Montreal – The organization known as Scouts urbains announced the start of a new day camp aimed at teaching children to navigate the city without the aid of smartphones. The program, launched on July 27, 2026, targets youth ages nine to fourteen and focuses on using paper maps to locate landmarks, transit stops and neighborhood routes.
The camp runs as a daytime activity in various parts of Montreal, giving participants hands‑on experience in reading traditional maps, planning routes and orienting themselves in the urban environment. Organizers say the initiative is designed to build confidence in young residents who may otherwise rely heavily on digital navigation tools.
Scouts urbains points to a similar effort that has been operating in Toronto for the past ten years as a model for the Montreal version. The Toronto program has demonstrated that repeated exposure to map‑based navigation can improve spatial awareness and encourage independent movement across the city. By adapting the concept to Montreal, the group hopes to provide a comparable learning opportunity for local families.
The camp’s curriculum includes map‑reading lessons, practical exercises in locating points of interest, and group challenges that require participants to plan and follow routes without electronic assistance. Instructors emphasize safety, encouraging campers to stay aware of their surroundings while learning to rely on physical navigation tools.
Parents interested in enrolling their children can register through the Scouts urbains website, where additional details about session dates and locations are provided. The organization notes that the program aligns with broader efforts to promote outdoor skills and reduce screen time among youth.
As urban environments become increasingly digitized, the day camp represents a community‑focused response, offering a structured setting where children can develop practical navigation abilities while engaging with the city’s streets and neighborhoods in a hands‑on manner.