The Ancré-actifs, Mont-Tremblant and region’s free learning centre – CAL, the centre d’apprentissage libre – has as its mission the support of parents who have chosen home schooling. During the school year, these parents have the flexibility of registering their children from one to three days a week. In summer, the CAL extends its services to all families through the Camp de la Tortue.

In founding the organization in March 2022, Amélie Phaneuf, Marilyne Demers and Amanda Rawlins joined forces to provide new socialization and learning opportunities for their children. The not-for-profit organization is currently putting together its board of directors and recruiting members of the larger community – parents or not – in order to diversify the expertise around the table.

Routine without routine

At CAL, every morning starts with a word circle where the facilitators invite the children to express their feelings and their wishes, but the CAL founders don’t allow themselves to impose a routine on the children. It’s the child who indicates what he or she is ready to learn.

Amélie Phaneuf hopes to transmit to children the values of sociocracy. According to her, functioning in a horizontal mode from the youngest age develops the sense of organization and prepares the individual for life in society.

A new, welcoming site

Starting in September, CAL moves to Mont-Tremblant. The children will have access to a stimulating base camp for their learning in nature.

An open house day is planned for Saturday, September 9 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The children will experience a typical CAL morning. The program: word circle, activities and lunch. The thirty or so parents already involved in CAL will be able to respond to questions from new families. On the site, registration will be open for fall and winter.

To learn more, please write to Amélie and Marilyne at: cal.ancreatifs@gmail.com

More from this author by clicking on her photo below.