Arrive To: Check-in: 2:00pm - 4:00pm Coffee, tea and snacks are provided in an area conducive to mingling. The short walk around the lake is a great way to unwind after your travels. Reading materials are accessible for browsing, and the television and internet are both available. You will also have access to refrigerator space if you need to keep things cool. Laundry facilities are available after 4:00pm. Once you are here, the hard part is over and you can relax and start enjoying the week!

Afternoon: Welcome and Introduction to Site: 4:30pm - 5:30pm Brief introductions of all the participants and coordinators. A short PowerPoint presentation will let you know all about the site as well take you on a "virtual hike" through the trails.

Dinner: Dinner is at the Auberge du Mont. Served cafeteria style, dinner includes a salad bar, soup, choice of two main dishes, vegetables, dessert, tea, coffee, etc. Wine is not sold on the premises, but there is a good selection at the local store and you are free to bring your own. We can provide a corkscrew and wine glasses. We do not organize a "happy hour" before meals, but participants may organize something if desired.

Evening: Overview of Week: 7:15pm - 8:30 p.m. We will take a look at the whole week ahead; workshops, speakers, field trips and other activities. We will also let you know how to make the Auberge du Mont your "home away from home" for the week (laundry, phone, newspapers, internet, etc.)

Lodging: Auberge du Mont

Meals Included: Dinner

French Language Workshops: Salutations and Getting Around/Restaurants and Money

Breakfast: Breakfast is at the Auberge du Mont. Breakfasts are served cafeteria style and offer a variety of choices: cereal, muffins, eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, pancakes, etc. The only thing lacking is willpower! Early morning coffee is available. The newspaper generally arrives shortly after breakfast.

Morning: French Language Workshop: Salutations, Getting Around, and basic verbs (to be, to have). Through songs, activities and exercises, you will learn how to introduce yourself and ask for help getting around. You will also learn how to do the basic verb conjugations with "être" and "avoir" ... but don't worry, we'll keep it light!

Lunch: Lunch at the Auberge.

Afternoon: French Language Workshop: Restaurants and Money. Through songs, activities and exercises you will learn basic vocabulary for ordering meals and shopping. We'll also offer an opportunity to interact with the local community or students and practice newfound skills.

Dinner: Dinner is at the Auberge du Mont. Served cafeteria style, dinner includes a salad bar, soup, choice of two main dishes, vegetables, dessert, tea, coffee, etc.

Evening: A relaxed evening at the Auberge is planned. The coordinator led activity is designed to create an atmosphere of fellowship, fun and laughter. If you have always dreaded the "get to know you" games, rest assured that so have we. This activity, however, is a proven highlight.

Lodging: Auberge du Mont

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast is at the Auberge du Mont. Early morning coffee is available.

Morning: French Language Workshop: Daily Life/Past and Future Through songs, activities and exercises, you will gain vocabulary relative to household items, occupations, leisure activities, etc. Another stroll through the verbs will help you talk about the past, present and future.

Lunch: Lunch at the Auberge.

Afternoon: We depart for our field trip to Montmorency Falls and Isle of Orleans. Our first stop will be at Montmorency Falls which towers 83 meters above the St. Lawrence River. The view from the bridge over the top of the falls is unforgettable. In addition to its stunning beauty, this site is considered a "Hot Spot" to geologists and you will learn of its geological importance as well as its story within the history of Quebec. Following the falls, we will be driving around the Isle of Orleans, a route described by a Quebec poet as “42 miles of tranquility” (42 miles des choses tranquilles). Learn about the importance of this rural island to the earliest European settlement and how it continues to play an important role in the lives of Quebecers today. Explore the rural aspects of Quebec and enjoy the products of the island with stops at the Chocolaterie for homemade chocolate and ice cream; a farm stand to sample produce, jam and bread and at Domaine Steinbach for an ice wine tasting. A stop at both the eastern and western ends of the island gives magnificent views on two different characteristics of the St. Lawrence - wide as we look over the archipelago to the east and narrow as we gaze westward toward Quebec City. From this vantage point, one can truly appreciate Quebec City's early nickname, "The Rock".

Dinner: Dinner at an island restaurant for a lovely meal before heading back home.

Evening: Free evening.

Lodging: Auberge du Mont

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Workshops: Idioms and Fun Phrases/Un 'ti mot quebecois/Traditional Music and House Party

Breakfast: Breakfast is at the Auberge du Mont. Early morning coffee is available.

Morning: French Language Workshop: Idioms and Fun Phrases Learn a few phrases to pull out at just the right moment! Perfect for giving yourself that "je ne sais quoi"!

Lunch: Lunch at the Auberge.

Afternoon: French Language Workshop: “Un ‘ti mot quebecois” We will be looking at Quebecois slang or, as it is called in French, "joual" and comparing "Quebec French" to "France French". Following the workshop, interact with local students on a guided tour of the private school at the Auberge; an opportunity to practice your French.

Dinner: Dinner is at the Auberge du Mont. Served cafeteria style, dinner includes a salad bar, soup, choice of two main dishes, vegetables, dessert, tea, coffee, etc.

Evening: This evening we invite you to a “House Party”! With the help of local musicians and members of the community we will recreate the ambiance of this very fine Valcartier tradition. More than a concert, you will be able to interact with the musicians and learn about the tunes that are unique to this area … tunes that are accented with both the Irish and French musical traditions. Whether a step-dancer or a sit-and–watcher, we hope you will have fun and feel like you’ve experienced the heart of this community.

Lodging: Auberge du Mont

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast is at the Auberge du Mont. Early morning coffee is available.

Morning: A guided field trip in Old Quebec provides an overview of Quebec history and culture. Your learning starts right away as the field trip coordinator tells you about the area as we travel to Quebec City. Once in the city, a guided walk will introduce you to Old Quebec. Following the tour, you will have time to explore on your own. The field trip coordinator will be available all day to answer questions, direct you to specific locations, and offer any help needed.

Lunch: Lunch on your own. Choose from one of the many dining venues from casual to fine dining. A great opportunity to put your French to the test!

Afternoon: Free Time: Enjoy free time to explore Old Quebec independently. Stroll the promenade, take a cruise on the St. Lawrence or discover the many galleries and shops.

Dinner: Dinner at the Auberge.

Evening: On our final evening we will have a bit of fun with French and you will be amazed at how much you learned!

Lodging: Auberge du Mont

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast is at the Auberge du Mont. Early morning coffee is available.

Morning: French Language Workshops Review: A review of the week in the guise of a fun, team challenge. Undoubtedly, the team successes and misses will lead to some new vocabulary!

Meals Included: Breakfast