Welcome to our website!
The Club Optimiste francophone de Durham (COFD) is a non profit organization dedicated to bringing out the best in francophone and francophile youth. Led by volunteer members, the COFD initiates community programs and projects aimed at developing the leadership skills, entrepreneurial spirit and engagement of our young francophones, all in an effort to meet the needs of Durham Region’s francophone and francophile community.
Our Partners
Our story…
The idea of a French summer camp arose during a meeting of the school council of ÉSC Saint-Charles-Garnier in Whitby. The president of the Parents’ Council at the time, Lyne Mathieu, started working on this project with a team of students. The Club Optimiste francophone de Durham was founded when they needed a non profit organisation to sponsor the project.
In June 2005, Camp Garnier was founded by the COFD. In March 2014, the COFD announced the opening of a second location for a Day Camp in Pickering, Camp Marion, at École Ronald-Marion. This was another opportunity for the COFD to create youth employment opportunities and offer services in French to the French and francophile children in Durham Region.
The existence of Camps Garnier and Marion would not have been possible without the COFD and its partners. The camps have grown steadily each year and are now well established in the community. Camps Garnier and Marion offer without a doubt a stimulating environment, with high quality activities in French, tailored to kids and youth 6 to 15 years of age.
In September 2011, the Club Optimiste francophone de Durham was proud to announce the addition of a tutoring program, with a team of French speaking tutors offering homework assistance in French and Math all year round!