Summer Retreat FAQs
Registration FAQs
To register, please fill out the registration form on our Registration page. A form must be completed for every participant (including children). Once we receive your form(s), an invoice will be sent within (2) business days. Your place will not be held until the invoice is paid in full.
If you are between the ages of 18-36, you may be interested in applying for the Azrieli Scholarship Program. For Bursary Applications, click here.
Please review the information on our Pricing and Registration page before registering.
If you have any questions, please contact info@klezkanada.org
You can see our full pricing guide, as well as opportunities for financial aid, work exchange, and scholarships, to on our Pricing and Registration page.
We offer discounts for family groups. You can find this information on our Pricing and Registration page.
Registered participants who cancel on or before Monday, July 6th, 2026 will receive a full refund minus a $250 per person administration fee. Refunds after this date incur a $250 per person administration fee and an additional $250 per person fee to cover some of the committed costs to our vendors. Add-ons for bedding or shuttle tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.
No refunds or discounts will be issued for cancellation on or after August 1st. This applies to full cancellations, late arrival or early departure. The only exception to this policy would be in the event of a medical emergency, which would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Azrieli Scholarship recipients who cancel on or before August 1st will be subject to a $50 cancellation fee. No refund will be issued after this date.
If you would like to cancel your registration and request a refund, please contact info@klezkanada.org. Please note our cancellation policy, as outlined in the question above and on our Pricing and Registration page.
You may add a shuttle ticket or bedding to your registration until July 6, 2026. After that date, we cannot guarantee the availability of shuttle space or bedding.
The form to add just a shuttle will be available on the registration page of our website in June.
Shuttle tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. In the event you are no longer needing your shuttle ticket, please do let us know so we can have an accurate list of who will be using the shuttle(s). The cost of an unused shuttle ticket goes towards making the shuttle more accessible for others.
Venue, Meals, and other Logistics FAQs
Our venue is Dos bisele glik (Le P’tit bonheur), a beautiful facility in the Laurentian mountains. Dos bisele glik is situated on the shores of Lac Quenouille, surrounded by hiking trails, and has four-season (heated) accommodation. With easy access to Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts and Montreal, the venue has operated as an outdoor leisure centre for over 60 years. We are excited to show you around: indoor and outdoor dining options, a variety of indoor and tented classrooms, comfortable common spaces, and a lakefront with swimming and boating.
Dos bisele glik offers a range of basic accommodation options. Participants should expect a camp environment rather than a hotel. Most rooms sleep 6 people, with bunk beds, cupboards in the room, and private bathrooms or shared bathrooms on each floor. All mattresses are standard summer camp mattresses. It is possible to attend the Summer Retreat program with an Offsite Pass if the accommodations onsite do not suit your needs.
You can find a full description of all accommodation types on our Venue page.
You can find details about the catering on our Venue page.
All meals and snacks will be vegetarian/pescatarian, with vegan options for those with dietary restrictions. If you have more specific questions about dietary needs, please write to us at info@klezkanada.org.
Note that snacks will be provided. While you are welcome to bring some of your own favourite snacks to the retreat, we ask that you be mindful of what you bring and where you consume it. The site is strictly nut and shellfish free, so please do not bring any peanut, nut, or shellfish products with you. Please also ask roommates or those around you if they have any allergies before eating your own food in shared space. There will not be refrigeration or kitchen access available to participants. If you have medication that requires refrigeration, please contact us at info@klezkanada.org.
You can find details about the venue on our Accessibility page.
Dos Bisele Glik has WiFi access, but participants should be aware that WiFi can be slow, limited, and spotty in the mountains and with such a large group of people. We highly recommend downloading anything you need before arriving at the retreat. Participants are expected to disconnect from the WiFi when not using it, to keep the network as functional as possible. We hope that participants enjoy a mostly unplugged week at camp.
You can find our current COVID-19 Safety Policy here.
It’s important to pack for both warm and cold weather for camp, as the weather in the Laurentian mountains fluctuates considerably in August. The days can be quite summery and beautiful, but Dos bisele glik/Le P'tit bonheur is north of Montreal and the temperature can be much cooler than the city. Mornings can be chilly, evenings and nights can get cold. Sometimes it rains. Sometimes it rains a lot. Then again, the weather is often gorgeous and the days are warm enough to go swimming. So, we suggest bringing a rain jacket, solid shoes, and sunscreen.
All indoor accommodations can be heated but not air conditioned.
Practice:
- Bring anything pertinent to your practice (i.e. your musical instrument!), sheet music, music stands, etc.
- Anyone with the intention of dancing (which should be all of you!) but especially those planning to attend the dance classes (which, again, should be all of you!) should bring comfortable shoes for dancing – flip flops are unacceptable dance shoes.
- We strongly recommend that students bring recorders (tape/minidisk/digital) in order to tape lessons and ensembles for later review. Don’t forget: extra batteries, a microphone, extra discs, cords, and chargers.
Rooming:
- Please bring your own sheets and bedding, unless you have requested bedding (for a small fee) as part of your registration.
- Bring your own towels and toiletries (if you have requested the bedding kit with registration, you will be given one towel).
- Flip-flops for the showers.
- Ear plugs and eye masks are recommended for personal comfort in shared space.
Clothing:
- Please make sure that you bring enough clothing for the full week. There are no laundry facilities available during the Summer Retreat.
- We recommend that you bring warm clothing with you, especially as we will be holding as much programming outdoors as possible and opening windows for airflow. It can get cold at night so bring a warm sweater, a tuque (for the non-Canadians, that’s a ski-hat), a scarf, etc.
- Raingear (rainjacket, waterproof shoes)
- As the ground in the country can be affected by the weather, please bring supportive shoes with good traction for your safety and comfort.
- Despite the evening temperatures, the days can be very warm. You will probably want casual summer clothing for daily wear. Bring clothes that you can be comfortable in – think summer camp. Don’t forget sunglasses, sunscreen, a bathing suit, and sandals.
- Many participants like to dress up a little bit on Shabes. Not formal, but nice. Some may want to bring a yarmulke or hat.
- Many participants like to dress up for our annual themed tantshoyz (dance party)! You can find the tantshoyz theme in the program.
Other:
- Masks, COVID-19 rapid tests, and hand sanitizer. Please see our COVID-19 Safety guidelines here.
- Camera and extra film
- Earplugs (for sensitive ears during classes or concerts, for sharing cabins with roommates, etc.).
- A flashlight or headlamp for walking around camp at night is HIGHLY recommended
- A reusable water bottle and reusable coffee cup for warm beverages.
- Bug spray. There are often mosquitos buzzing around.
- Credit or debit card if you plan to buy anything at the boutique or bar! The 2026 Summer Retreat will be cashless.
Yes, it is. However, you won’t regret it when you have to run back to your room at 2 am. The temperatures have been known to drop to freezing during the night.
No, sorry – no pets.
The 2026 Summer Retreat will be cashless, so we suggest bringing a credit or debit card. You can buy tshirts, stickers, CDs, posters, and more at the KlezKanada Boutique. There is also a bar at the late-night cabaret.
Our Summer Retreat is located on a beautiful, clear lake. The lakefront is open at select times during the day, which will be posted at the Info Desk. Please note that swimming is ONLY allowed when a camp lifeguard is on duty. This policy is strictly enforced.
There is a strict non-smoking policy within the camp grounds. There will be one area set aside for smoking (look for signs).
The site has greatly increased their prevention and treatment protocols this year. They have made a large investment toward the comfort of all guests. There are also updated protocols in place to contain and isolate any problematic bugs. If possible, please put your soft goods in the dryer on high heat for 1 hour before coming to camp to prevent bringing any critters to the community space.
Travel and Shuttle FAQs
If you are driving to the Summer Retreat, please arrive between 3-5:30pm on the first day. We recommend that you arrive in time for dinner at 6 pm. The evening program on the first night is a community-wide welcome and it is wonderful if everyone can be there. If you will be arriving late, please let us know via info@klezkanada.org. Please note that dinner will not be available after 7pm, without exception. Also note that our staff will be fully occupied in welcoming everyone, and may not be able to answer last-minute questions. We are happy to run through any questions in advance.
You can find driving directions to Le P’tit Bonheur on the password-protected Participant Information page. You will receive a password for this page when you register.
We offer a shuttle service from Montreal or the YUL airport to the Summer Retreat (and back) on the first day and the last day of the Summer Retreat. The cost per person is $45 one way/$90 roundtrip, with a 50% discount for scholarship students. You must buy your tickets in advance. You can purchase tickets as an add-on when you register for the retreat. Shuttle tickets may be purchased separately before July 15, 2026.
Shuttle tickets are non-refundable, non-changeable, and non-transferrable.
Advance sign-up is compulsory for this service. Shuttles are booked according to the number of people who purchase tickets. There will not be room for additional passengers who did not purchase tickets in advance of the deadline.
We are currently confirming the location of the shuttle pickup in Montreal. We request that all participants taking the shuttles arrive at the shuttle departure point half an hour before the scheduled departure time.
If you are taking the 2 PM shuttle from the airport, please make your way to the International Arrivals area and wait nearby the Information Centre. A KlezKanada Shuttle Captain will meet you and direct you to the shuttle bus.
If you experience delays, cancellations, or other circumstances while on route and have to miss the shuttle, please let us know as soon as possible via info@klezkanada.org. If you cannot find another way directly to Dos bisele glik/P’tit bonheur, please plan your own transportation to the town of Ste-Agathe-des-Monts and we will arrange a pickup for you from there. You may be able to find transport to Ste-Agathe-des-Monts from Montreal city or airport through Orléans Express, Exo Québec, or other services. We will not be able to do pickups on the island of Montreal or in the immediately surrounding suburbs. Please note that we are unable to refund shuttle tickets for no-shows or late arrivals.
KlezKanada cannot offer legal advice about borders and immigration. Find more information about what you need to enter Canada at this link: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid
You can find a participant-maintained ridesharing form on our password-protected Participant Information page . You will receive a password for this page when you register.
Summer Retreat Program FAQs
During the week, there are four workshop periods per day, two before lunch and two after lunch. There are multiple options in each period, including lectures, discussions, instrumental and vocal classes, performance ensembles, and more. There is usually a concert before dinner and after dinner, followed by dancing and the cabaret. On Friday evening there is a special schedule and on Saturdaywe offer fewer formal programs as well as programming that is friendly to those observing shabes
Monday - arrival, community-wide welcome, and evening program, plus a bonfire if the weather permits
Tuesday - workshops, evening concert, late-night program
Wednesday - workshops, evening concert, late-night program
Thursday - workshops, evening concert, late-night program
Friday - workshops, Backwards March, Services, late-night shabes tish
Shabes/Saturday - shabes programming, havdole followed by a tantshoyz (dance party), late-night program
Sunday - departure
There will be an online Meet-and-Greet in early August as well as online orientations for Work Exchange Participants and Azrieli Scholarship Recipients. These will be listed on our password-protected Participant Information page. We can arrange calls with anyone who would like any questions answered in advance of the Summer Retreat.
Remember, the Summer Retreat is an interdisciplinary program! We recommend that you try out a dance class, a Yiddish class, an art class – and more! If you are new to your instrument or new to klezmer, consider taking our beginner’s classes and ensembles. These are noted in our program guide.
You do not need to sign up for classes in advance. But, we advise that you look at the program before your arrival and make a plan for your week to get the most out of your Summer Retreat experience.
Registrants may attend as many or as few classes as they choose. Azrieli Scholarship recipients are expected to attend a minimum of three classes per day.
We encourage you to make your workshop choices upon arrival at the Summer Retreat and stick to them throughout the week. Try your choices on the first day and, if necessary, transfer on the second day. After the second day, please do not change classes without permission from the teacher. Most classes build upon what is taught each day and it can be extremely disruptive to have participants drop in and out of the class.
If you know in advance that you might skip a class, please inform the instructor as early as possible. They will let you know if it is possible to make up for missed material.
Schedule changes and announcements will be posted at the Info Desk throughout the week.
Childcare is not currently available. We are happy to connect families together before the retreat in the interest of sharing childcare. The KlezKanada Youth Program is for children ages 5 and up. Please note that this is a cultural program not a childcare program. Children (and parents) participating in the Youth Program should be ready to participate in the cultural and camp activities.
There is a map in your brochure with all of the workshop locations marked. Don’t be afraid to stop people and ask for directions to the class locations.
Each period features classes for all levels. Please respect the levels listed in the title or description of each class.
For musicians: Consider your technical skill and level of experience. If you don’t consider yourself a technically advanced musician but have performed Yiddish music publicly for years, you might consider an advanced workshop. In contrast, if you are a professional performer but new to klezmer, you might benefit more from an intermediate class, as it will cover more basic stylistics. Faculty may recommend alternate classes to participants based on level. All beginners should attend the Beginners’ Ensemble in AM1.
Many people like to record their workshops for personal reference (for example, to review a song after the Retreat). We encourage this, but please ask before recording your teachers and fellow participants in workshop settings and please do not share recordings of your workshops without permission from the instructor. Before recording programming or participants, please read our Recording Policy.
At-large coaching is available throughout the week, pending faculty schedules. Please speak to the individual faculty member but keep in mind that faculty may not be able to facilitate every request.
It is impossible to partake in everything offered at the Summer Retreat. That said, it is up to you to structure your time. There are always plenty of opportunities for informal jam sessions and long talks outside in the sun. Shabes is, for the most part, left unscheduled.
Shabes is a day of rest and therefore the regular workshop schedule is paused on Saturday. shabes programs are unamplified and centre around conversation, reading, and singing. Some participants attend our communally-led shabes services, some participants sleep in. It is also an opportunity to rest, spend time by the lake, or explore the hiking trails. KlezKanada's Summer Retreat is an interdenominational space and we ask that participants be respectful of diverse levels of observance.
Some participants choose not to play instruments on shabes. We ask that participants who choose to play instrumental music on shabes do not do so in the central areas of camp or in buildings where people may be resting.
Every year, our retreat brings together a diverse crowd of people from Montreal, across Canada, and all over the world. We welcome Jews and non-Jews of all backgrounds, levels and modes of religiosity, ages, races, languages, and beliefs. We are committed to the work it takes to build a community that is ever more inclusive and equitable. You can read our Community Guidelines for more information.
The short answer is that if you come to our Summer Retreat, then you're already a part of our community!
KlezKanada aims to create a safe and healthy community for all ages. An emphasis is placed on creating a family atmosphere. The success of the Retreat relies on the responsible behaviour of all registrants, scholarship students and faculty.
Smoking is permitted ONLY IN DESIGNATED AREAS.
Responsible use of alcohol, cannabis, and other legal substances by adults of legal age is permitted and alcohol is served on the premises. However, we expect that those who choose to drink, will consume responsibly and with respect for and awareness of those around them. Please note that the legal age to consume alcohol in Quebec is 18 and the minimum age for legal cannabis use in Quebec is 21.
Illegal substances will not be tolerated. Reports of usage will be dealt with immediately by the program administrators.
All participants are expected to conduct themselves in a manner which fits the goals of KlezKanada and the students themselves. Participants must agree to respect and uphold the Code of Conduct [LINK] when they register. In order to make our in-person and digital programs kind, inclusive, and safe spaces for all, we ask that you also read our Community Guidelines.
KlezKanada designates an ombudsmentsh at our retreat every year to give participants a safe space to speak about, monitor, and resolve problems.
The ombudsmentsh is able to act as a compassionate listener should you encounter any difficulties during the Retreat. The ombudsperson strives to provide neutral, objective support. They cannot provide legally binding advice, but they can give you options on how to proceed in particular situations.
We encourage you to reach out to the ombudsperson about any problems you may encounter, including, but not limited to interpersonal issues, or issues related to harassment, discrimination, personal discomfort, or safety. At the in-person Summer Retreat, you may visit the ombudsperson during their designated office hours, which will take place in a safe and private location, or reach out to them personally during the week to arrange another time or place to meet. You can contact the ombudsmentsh directly by email at ombudsperson@klezkanada.org.
Photos: Josh Dolgin (cover image)