A HISTORY

The EDPHY International Nature center adventure begins in 1965 in Val-Morin. Yvan Dubois, president of the Canadian Association of leisure centers at that time, is called to depart on a voyage bringing him to 22 different countries. These trips are to allow him to observe the actions and interventions done in the sports and leisure world. This trip inspires him to establish a private and co-ed Nature Center – the first in Quebec! Such a center that would allow children from all backgrounds and from all social classes to practice sports that are unknown to them or that they would not have known otherwise. The Val-Morin site giving him a glimpse of many possibilities, he acquired it. After several months of work, it welcomes its first summer campers.

Yvan Dubois, who was general manager and mayor of the Olympic Village of the Montreal Games in 1976, will remain Inspired by the Olympic movement, the promotion of sport, education and culture.

“Making the outdoors accessible to all” is the very first motto of the Edphy Nature Center. Driven by his mission, Yvan Dubois quickly develops programs allowing children to participate in outdoor activities during all seasons. In addition to the summer camp, he and his team then welcome dozens of schools from across Quebec to provide them with nature activities. From 1985, they will also welcome groups of adults who wish to experience special moments in harmony with nature. In 1986, Yvan Dubois founded the Académie Laurentienne – today the Collège Laurentien run by an independent corporation – a private educational institution allowing students to combine sports and studies, in addition to offering boarding school facilities.

« “Making the outdoors accessible to all” is the very first motto of the Edphy Nature Center. 

Yvan Dubois, who was general manager and mayor of the Olympic Village of the Montreal Games in 1976, will remain Inspired by the Olympic movement, the promotion of sport, education and culture. His work pays particular attention to the international dimension of the experience offered. Children from all over the world will come to discover Canada and learn a second or third language.

His son Luc Dubois took over in 1992 and actively participated in the growth of EDPHY. From 1999 onwards, among other things, it will develop summer day camps, always promoting the practice of physical activities, but also offering linguistic, artistic, and technological programs as a complement to the stay.

Again today, Edphy International continues to pursue its mission, with the same philosophy and the same passion as from the start. Having welcomed more than half a million children since the 1960s – from over 40 different countries! -, Edphy enjoys national and international reach. Its current management continues and updates its development around a happy blend of tradition and innovation, attentive to both children and lasting values, under the banner of perfect respect, fraternity and equality, that as well in its camp programs and with groups.