It is approximately 100 minutes by car north of downtown Montreal in the Laurentian Highlands and is located on the outskirts of Saint-Donat.

[citation needed] Today, Archambault and Ouareau lakes receive thousands of vacationers who enjoy the many outdoor activities available in the region.

The northern part (including the Baie de la Dame is served by the Ouareau North path.

Each individual age group has 50% anglophone & 50% francophone enrolment in order to ensure an exchange of the language & cultures while experiencing the different areas of camp life: activities, dining room, in cabins/tents, etc.

Nevertheless, the site of the Student Village of Lake Ouareau was established in 1948 on land acquired from Dr. Albert Guilbault, by the J.E.C.

In 1956, this camp became the La Cordée Youth Center, administered by the "Ordre du Bon Temps" (Order of Good Times) which had been founded in 1946[5] with the aim of to promote the organization of popular leisure activities.

This group organized an annual ten-day camp-school in July (in particular at the Student Village of Lac Ouareau in 1953), for young recreational leaders looking for techniques and training.

Created in 1957 by the Sisters of Charity of Sainte-Marie, this summer camp for boys and girls covers 115 acres and can now accommodate up to 210 young people per week.

The entrance to the site is located 1.1 kilometres (0.68 mi) west of Lake Ouareau, at 959 Principale Street in Saint-Donat-de-Montcalm.

This term appears on the plan of the surveyor William Rankins (1789) under the spelling: "The river Lac Ouareau".