About the Camp

Welcome to Pripstein’s Camp Mishmar, a traditional overnight camp located in the beautiful Laurentian Mountains, 60 miles north of Montreal, Canada. We offer a wide selection of waterfront, athletic and creative activities and some of the most exciting facilities in all of camping! The camp was founded 73 years ago by Chaim and Pearl Pripstein near St. Jerome, Quebec, Canada. In 1954, the camp moved to its present location in St. Adolphe d’Howard, Quebec where it owns 200 acres bordering three lakes. The Pripstein/Braverman family has retained ownership throughout the camp’s history.

Philosophy: The Four Stars of Pripstein’s

We create a warm, relaxed, family atmosphere at camp through much personal attention to each camper. By making campers feel that they are at a “home away from home”, they are much more at ease to participate and enjoy activities and get used to group living. One can summarize our approach focusing on the 4 stars of Pripstein’s: Family, Fitness, Friendship, and Facilities.

Health

The safety and health of our campers and staff is of paramount importance. We have a doctor and two nursing assisants living on-site, available to handle any medical problems which may arise. Clinics are held twice daily in our infirmary, while the regional hospital and x-ray clinics are located just 8 miles from the camp. Should a significant medical issue arise, or should a camper have to spend more than one night in the infirmary, our doctor would contact the parents.

Food

We are proud of our food service, which features kosher-style meals (kosher meat option available, contact us), fresh vegetables and fruits twice daily, and a wide variety of Italian, Chinese, Mexican, Greek and Jewish-American specialties. Everyone’s favourite is our legendary 40-item salad bar open at every lunch. Tasty vegetarian options are available at every meat meal. Campers receive daily mid-afternoon and bed-time snacks, as well as treats from the canteen three times weekly. A fresh fruit bowl is always there for those with hunger pangs between meals and snacks. Parents of nut-allergic children should note that as of summer 2013, we will be serving soy-based peanut butter substitute portions instead of peanut butter portions at the dining hall. We do not bake nor cook using nuts or peanut oil.

Accommodations

Campers live in dormitory-style cabins. Cabins are equipped with washrooms and electrical facilities, as well as smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and emergency lights. Every night, there is at least one "O.D." (On-Duty person) in each cabin from the campers' bedtime until the counsellors' curfew.

Camp Structure

Campers are generally grouped in bunks of approximately 8 to 10 campers with two counsellors plus specialists and CITs. Campers completed grades 1 to 3 are part of the Junior Section. Campers completed grades 4 and 5 form the Inter Section, while the Senior Section is comprised of campers completed grades 6 and up. In older senior bunks, 2 groups of same age/grade often run together as a “double” bunk, with appropriate staff/camper ratios maintained. Junior campers go to activities with their own groups while older campers have some individual electives in their schedule.