Intro
KlezKanada is aiming to enact a more meaningful expression of its values around accessibility, mobility, and inclusion. Accessibility needs are anything you need to be able to fully, safely, and comfortably participate in KlezKanada’s programs.
Website
The KlezKanada website has an accessibility widget provided by Federation CJA Montreal. This can be activated by clicking on the blue circle in the lower-left corner of your screen.
Summer Retreat
As the 2024 Summer Retreat moves into our new site “Dos bisele glik” (Le P’tit Bonheur), we want to keep our community informed about the new site, as well as provide the opportunity for more accommodations around accessibility.
Accessibility needs can look like requiring an outlet to plug in a sleeping aid, needing a shuttle between areas of the site, needing large-print handouts, needing a quiet room to retreat to, and more!
We're in the midst of a professional accessibility audit for Dos bisele glik (Le P’tit Bonheur) and will update this page when it is complete. This audit will help us make decisions about the ways we can improve accessibility at the venue. We are pleased that the venue is collaborating with us to make this audit happen!
If you are registering for the Summer Retreat, please let us know your access needs as soon as possible, and by July 5 at the latest, so we can work with you to get them met. We will do our utmost to meet your needs, though we cannot guarantee that all needs will be met. There is a dedicated place for the expression of your needs in the registration form.
If you would like to ask questions or communicate something about your accessibility needs before registering, please contact info@klezkanada.org
Registration
Registration for the Summer Retreat is done via an online form. Participants who need to register via a paper form or by phone may contact us at info@klezkanada.org to request an alternative form of registration.
Site Description
Dos bisele glik (P’tit Bonheur) is a summer camp setting and participants should expect a rustic vacation experience. The buildings are four-season buildings with heated rooms, windows, and linoleum floors.
Roads and Pathways
- The site features different types of roads and pathways, including paved roads, gravel surfaces, paved paths, and dirt paths.
- Programs also take place on grassy lawns and a sandy beach.
Distances
- The programs, dining area, and accommodations are clustered around two campuses. The two campuses are approximately 10 minutes apart by foot, along a dirt path. This path crosses a road twice so children should be accompanied by an adult. The first half of the path is relatively smooth; the second and third sections of the path are less smooth, with rocks and roots in the pathway. While we are working to make sure the path is lit, we recommend that all participants bring a flashlight.
- We will have a shuttle that runs between the two campuses for those who need mobility assistance. This shuttle will run at specific times (TBD).
- Within each campus, program spaces are within a 5-minute walk of each other, mostly within the same building.
Stairs
- Some entrances have a small lip or stair at the entrance. We are evaluating which doorways may need to have a ramp.
- All buildings have stairs in between floors.
- Some programming spaces are accessible from the outside pathways (as opposed to inside stairs) but a few programming spaces are only accessible by one flight of stairs.
- Auberge Grand Salon and Rooms 1 and 2: Ground Floor
- Auberge Rooms 3-4: Semi-Basement Level, down a short flight of stairs (4-6 stairs).
- Auberge Petit Salon, Dining Room, and Rue Platz (Quiet Room): Second Floor, up one flight of stairs
- Chalet Living Room: Main floor, accessed by one flight of stairs from the outside (8-10 stairs).
- Auberge Tent 1: On the beach, accessed across the lawn or down a short flight of stairs (5-6 stairs).
- Concert Tent: Accessed by an inclined paved road or by a staircase with 15 stairs.
- Mile End Tent: Accessed by a smooth dirt pathway from Auberge, or by the shuttle.
- Jeune Air Dining Room and Cooking Workshop Kitchen: Ground floor, exterior access.
- Jeune Air Rooms 1 and 2: Lower Level with outdoor access (no stairs) or by stairs from the ground floor level.
- Most accommodations are accessible only by stairs. There are a few standard rooms at ground level.
- The Auberge building has a freight elevator that is safe for people to use BUT that requires a staff presence. This elevator will ONLY be available for participant use with prior approval. The staff will have a list of participants approved for elevator use.
Sleeping Accommodations
- Most accommodations are accessible only by stairs. There are a few standard rooms at ground level.
- Beds are either bunk beds or single beds. Most of the bunk beds are solid wood, with a low-bottom bunk. A few of the bunk beds have metal frames. The bunks are 77” long between the frame.
- All mattresses are standard camp mattresses. These are foam, with a waterproof covering.
- All rooms are shared. We recommend that participants bring earplugs and face masks.
- Most accommodations are adjacent to programming spaces and there may be some sound bleed.
- Rooms have power, with several plugs in each room.
- The campsite is walk-in only, along a wide but uneven dirt road. The site is on a slope so the road is inclined. It is approximately a 10-minute walk from the dining hall to the campsite.
- The Baba Yaga huts are located at the campsite (see above). They are wooden structures with wooden stairs and plywood floors. They have walls and ceilings but open windows that can be covered with canvas curtains. There will be standard mattresses in each hut (on the floor rather than on bed frames).
Seating
- The chairs in the Concert Tent are plastic folding chairs without arms.
- The chairs in other Programming spaces include cushioned wooden-backed benches (these look like wooden couches), wooden chairs without arms, folding chairs without arms, and plastic lawn chairs with arms.
- The Dining Areas have a mixture of chairs without arms, plastic lawn chairs with arms, and wooden picnic tables.
Lighting
- The venue lighting is mixed. Please note that some rooms have fluorescent lighting.
- Strobe lights will not be used during any concerts or events without prior warning. In the unlikely event that strobe lighting will be used, it will be announced in advance and signs will be posted at the entrance to the event space.
Internet Access
- 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.
Programming
- Locations
- Programming takes place in the indoor classrooms or outdoor tents described above.
- Sometimes Faculty may suggest moving a class outdoors. If you are not able to participate in an outdoor class for any reason, please let your instructor know if this suggestion is made.
- Some workshops distribute printed materials. These materials are not usually provided ahead of time.
- All printed materials provided by Faculty will also be made available digitally during the week of the Summer Retreat.
- Not all classes prepare or provide printed materials, including sheet music. This is at the discretion of the instructor. For example, some music classes focus on learning by ear and do not provide sheet music.
- If you require materials in large print or another format, please request by July 5.
- Content
- We do not ask our faculty to provide content notes for common sensitive subjects. However, if you have concerns, we encourage you to ask the Faculty member, one of our Programming Coordinators, or our Artistic Director about the content in advance of the class.
Sensory Information
- Please be aware that participants jam, work, and socialize all over camp. This should be expected and is part of the community culture. While we try to define quiet areas for certain buildings, this is relative and signaled by signage. Our staff does not enforce quiet areas.
- Most accommodations are adjacent to programming spaces and there may be some sound bleed.
- All rooms are shared. We recommend that participants bring earplugs and face masks.
- The Rue Platz / Quiet Room in the Auberge building is set aside as a space for participants to get away if they need an indoor space to rest quietly, are experiencing sensory overload, or otherwise want a space to retreat to. This is a small room with four cushioned, wooden-backed couches, a window, and doors that close. This room is accessible by elevator for participants who cannot use the stairs. Please note that this elevator requires staff presence and prior approval (see note above, re stairs).
- KlezKanada does not currently have a scent-free policy.
Meals and Dining
Meals
- Our catering is vegetarian/pescatarian, with vegan options.
- Our caterers can accommodate allergies. Let us know if you are gluten intolerant, allergic to nuts, etc!
- Meals are kosher-by-ingredient and pre-camp preparation is undertaken in a kosher kitchen. The kitchen at Dos Bisele Glik is not under rabbinical supervision.
- If you require meals that are certified kosher, please note that on your registration form. These meals will be prepared ahead of time (by the same caterer) and brought packaged to the retreat without additional cost.
Dining
- Breakfasts and lunches are buffet-style, with lines to serve food. People with mobility issues or challenges with long lines can go to the front of the line or request assistance getting their meal.
- Dinners are family-style, with large food platters placed on each table.
- Snacks are available mid-afternoon and after the evening concerts.
Financial Accessibility
- We have a number of programs in place to make the Summer Retreat financially accessible.
Smoking and Other Substance Use Policy
- Smoking is permitted ONLY IN DESIGNATED AREAS. We are still locating the smoking area for this year.
- 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.