Serving Our Community Through the Arts
For generations, we’ve supported local families by creating a welcoming creative environment for children.
Our Story
Decades of creativity, growth, and community.
Established in the 1970s, the Dollard Fine Arts Summer Camp is a longstanding program of the Dollard Centre for the Arts, a nonprofit community organization proudly serving Dollard-des-Ormeaux and the surrounding area. Operating primarily out of the DDO Civic Centre, the camp has welcomed generations of families for over five decades.
Guided by passionate artists and experienced educators, the program has grown and evolved while remaining committed to providing thoughtful, arts-focused summer experiences that nurture young creatives and strengthen our local community.
Our Camp Philosophy
At the heart of everything we do is a simple belief: children learn best when they feel safe, respected, and free to be themselves.
Our camp is built on kindness, creativity, and the understanding that every child deserves to be heard.
Respect, Always
We do not raise our voices at children. Our approach is rooted in patience, empathy, and mutual respect. When challenges arise, we guide with understanding rather than discipline through fear. Every child is treated with dignity.
Art as Expression
Art is not about perfection - it is about expression, exploration, and discovery. We encourage children to take risks, try new things, and find their own creative voice without pressure or judgment.
Community & Connection
Camp is a place where friendships are forged, where children learn from one another, and where a sense of belonging grows naturally. We nurture connections between campers, staff, and families.
Teaching & Mentorship
Our educators are mentors first. They meet each child where they are, offering support and encouragement tailored to individual needs. Learning happens through doing, experimenting, and being gently guided along the way.
Room for Fun & Play
Children need to be children. Every week includes unstructured time for play, laughter, and simply enjoying being together. We believe that joy is an essential ingredient in learning and growing.
Growing as People
Beyond artistic skills, we help children develop confidence, resilience, and social awareness. Our camp is a space where young people grow not just as artists, but as compassionate, thoughtful individuals.
Our Approach to Integration
As part of our mission to serve the community, we have made a deliberate commitment to supporting children of all abilities.
Over the past six years, we have built and expanded a dedicated team of Social Integrators and invested in specialized training to provide individualized support where it is needed.
Supporting children with diverse needs requires preparation, structure, and skilled staff. Our approach is practical and thoughtful — designed to ensure safety, participation, and positive experiences for everyone involved.
Adaptive Techniques
We modify materials and techniques to ensure every child can participate fully. From grip-friendly brushes to sensory-friendly spaces, accessibility is built into every activity.
Specialized Training
Our staff receives comprehensive training in special education strategies, communication techniques, and behavioral support to create a nurturing environment for all learners.
Sensory Considerations
We provide quiet spaces, flexible schedules, and sensory-friendly materials to support children with sensory processing needs.
All Children Benefit
Some parents wonder whether inclusion affects their child's experience. In practice, our structured approach ensures that every camper receives the attention and support they need. Many families find that children develop empathy, patience, and a deeper understanding of others — while continuing to grow creatively and socially.
Children learn that people have different strengths and challenges, and that shared experiences can build confidence and character. With experienced staff and thoughtful planning, every camper's summer remains positive, safe, and meaningful.
A Message from Our Director
Caroline Di Nunzio
Camp Director
Dear families,
Welcome to the Dollard Fine Arts Summer Camp! Art has always been both my passion and my refuge — a space of calm, expression, discovery, and fulfillment — and nothing makes me happier than sharing this and seeing the same quiet joy emerge in children.
Our camp is a place where every child is encouraged and supported as they grow in their own unique way. Whether your child is just getting started or is already a budding artist, we are here to nurture their creativity and help them thrive.
I am deeply grateful for the trust you place in me and our team. That trust is something I never take for granted, and it drives me to make every session the best it can be.
I look forward to welcoming your family this summer,
Cjdinunzio
A lifelong artist and painter, Caroline holds a BFA in Art Education with a minor in Psychology and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Child Studies. Over the past 10+ years at the camp, she has served as a teacher, Director of Adapted Services for four years, and is now in her second year as Camp Director — bringing both artistic passion and experience in child development to her leadership.
During the school year, she works as a Special Education Technician with the Lester B. Pearson School Board in a specialized, small-group classroom for students aged 5–8 who experience social, emotional, and behavioural challenges. The program is evidence-based and overseen by a clinical psychologist, with ongoing collaboration among families and professionals to support each child’s development. Caroline brings that same depth of care, structure, and informed practice to the camp.
Camp Location Update
For many years, our camp has proudly operated out of the DDO Civic Centre. Following the island-wide floods at the end of 2024, our basement space was significantly impacted and required substantial repairs.
During the restoration process, it became clear that more extensive plumbing and infrastructure work was needed due to the location of our space below ground level. These additional repairs have extended the timeline for our return.
In Summer 2025, we successfully operated out of the Spring Garden Park chalet and were grateful to borrow gym space from Bois-de-Liesse Primary School. While the season was a success, we also learned that this temporary arrangement was not ideal for the long term.
For Summer 2026, we are actively securing a new temporary location that will better serve our campers and staff. Registration will open as soon as this is finalized.
We currently anticipate returning to our home at the DDO Civic Centre in 2027.
We sincerely thank you for your patience, flexibility, and continued support during these exceptional circumstances. We understand that location stability is important to families and apologize for any inconvenience this ongoing transition may cause.
Join Us This Summer
Give your child a summer of creativity, friendship, joyful exploration, and real artistic growth.