Edphy International: 60 Years of Heritage and Vision
Val-Morin, June 7, 2025 – This year marks a pivotal moment for Edphy International, which proudly celebrates its 60th anniversary. Founded in 1965 on Olympic values of excellence, respect, and friendship, Edphy has become a key reference in the fields of camps, outdoor education, sports, recreation, and educational tourism. Since its inception, more than half a million youth aged 4 to 16 from Quebec, across Canada, and around the world have experienced the life-shaping impact of Edphy.
Among them, several well-known figures have walked the camp’s paths, including Jean Charest, Jacques Villeneuve, Pierre-Karl Péladeau, and Catherine Éthier.
A Thriving 2025 Season
The 60th anniversary aligns with a promising summer season, marked by a 10% increase in registrations compared to 2024. Nearly 10,000 campers are expected across Edphy’s various sites, including five urban locations. This summer promises to be full of discovery and strongly focused on international outreach.
Since 2014, Edphy has expanded its global network by visiting camps worldwide to deepen its understanding of the camp, language immersion, sports, and recreation industries on a global scale. These visits allow Edphy to explore innovative approaches, stimulate reflection, and evaluate possible synergies—whether in programming, services, or hosting groups at its facilities. These international exchanges recently inspired the creation of activities focused on developing social-emotional skills through outdoor activities and physical movement.
In parallel, the new team has modernized the main Val-Morin site, which is now open year-round. The center hosts a diverse clientele: foundations, associations, corporate and international groups, among others. This evolution remains true to the original mission—making sport accessible to all.
The Visionary Legacy of Mr. Yvan Dubois
Edphy was founded by Yvan Dubois, a pioneer in Quebec’s sports and recreation landscape, who was inducted into the Quebec Sports Hall of Fame and awarded the Order of Canada. A former catcher for the Milwaukee Braves organization, he was later invited by Father Sablon to preside over the Canadian Association of Recreation Centres. This role led him to visit 22 countries to study best practices in sport, leisure, and education. Inspired by these experiences, he founded in 1965 Quebec’s first mixed, private outdoor education center.
A true visionary, Yvan Dubois consistently built bridges between generations and cultures—through initiatives like the Jeux gymniques (now the Jeux du Québec), Mission Québec 76, and later as General Director and Mayor of the Montreal Olympic Village in 1976. Across all his projects, he championed bold ideas of community and coexistence, grounded in dialogue, intercultural exchange, and inclusivity—an approach that still resonates deeply in Edphy’s mission today.
A Memorable Celebration
To commemorate its 60th anniversary, Edphy hosted a large open house at its Val-Morin site. The event featured site tours, reunions, and the inauguration of a permanent exhibition on the camp’s history. Hundreds of people gathered to express their enduring connection to the camp, including alumni, public figures, and valued partners.
Quotes
“This 60th anniversary is a chance to reflect on all the seeds our mission has planted over the years. What makes me proudest is seeing that Edphy leaves a real impact on people—something more lasting than a memory, something that stays with them. It’s also a moment to take a step back, acknowledge how far we’ve come, and most importantly, reaffirm our commitment to making a difference. That, to me, is real success. And that’s exactly what we want to keep cultivating.”
— Marilyse Richard-Robert, President of Edphy International
“Sport and education have always been central in my life, and that’s the spirit in which I founded Edphy. It became more than just a project—it was my baby. I poured my heart into it. Seeing this camp—the first private outdoor center in Quebec—still thriving 60 years later, and staying true to its original mission, moves me deeply. There are few places where you can have such an impact on a young person’s development. Camp is a springboard for independence, confidence, and self-expression. These are life-defining experiences. When I meet adults who tell me Edphy changed their path, it confirms that we’ve created something great. To those now carrying the torch, I wish you as much joy as I had with Edphy.”
— Yvan Dubois, Founder of Edphy International
About Edphy International
Located on 590 acres of Laurentian forest in Val-Morin, just 80 km from Montreal, the Edphy Nature Center has earned national and international recognition for its innovative educational approach and distinctive programs in sports, recreation, and outdoor learning. For decades, it has welcomed participants from Quebec, Canada, and over 40 countries across five continents—including Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America—fostering intercultural connections while offering an environment that supports holistic development through sports, culture, and education.
Edphy also operates five satellite sites in Montreal, Rosemère, and Longueuil as day camps. These locations offer sport and outdoor programming enriched with specialized, language, arts, and technology components.
