Our History
1926 – Msgr. Gerald McShane founds Camp Kinkora. Original land area was 100 acres.
1968 – Four (4) new camps are created by Camp Kinkora: Diocesan Folk Music Camp, Liturgy, Christian Family Movement, and Youth-In-Action.
1986 – Diocesan Folk Music Camp changes its name to Pathways Camp, a week designated for youth aged 14-17.
1988 – Elaine Franklin becomes the first Director of the Diocesan Camping Association (DCA) – grouping Manna Family Camp, Diocesan Family Camp (DFC), Diocesan Liturgy Camp (DLC), Youth In Action Camp (YA) and Pathways. DCA oversees all Faith-Based Camp programs operating under the umbrella of the Montreal Catholic Diocese.
1990 – Pathways changes its name to Visions Camp. Manna Family Camp stops going to Camp Kinkora and is no longer a member of DCA.
2001 – Cori-Ann Surette and Anna Graham become directors of DCA.
2008 – Visions Camp expands its camper range to 13 – 19 year olds.
2019 – Heidi Clavet and Pierre Barakat become Coordinators
of DCA.
- Diocesan Liturgy Camp changes its name to Daylight Camp and rebrands with a
new logo.
2020
& 2021 – All camps offer Online Camp or Camp in the
City in response to Camp Kinkora closing due to the pandemic.
- DCA develops its inclusion policy to assure that its LGBTQ+ campers feel safe
at our camps.
- DCA develops a new cell phone policy, officially making program time
cellphone free (campers and staff). An evening cellphone policy is developed so
that campers can fully enjoy their camping experience without worrying about their
online presence.
2022 – Youth in Action and Daylight Camp extend their camper age to 15 year olds, to welcome back campers who missed their senior camp year due to the pandemic.
2023 – All camps have a final mass in honor of their 55 years serving the
Montreal English Catholic Community.
- Diocesan Family Camp changes its name to DFC Family Camp.
2024 – All camp directors and certain DCA alumni meet to discuss the future
of DCA in order to continue to grow in the years to come. A new name and
mission is discussed.
- DFC Family Camp changes its name to Friends & Family Camp (FFC) and
creates a new logo.
- Diocesan Camping Association changes its name to Discovery Camping
Association.
Although DCA has been through many changes, we continue our longstanding
tradition to create fun and enriching summer programs for children, teens and families.
Our philosophy:
“To
foster an environment of safety, inclusiveness, respect and kindness for all.”
