Montreal has launched a new day camp called Urban Scouts, designed to teach children how to navigate the city without the aid of smartphones, using paper maps. The camp, operated by Scouts urbains, is open to participants aged nine to fourteen.
The program began on Monday, 27 July 2026, and follows a ten‑year tradition of similar urban navigation camps that have been running in Toronto. The Toronto initiative provides the model for the Montreal effort, which adapts the same hands‑on approach for local youth.
Camp attendees will learn to locate specific sites, read street grids, and plan routes relying solely on printed maps. Instruction focuses on practical abilities such as interpreting landmarks, estimating distances, and understanding the layout of public transit without digital assistance.
Organisers state the goal is to give young people confidence to move around the city independently, reducing dependence on mobile devices. The camp operates during daytime hours, allowing families to keep children engaged in the city while school is out.
The launch reflects a growing interest in reviving analog navigation skills among youth, especially as smartphone usage dominates daily life. By introducing these techniques early, the camp aims to nurture a generation capable of navigating Montreal’s streets with or without technology.