Interest Groups 

One of our most cherished aspects of membership is the opportunity to connect through our rich and varied Interest Groups. Spanning an impressive range of pursuits — from book clubs and bridge to hiking and cycling, from wine tasting and gourmet dining to sketching, knitting, and language conversation — there is something here for the culturally curious, the outdoors enthusiast, the competitive card player, and the passionate foodie alike.

Most groups meet monthly, rotating through members' homes or gathering at local restaurants, parks, trails, and theatres. Whether you are looking to try something new or deepen an existing passion alongside others who share it, you are sure to find your place — and your people — among our Interest Groups. Many groups are full, but there is always an opportunity to start your own group! 

Members can learn more about joining interest groups in the membership area.

Arts & Crafts

• Draw, Sketch & Doodle — Members sketch outdoors in all kinds of settings — landscapes, architecture, animals — and move indoors for still life and portraits on bad-weather days. All skill levels are welcome.
• Come Spin a Yarn I — A monthly afternoon gathering where members knit, crochet, or work on any portable handwork project, sharing techniques and tips in a social, relaxed setting. Meets the first Wednesday of each month.
• Come Spin a Yarn Too — Same warm, crafty spirit as Come Spin a Yarn I, but meets on the first Friday of each month. All skill levels welcome.

Education & Learning

• Franco Divas — A group dedicated to practicing French conversation, meeting on the third Friday of the month from September to May in members' homes.
• Hablamos Español — Members meet twice monthly to practice Spanish conversation; basic Spanish is required to join.
• Indigenous Issues Study Circle — A thoughtful discussion group focused on the history, culture, rights, and contemporary issues facing Indigenous peoples, both locally and globally.
• Book Exchange — Members each purchase a recently published book, then pass it along monthly to the next person on the list — a simple and satisfying way to discover new reads.
• Contemporary Books — Books are selected each September, and members take turns presenting and leading the monthly discussion.
• Literary Awards Book Club — Members read novels nominated for prestigious awards such as the Booker, Giller, Pulitzer, and Women's Prize for Fiction, meeting monthly for lively discussion.
• Novel Lovers — Members nominate and vote on book selections online, then meet monthly with rotating leaders and hosts to discuss their chosen novels.
• Travel I — Members meet monthly in a member's home to travel vicariously, sharing stories and experiences from around the world.
• Travel III — A daytime group focused on fellowship and sharing travel information, tips, and personal travel experiences.
• Antiques — Members discuss antiques and collectibles at meetings held mostly in members' homes, with occasional outings to explore the topic further.

Games

• Afternoon Games — A rotating group of hosts choose a different board game or card game each month, providing light snacks and beverages for a fun afternoon.
• American Mahjong — A welcoming group for both beginners and experienced players to enjoy American Mahjong, with plenty of chat and friendly competition.
• Are You Game? — Members play board games, card games, and whatever the hostess suggests — a mix of old favourites and new discoveries — meeting the second Tuesday of each month.
• Bridge V — An informal discussion bridge group of eight players who meet monthly in members' homes, switching to online bridge in winter.
• Cafe aux Ladies — Eight players meet monthly in a member's home for bridge.
• Daytime Social Bridge — Twelve players rotate hosting duties throughout the season, each hosting twice, and wrap up the year with a potluck luncheon.
• Duplicate Bridge I (Zoom) — A long-running duplicate bridge group meeting twice monthly for over 40 years, enjoying both the competitive challenge and the camaraderie. Currently accepting subs only.
• Pub Lunch and Games — Members gather at a pub for good food, drinks, and friendly competition — board games, card games, or whatever sparks the group's interest that day.

Food & Wine

• Dining Divas — Members take turns hosting themed dinners, with the host providing the main dish and others contributing appetizer, soup, salad, vegetables, dessert, and wine.
• Gourmet I — A monthly rotating dinner group with a set theme that gathers in members' homes to celebrate good food, milestones, and lasting friendships.
• Gourmet III — Members come together to explore fine dining, savouring exquisite flavours in a sophisticated but relaxed setting, with a different theme each year.
• Out to Lunch — The group meets monthly from September to June at local restaurants to explore the region's diverse cuisines, with members pairing up to organize one outing each year.
• Sip Happens — Come join this casual afternoon gathering for conversation and a taste of local cafes.  
• Soup Luncheon — Each member takes a turn hosting a luncheon featuring an appetizer, wine, soup, rolls, and coffee, paired with wide-ranging conversation and plenty of laughs.
• The Dinner Club — A newer group that meets monthly in members' homes for themed potluck dinners, with hosts suggesting a culinary theme and members preparing dishes to match.
• Wine Tasting I — Members meet monthly from September to June to taste wines made from various grape varieties, paired with suitable foods.
• Wine Tasting II — A monthly evening gathering where the host selects four wines for the group to sample, always accompanied by lively conversation about everyone's recent adventures.

Outdoors, Fitness, Wellness

• Adventurous Women Outdoors — A spirited group of women who embrace outdoor activities such as paddleboarding, snow tubing, canoeing, and Segway riding, bonding over shared adventures and a love of nature.
• Mid-Week Hikers — Members hike brisk one-and-a-half to two-hour trails around the region in all weather, occasionally stopping for coffee or lunch at the end.
• Pedal Pushers — A Wednesday morning cycling group meeting from March to October, exploring local city and countryside trails of varying lengths, often with a coffee or lunch stop along the way.
• Pickleball — Members of all playing levels meet Wednesdays at 2pm at RIM Park for pickleball across three courts.
• Sunday Hikers — A relaxed, everyone-at-their-own-pace hiking group that meets the second Sunday of each month, with members encouraged to suggest and lead hikes.
• Health & Nutrition — Members explore the best choices in food, exercise, and lifestyle through research, discussions, field trips, and presentations, while sharing healthy recipes and cooking tips.

Entertainment

• REEL Fans — Members attend movies together, often at the Princess Theatre or Princess Twin in Waterloo, gathering for coffee beforehand to discuss the feature.
• Let's Sing — Women who love to sing gather on Tuesday afternoons to perform Broadway tunes and old favourites, accompanied by piano.