Montreal households of kids with disabilities say they’ve been left scrambling after a specialised summer camp was cancelled attributable to deliberate renovations with no various in place.
Camp Massawippi, which operates out of the Mackay Centre College in Notre-Dame-de-Grace, is not going to run this summer time due to upkeep work on the constructing.
The camp has lengthy offered structured programming for youngsters aged 5 to 21 dwelling with vital bodily disabilities.
For households like Caline Saleh’s, the information got here as a shock.
“It was stunning information for us …as a result of as mother and father we depend on this camp for him to remain within the system. If he doesn’t go to the camp, it’s going to be a really hectic summer time for us,” she mentioned.
Her son has attended the camp for years, and she or he says it performs a important function in sustaining routine and stability past the college yr. Camp Massawippi says the choice to cancel was not theirs.
“We have been knowledgeable by our companions that there have been some repairs within the college that we’re utilizing and it was unimaginable to make use of a part of the college or a part of the yr, when it comes to sure weeks, that was additionally one thing that was explored, in order that website was unavailable.”
Mackay Centre College in Montreal’s NDG neighbourhood, the place Camp Massawippi operates.
The English Montreal College Board (EMSB), which owns the constructing, mentioned the renovations should be accomplished in the course of the summer time months.
Get breaking Nationwide information
Get breaking Canada information delivered to your inbox because it occurs so you will not miss a trending story.
“May different measures be discovered? We’re actually trying into that. However it’s a one-time factor — it’ll be a greater constructing for college kids and for future campers,” mentioned EMSB spokesperson Mike Cohen.
“We utterly perceive the place mother and father are in and we want there was another.”
Whereas some mother and father acknowledge the necessity for repairs, many say the shortage of a backup plan is what’s most regarding.
Story continues beneath commercial
“There’s a couple of different websites which were talked about and I haven’t gotten passable responses to why none of that was attainable,” mentioned father or mother Caroline Elias. Others say the quick discover has left them with few choices.
“I’m working full-time, my husband has deliberate obligations, we bought the discover very late and in a short while, so we don’t know what we’re going to do.”
Households say the camp is greater than only a summer time exercise, it’s a important assist system for youngsters who require specialised care and familiarity.
“We really feel that Mackay and the camp is the most secure place for them. He’s very connected to the college and the camp, so it’s stunning for him and it’s very unhappy. It’s affecting him,” Saleh added.
Dad and mom say they’re now hoping the college board can discover another earlier than summer time begins.
© 2026 World Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.