Association des Camps du Québec

What Association des Camps du Québec does

Association des Camps du Québec (ACQ) is a non-profit association founded in 1961 at the initiative of vacation camp directors and recognized by the Government of Quebec as the National Recreation Organization (Organisme national de loisir, ONL) for the camp sector. Headquartered in Montréal with a permanent team of approximately 15 staff, ACQ serves nearly 500 member camps across Quebec — including OBNLs, private enterprises, municipalities, charitable organizations and cooperatives — and the families, schools, and job-seekers who interact with them. Its core offerings include a certification program with 80+ standards for vacation, day and family camps and a separate compliance framework of nearly 50 standards for municipal day camps, all verified through annual site visits.

ACQ operates a suite of digital platforms: a self-service camp search engine on campsquebec.com, a member-only resource portal, the Réflexe mobile application (50+ validated offline emergency protocols), the PeP ton jeu mobile application (over 1,000 camp games with offline access), the Repère culturel digital resource (200+ songs), and a job board listing nearly 200 camp positions. Its product surface extends to training programs including Remue-Méninges (40+ workshops delivered on-site or virtually, with 25+ years of history), UrsaMajor (the first camp-management qualification program in Quebec), the annual Coordo-Académie event, the PAAM youth training program launched in Winter 2026, and the Destination C.A.M.P. financial-support program launched in 2022.

Revenue is generated through annual membership dues from member camps, fee-for-service training delivery, congress and event fees with exhibitor/sponsorship revenue, and an official supplier program with Gold, Silver and Bronze tier partnerships (EgR Insurance, IDEACONCEPT, Decathlon Pro, RONA, Qidigo, Planitou, among others). The association also receives Quebec government funding as a recognized ONL and collaborates with the national Association des camps du Canada (ACC) to extend member benefits. Its go-to-market is community-led: direct-to-family via the website and social channels (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, newsletters), direct-to-operator via training, the annual congress, and a private Facebook group for camp managers, and direct-to-schools via nature class programs tied to government funding (Mesure 15023).

Name

Association des Camps du Québec

Legal name

Association des camps du Québec

Website

https://campsquebec.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Association des Camps du Québec (ACQ) is a Quebec-registered non-profit and government-recognized National Recreation Organization serving nearly 500 member camps through certification (80+ standards), training (Remue-Méninges, UrsaMajor), mobile apps (Réflexe, PeP ton jeu), and a camp search engine, reaching families, schools, and camp operators across the province.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Camping Industry Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (81392), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

National Governing Bodies (NGBs) (MPAKAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

Keywords

• Camp certification services
• Youth recreation association
• Camp safety standards
• Outdoor education programs
• Camp training services

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from nearly 500 member camps including OBNLs, private enterprises, municipalities, charitable organizations, and cooperatives.
2. Training Services (Remue-Méninges): Customized training programs for camp animation and coordination staff, including 25+ animation workshops and 10+ coordination workshops, delivered on-site or virtually.
3. Professional Development (UrsaMajor): Camp management qualification programs and ongoing professional development culminating at the annual ACQ Congress.
4. Congress and Events: Annual congress bringing together camp professionals, with exhibitor booths and sponsorship opportunities. Event in November 2026 expects 400+ managers.
5. Official Supplier Program: Partnerships with official suppliers offering products and services to member camps, with preferred pricing arrangements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Association des Camps du Québec (ACQ) is a non-profit association that develops and administers certification standards, training programs, member resources, and digital tools for the Quebec camp industry. It certifies nearly 500 member camps against 80+ standards covering safety, supervision, programming, environment, and nutrition, and operates member-exclusive portals, mobile apps (Réflexe, PeP ton jeu), a job board, a supplier directory, and an annual congress. For families, ACQ operates a free online camp search engine and school-aligned nature class programs.

Product overview

Association des Camps du Québec (ACQ) operates as a camp association rather than a traditional product company, offering a platform of interconnected services for the Quebec camp industry. The core offerings include a camp search engine (Recherche de camps) for families to find certified camps, a member dashboard (Zone membre) for camp management, and over 300 tools and resources. ACQ provides training programs including Formations Remue-Méninges (40+ workshops) and UrsaMajor (camp management qualification), mobile applications like Réflexe (50+ emergency protocols) and PeP ton jeu (1000+ games database), the Repère culturel digital resource (200+ songs), and the Destination C.A.M.P. financial support program. The organization also manages a certification program with 80+ standards, an official supplier directory, a job board, and the PAAM youth training program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Formations Remue-Méninges: Training team offering animation and coordination training for camp staff
• UrsaMajor
• Destination C.A.M.P.
• Réflexe
• PeP ton jeu
• Répit parents

Products and services

• Recherche de camps (Camp Search Engine) Online directory enabling families across Quebec to search for certified vacation, day, and family camps filtered by region, dates, age, specialty, and camp type.
• Zone membre (Member Dashboard) Authenticated online portal for member camps to manage their organization profile, site data, and access exclusive member resources.
• Outils et ressources (Tools and Resources) Member-exclusive library of over 300 tools and resources available to certified camps and compliant municipal day camps, including emergency protocols, inclusion guidelines, and regulatory references.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 80 standards ensure camp safety and quality
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, gold, silver and bronze.

• Association des camps du Canada (ACC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational association partnership providing ACQ members access to ACC commercial partners and discount programs. ACC is the national body for camps in Canada.
• EgR (Assurance de dommages)goldOthersQuebec leader in property damage insurance. Offers personalized insurance programs for camps with preferred member rates.
• IDEACONCEPTgoldOthersAudiovisual solutions provider offering event services, equipment rental, sales and integration, and support. 25% discount on audiovisual equipment rental and 10% on purchases for members.
• QuasepgoldOthersMulti-supplier procurement program with cash back and discounts established with manufacturer and distributor partners. Free membership for members.
• Camps de magiesilverOthersMagic animation services for over 20 years in Quebec. Offers interactive shows, themed days, specialized camps, and workshops. Minimum pricing for members.
• Cardio ChocsilverOthersLargest defibrillator distributor in Canada with Health Canada certified products and Cardio-Secours training. Group purchasing program and discounts for members.
• Decathlon ProsilverOthersSports equipment for 60+ sports with approximately 5000 products. Group purchasing program for members.
• Formation LangevinsilverOthersFirst aid training provider since 1994 across Quebec. Group purchase training formula in 3 regions of Quebec.
• Formation Remue-MéningessilverOthersReference for camp training in Quebec for over 20 years. Animation, coordination, intervention, and recreation sector training. Reduced hourly rates for members.
• Grand and Toy LimitéesilverOthersCanadian office products and services provider. Group purchasing program with 750+ products at competitive prices and up to 15% off retail prices for members.
• Lü – Aire de jeu interactivesilverTechnology or IntegrationInteractive audiovisual solution transforming physical activity. Premium subscription Lü+ offered free for one summer (value $500+) for members.
• RONAsilverOthersBuilding materials and maintenance supplies. 5% to 15% discount on everything in store for building maintenance. Group purchasing program for members.
• 45 Degrés NordbronzeOthersObstacle course experience (5km) and sports activities on 8+ million square foot site. 10% discount on group reservations for members.
• Activity MessengerbronzeTechnology or IntegrationDay camp management software simplifying online registration, automating manual tasks, and personalizing SMS and email communications. 10% discount on monthly fee for members.
• QidigobronzeTechnology or IntegrationCamp registration management platform with intuitive interface, secure payments, and specialized camp registration process. 10% discount first year for members.
• PlanitoubronzeTechnology or IntegrationDigital attendance management tool allowing real-time parent communication about child movements. 50% discount on initial activation fee for members.
• Logiciels Sport-PlusbronzeTechnology or IntegrationOnline registration management software. First year at half price for members.
• Croisières AMLbronzeOthers#1 cruise-excursion company in Canada with departures from Montreal, Quebec, Berthier-sur-Mer, and Tadoussac. 1 free for every 15 paying customers for members.
• SCADALLIANCEbronzeOthersAutonomous analyzers for precise E.Coli and Enterococci bacteria quantification on-site. Free training and support during first weeks for members.
• SIRUSMEDxbronzeOthersTraining for confident intervention in isolated regions combining prevention, practical first aid, and risk management. 10% discount on first aid, safety, and risk management training for member camp teams.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• British Columbia Camps Association: Western Canadian provincial camp association offering accreditation, standards, and member support. Operates a similar membership and certification framework as ACQ but is geographically separate.
• Ontario Camps Association: Provincial camp association in Ontario that accredits camps and offers member services in the same way ACQ does in Quebec; comparable mandate and structure but operates in a different Canadian province without direct head-to-head competition.

Others

• Sport Québec: Quebec provincial federation coordinating sport and recreation organizations; comparable in structure as a provincial umbrella body and shares ACQ's ONL ecosystem and government-funding relationships.
• Réseau québécois pour développer le loisir (RQL): Quebec network supporting municipal recreation and leisure, including day camps in cities and community centers. Relevant adjacency because ACQ's municipal camp compliance framework is designed for camps that may sit under municipal recreation structures like RQL members.
• Réseau des Sports du Québec (RSQ): Quebec umbrella for provincial sport federations and member service delivery. Structurally similar as an association-of-associations body, useful for benchmarking ACQ's role as a national recreation organization in the same ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Loisir et Sport Québec: Provincial umbrella organization recognized by Quebec that supports and federates national recreation organizations (ONLs) like ACQ. Functions as the broader sector authority that ACQ operates under, making it a key institutional counterpart.
• YMCA Québec: Large Quebec recreation organization that runs day camps, overnight camps, and youth programs; operates its own branded camps and is a relevant peer to ACQ's members (camp operators) rather than to ACQ itself, but useful as a comparable scaled camp operator in the same geography.

Direct peers

• American Camp Association: The leading U.S. camp membership and accreditation body, running a comparable accreditation program, annual conference, professional development, and member resources for camp operators and families. Highly relevant analog for ACQ's certification, training, and community model.
• Canadian Camping Association / Association des camps du Canada: National-level Canadian camping association serving as ACQ's direct counterpart at the federal tier. ACQ explicitly partners with this body to extend commercial benefits to members, making it the closest functional peer in mandate and offering.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@campsquebec
• Facebookfacebook.com/gestionnairesdecamps
• Instagraminstagram.com/campsquebec
• TikToktiktok.com/@campsquebec
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/association-des-camps-du-qu%C3%A9bec

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Association des Camps du Québec