How do I register for a program?
Registration is done online, from each program page. You fill out a short form, choose the session and age group, and pay the registration fee. A confirmation email follows within 48 hours with the practical details: schedule, room, and what to bring on the first day.
How do payments work?
Payment is made at the time of registration, by credit card or Interac e-Transfer. Registration fees are listed on each program page — these are not donations, and no tax receipt is issued. Manara Center is a non-profit: fees cover supervision, materials, and the use of our facilities.
What about refunds?
If you cancel before the program starts, you receive a full refund minus a $25 administrative fee. Once the program is underway, refunds are pro-rated based on remaining sessions. Refund requests are made by email and processed within ten business days.
How are children supervised?
Each group is led by experienced staff trained in first aid. Ratios vary by age: roughly 1 to 8 for ages 5-7, and 1 to 10 for ages 8-12. The building is access-controlled during program hours, and drop-off and pick-up are supervised by a staff member at the door.
Are programs only for the Muslim community?
No. Manara Center is a cultural and community center open to every family in Brossard and across the South Shore, regardless of background or beliefs. Our roots are in Arab-Quebecois culture — language, arts, family calendar — and our programs are built to welcome Arabic-speaking families and families discovering the culture alike.
Are meals or snacks provided at camps?
For day camp and spring-break camp, children bring their own lunch and morning snack. We provide an afternoon snack. Our kitchen follows a quality food standard, with no pork and no alcohol. Please tell us about any allergies or dietary needs when you register.
Where are you, and where can I park?
Manara Center is housed in the former school at 6205 Grande Allée, Brossard. Free parking is available on site. The main entrance is accessible for strollers and visitors with reduced mobility. The nearest bus stop is a few minutes' walk from the door.
What if Manara cancels a session?
Sessions are occasionally cancelled — winter storms, Brossard school closures, or low enrolment. We notify families by email and text as soon as the decision is made. A missed session is either rescheduled or fully refunded if it can't be rescheduled. No administrative fee is kept in that case.
Does the center close on certain days?
The center generally follows the Brossard school calendar for holidays. It also closes for two community days each year, for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. During Ramadan, some class times are adjusted. All closures are posted on the online calendar at the start of each session.
Can I help out as a volunteer?
Several families offer occasional help, and we're grateful for it. A structured volunteer program isn't in place yet — it will come in a later phase. If you'd like to be contacted when it launches, write to us with your availability and interests. We'll keep your note on file.
My child doesn't speak Arabic. Can they take Arabic classes?
Yes. Arabic classes are organized by level, from absolute beginners to advanced speakers. A short conversation before the session helps us place your child in the right group. Many non-Arabic-speaking families register their children each term — the classroom is built for that mix from day one.
How do I keep track of upcoming programs?
Our Calendar page lists open sessions, one-off workshops, and closures. We update each program page as soon as a new registration window opens. For a specific question about an activity or schedule, write to us — it's usually the fastest way to get a clear answer.