want to bring with them) while being invested in free play. Our staff will support kids in:

  • Communicating using some of the principles of Non-Violent Communication (NVC)

  • Developing a sense of independence and curiosity about the world and their place in it and how to be creative around their ideas related to that

  • Strengthening their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being

  • Cooperating and collaborating with others through democratic processes

  • Combination of organized activities and less structured playful creativity

  • Having the opportunity to interact creatively with others, share, and discovering their talents and abilities (independently, collaboratively and co-creatively)

Here are some of the activities that we will offer to the kids and/or have the possibility of doing:

  • As we mentioned, all kinds of activities at least loosely related to art, music, and theatricality (including film and photography).

  • Lots of opportunity to question what creativity really is and then (if we have the resources) explore that.

  • Connecting with the world and nature.

  • Yoga

  • Music, Photography, art, and and and Creativity Challenges

  • Graffitti? 

  • Exploring and perhaps making games that push us to be creative (From RPGs to card games like SET and everything in between)

  • “Scratch” video game design? 

  • The possibility of being off of all screens (for the most part) and exploring only (or almost only) analog art or IRL art. This would remain a choice and would not be something enforced.

WHAT A DAY LOOKS LIKE:

Camp participants are dropped off in the morning and picked up in the afternoon. All our days start with a morning greeting where we state our intentions for the day and discuss the day’s activities. This is a time for everyone to connect, and be mindful of what we intend to do, and provides a space where we can discuss how we want to go about it together. At the end of the day, we come back together to reflect and discuss how things went and what we are proud of. In between, we not only focus on being creative, but also on being playful together, at least in conversation and sharing, learning how to share our strengths, and appreciate the strengths of others in a way that makes everyone feel welcome and included. Our days include a combination of organized activities and unstructured time to help members become more autonomous, to improve their decision-making skills as well as their conflict-resolution abilities.

SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING

CHOL (like Mont-Libre ALC) is based on a belief in self-directed learning, where kids are free to explore their interests and abilities and to be partners in the creation of their experience (although CHOL prefers to not have many screens during the summer and we want kids to explore a variety of activities, we will respect children’s choice to use them (hopefully mainly in the quest for exploring and expressing creativity). Staff create as much as possible a non-hierarchical atmosphere, where staff and children share responsibility for the cultivation of a culture discovery and curiosity.

Most of the organized activities will be run in English, although the environment will remain at least bilingual (English/French) with the possibility of multilingual (English/French/Korean/Spanish/?/?/?)

COST

CHOL Creativity Quest Camp has an introductory rate starting at the equivalent of $35 per day for a 5 day week, with a minimum signup of one week.

So, it’s:

$175 per week (up to 5 days)

$600 for 4 weeks (up to 20 days) (this $100 off when paid all at once at the beginning)

$1100 for 8 weeks (up to 40 days) (this $300 off when paid all at once at the beginning)

The fee does not include lunch or snacks although there will be days when we will likely be making food together.

GET IN TOUCH WITH US

daniel@cedarhillopenlearning.com or by phone at 514-349-5149

LOCATION and HOURS

We are located near the Jean-Talon station at 6790 St-Hubert street. We will definitely be open M-F from 9am to 3pm each day with the option of earlier and later hours depending on the needs of families who sign up.

DEPOSIT

Places are limited at the camp and there is also a minimum of at least 6 kids a week. To secure a place for your child, we ask that you pay a $50 nonrefundable deposit. You can pay your deposit or the full registration fees with Interac (admin@cedarhillopenlearning.com).