The soundtrack of summer sounds a little different at Camp Valiquette; alongside camp songs are conversations about academics and financial literacy. Founder and director Jay Valiquette created Valiquette Academy in 2010. More than 9000 young people from Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce and surrounding communities have since signed up for the camp. “The summer makes a life-changing difference for (children) because they come in and maybe they’re a little shy. Maybe they lack a little bit of confidence, but when they see that they can recite all the planets and the concepts and the oceans and we can sing all the songs, etcetera, they go, ‘wow, I can do this,’” Valiquette says. The program blends academics with arts and sports for those from age five to 12. After struggling in school as a child himself, the founder says helping those in need is close to his heart. Regular fees are kept low at a subsidized rate of $170 per week. However, further reduced rates are available on a case-by-case basis. “Single moms come for $25 a week. We’ve got you, CLSC NDG, CLSC Côte-des-Neiges send us their children as well. They’ll pay for two and a half weeks, and we’ll give six and a half weeks for free,” Valiquette tells CTV. It isn’t about the money. What brings Valiquette the most gratification is seeing campers grow into staff members who continue to learn and give back themselves. “I volunteered at 13, 14, 15, and now I’m 16. And I got hired this year. So this is my fourth summer,” 16-year-old Geneva Ricamonte says. “I’ve (learned) so much in here. I did the McGill financial course. I have my certificate. I also am doing right now AI courses,” 18-year-old camp staffer Deborah Fenelus tells CTV. “Jay is a great mentor. You know, he never gives up on anybody. But you have to accept his help,” 20-year-old camper-turned staffer Linald Jaye Mendez Fox says. “(Jay’s) helping me with the CV and my CV is looking really great,” 17-year-old Rodrigo Rivera Soto adds. While camp runs for only a few weeks, Valiquette hopes the lessons learned will last a lifetime.
