Circle Square Ranch Snider Mountain French Camp

Registration Closed

A 2½-day immersive French outdoor camp for Anglophone classes in New Brunswick.

Parents for Bilingual Education New Brunswick (PBENB) is pleased to once again welcome classes from the anglophone public school system to our French as a Second Language camps for 2026. Held at Circle Square Ranch Snider Mountain, this immersive camp has been a cherished tradition for New Brunswick students for over 25 years. Many teachers who return year after year attended the camp themselves as students — a testament to the enriching experiences and lasting memories created here.

‍

The PBENB French Camp strengthens students' French language skills through authentic, hands-on experiences in a supportive outdoor environment. Interactive programming, team-building activities, and shared camp adventures help students build confidence speaking French while deepening their appreciation for the French language and Francophone culture.

‍

Students stay at the ranch for 2½ days, fully immersed in a French-speaking environment that encourages participation, connection, and growth.

‍

2026 Camp Dates

  • May 20–22, 2026
  • May 25–27, 2026
  • May 27–29, 2026
  • June 1–3, 2026
  • June 3–5, 2026
  • June 8–10, 2026
  • June 10–12, 2026

‍

Registration is open to school classes only — individual student registrations are not accepted. Teachers are encouraged to contact info@pbenb.com for more information on upcoming sessions.

Watch our 2025 camp recap video here to see why Snider Mountain remains a highlight of the school year for students across New Brunswick. A photo gallery from last year's camp can be found below.

‍

Parents for Bilingual Education New Brunswick (PBENB) is looking for a French Camp Counsellor & Program Assistant to join our team! Click the HERE for the full job description and apply today!

No items found.

Frequently Asked Questions

Purpose and Philosophy of the Camps
What is the goal of PBENB French Camps?+
PBENB French Camps help children build confidence, joy, and curiosity in French through immersive, play-based activities. The focus is on communication, creativity, and cultural awareness.
Are these camps only for French Immersion students?+
Camps welcome children from all French Language Learning levels: French Immersion, Intensive French, Core French.
Language Use and Expectations
How much French will my child hear and use?+
Camps follow a French-first approach. Staff model French consistently. The goal is a supportive environment where French feels natural and fun.
What if my child is nervous about speaking French?+
This is very common. Staff use gestures, visuals, repetition, games, and song to help children participate comfortably. Many campers gain confidence quickly once they see that communication — not perfection — is what matters.
Arrival and Departure
What are the arrival and departure times?+
The Monday group arrives at 10:30 AM on Monday and departs at 10:30 AM on Wednesday. The Wednesday group arrives at 11:00 AM on Wednesday and departs at 10:30 AM on Friday.
Sleeping Arrangements
Where do campers sleep?+
Campers sleep in cabins assigned by boys' and girls' groups, following standard youth-camp practices. Each cabin has a dedicated French camp counsellor who supervises their group to ensure safety. There are 9 cabins, each with 10–13 bunks, and cabins typically house 10–12 campers and a camp counsellor depending on registration.
What bedding should my child bring?+
Campers must bring a pillow and a sleeping bag or blankets (warm bedding recommended). Cabins have a few electrical outlets, mainly for essential items.
Where do chaperones sleep?+
Chaperones have separate sleeping quarters, but these are shared accommodations, not private rooms. Bedding is provided for all chaperones.
Will my child be with friends from their school?+
Campers are usually placed with peers from their own school or district.
Adult Supervision and Safety
Who supervises the campers?+
Supervision is a shared effort involving PBENB’s French-speaking camp counsellors (who undergo RCMP safety checks), Circle Square Ranch staff (who deliver safety briefings in English and hold Vulnerable Sector Checks), and teachers and adult chaperones from participating schools (who assist with supervision and lead on behavioural issues). This layered approach ensures campers are supported by adults who know them, adults who know the camp environment, and adults who specialize in French immersion.
Meals
What kind of food is served?+
Meals are kid-friendly, balanced, and familiar. Breakfast examples include pancakes with sausages, breakfast sandwiches, and French toast. Lunch examples include chicken burgers with fries, grilled cheese with tomato soup, and taco salad. Supper examples include sweet and sour meatballs with rice, spaghetti with garlic bread, and perogies with sausages. Dietary restrictions are accommodated whenever possible.
Cell Phones and Communication
Can my child bring a cell phone?+
There are absolutely no cell phones permitted in the cabins. If a camper brings a phone, it will be stored securely by the camper’s teacher. Only lead staff carry phones for operational and safety purposes. Each camper group has one leader with a walkie-talkie for quick communication. This policy reduces distractions, supports immersion, protects privacy, and keeps camp a positive, outdoor, community-focused experience.
Daily Activities
What activities are offered?+
Campers participate in a wide range of structured and supervised activities including sport and field games, a mini zipline, group games, arts and crafts (including tie-dye and bracelet making), theatre games and skit creation, free time for supervised play, campfire with French songs, skits, and storytelling, scavenger hunts, and movie night.
Teacher and Chaperone Responsibilities
What do teachers and chaperones do at camp?+
Teachers and adult chaperones support camper well-being and smooth operations. Their responsibilities include administering and keeping possession of camper medications (EpiPens travel with group leaders), holding and distributing student money for the tuck shop, supervising while ranch staff run the evening game (French staff are on break), and supervising during movie night.
Packing List
What should my child pack?+
Campers should bring a white T-shirt for tie-dye, pillow, sleeping bag or blankets, towels, toiletry items (shampoo, toothpaste, soap, etc.), toothbrush and hairbrush, bathing suit, rain jacket and rain boots, warm sweater for evening campfires, water bottle, sunscreen and bug spray, sun hat, long pants for horseback riding, closed-toed shoes for horseback riding, socks and underwear, and clothes for the week.
Download Document
Download File