I have a soft spot for people who do things differently. But sitting there, in the middle of children who tell me about their Cabin, I can only bow to so much creativity…
Posted yesterday at 9:00 a.m.
La Cabane is a creative family space located in the Montreal neighborhood of Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie. From Saturday, the general public will be able to enjoy the places designed by designer Bruno Braën (Pullman, Hunting and Fishing, Moleskine) in return for an annual subscription at a low price…
And I would say it’s worth it.
Around me: a climbing module, a slide, a reading area at height, a large kitchen suitable for children, a disco ball, an indoor greenhouse, tables whose height can be adjusted for tinkering with the family with “kits creative » free…
Everything invites young people to learn in community.
“We have three main pillars of action, explains the co-founder, Christine Renaud. Committed citizenship, creation and healthy lifestyles, which for us involve gardening and cooking. »
On the weekend, everyone will be invited to take advantage of workshops revolving around these themes or to stroll around without supervision. Just for the pleasure of being there together.
During the week, the place will be reserved for children whose parents are responsible for education, since they have opted for homeschooling. Or, as we say here, “family education”.
In fact, the whole project started with that, two years ago… Unless it was 20 years ago?
I was doing my baccalaureate in secondary education in 2003. A philosophy teacher asked us: “Who here wants to start their school?” I didn’t even know you could be an education entrepreneur! I started to take an interest in alternative pedagogies…
Christine Renaud
Christine Renaud then did a master’s degree in education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, then moved to New York, where she created a technological tool that promotes collaborative learning: Braindate. A success.
Back in Quebec, she launched the e180 company, telling herself that the day she had children, she would build their dream space… Then came Nora.
PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS
Christine Renaud and Sophie Duchastel de Montrouge
Christine’s daughter quickly made a best friend at daycare. Christine fell in love with her mother: Sophie Duchastel de Montrouge, a renowned and committed restaurateur.
“She became my sister, my partner. »
Sophie had two grown daughters who had studied in public. Although she recognizes several benefits, the entrepreneur wanted to get more involved in her youngest child’s school career.
“Childhood passes quickly… The more you can be there, the more magical it is!” »
Family education became a good option.
In 2020, the accomplices therefore launched the very first version of La Cabane. Three days a week, 16 young people aged 6 to 12 met in a former convent with educators advocating pedagogy by challenges.
In this approach, projects are defined by issues raised by children, their families and community members. For example, during the pandemic, we wondered how to ensure a safe Halloween…
A brainstorming allowed the young people to find a solution: what if we had a parade of giant puppets?
A screenwriter and costume designer from Cirque du Soleil agreed to accompany them. The children had to write the outline of the project, conceptualize the parade and take measurements (thus doing math) before creating paper mache monsters. The residents of the neighborhood were treated to quite a show!
In the same way, when a child said he wanted to learn more about exploring the cosmos, it was a student doing her doctorate on the cultural mediation between art and space who came to teach the little ones. ..
There is a whole village that supports La Cabane.
Now that they have moved into a 6,000 square foot building, the entrepreneurs will be able to accommodate twice as many young people who practice family education, at a cost of $50 per day (tax assistance may be granted as for keep).
Parents can stay on site to telecommute, participate in activities, or can simply leave.
“It’s good to have time for yourself,” summarizes Sophie Duchastel de Montrouge, whom I meet at the craft workshop offered upstairs.
Around her, about twenty children make ojos de dios, typical Mexican objects. It is that each month, they are interested in the culture of one of their own. Moreover, a community meal was prepared for the occasion.
The tamales and the coleslaw that I am offered are exceptional. Children helped to do this? For real ?
The fact that it is Shelly Garinther (Olive and Gourmando, Rhubarb) who guides the culinary workshops probably has something to do with it…
She will also be in charge of the picnic station menu, which will soon allow members to snack and have a drink. The products will be chosen with particular attention to organic and local cultivation. Even some will have grown on the spot! This summer, the building’s parking lot will be transformed into a garden with play area and beer garden…
I take advantage of the meal to chat with the children.
Henri (9 years old) is with Arjan (11 years old). They both started homeschooling when COVID-19 hit. With La Cabane, they discovered a model “really fun compared to school”, they say in the same breath.
Arjan likes to meet people. Henri is happy to no longer spend his days behind a desk.
“We can be free,” he says simply.
I receive his sentence as a small blow.
I had never imagined a childhood like this. This model is certainly not for everyone, but it exists, and I find it beautiful.
Then, Christine Renaud finishes me off by telling me that the La Cabane team has just bought land in Lawrenceville. She will create an educational farm there and residences for family artists, in order to further diversify the activities…
So, maybe I want babies after all.