Newcomers Club Activities

Activity groups, coordinated by members, are your best opportunity to get to know each other. Each group is comprised of a small number of members who share a common interest and the group meets regularly to participate in that activity.

Activities for 2011 to 2012

Book Club
Do you love to read and want to have an opportunity to discuss new books or some of your old favourites? The opportunity to be in a book club is always open to Newcomers. You may join an existing group if there are still openings or sign up for a new group.

Bridge
For years we have heard that playing bridge will keep our minds sharp. A recent study also claims that playing bridge improves the immune system and may help ward off colds! If you are a bridge player and are looking for others to play with (and you want to be smarter and healthier) join this group for a friendly game in members’ homes. It’s a great way to meet new friends and have a good time.

Butchart Garden Walks
If you enjoy gardens you’ll marvel at the design and beauty of internationally renowned Butchart Gardens where 1,000,000 bedding plants in 700 varieties ensure uninterrupted bloom from March to October. In the early 1900’s Jennie Butchart transformed a limestone quarry on her property into the Sunken garden and added the Japanese, Italian and Rose gardens, plus bronze statues, fountains and ponds. Butchart Gardens is a magical place and you’ll leave refreshed and inspired. The group meets for coffee after the walk. The group meets outside the Gift Shop at 9:30 am…. you must have an annual pass to Butchart Gardens.

Coffee Social
This is a relaxed group who meet in each other’s homes and who enjoy conversations on many topics. Returning members in the group are happy to answer Newcomers questions regarding settling in to Victoria. By sharing our stories and resources we build a supportive environment that helps all of us with our adjustments to Victoria.

Couples Friendly Bridge
A relaxed evening of social progressive bridge (changing partners and tables) at member's homes with times for socializing over a light dessert and tea or coffee. The emphasis will be on having fun, practicing your bridge game and getting to know other Victoria Newcomer couples.

Couples Cocktails and Appetizers
An informal evening to enjoy refreshments and conversation over appetizers provided by each couple attending. This is a relaxed time to discuss life in Canada's garden city and an opportunity to develop new friendships.
Couples Friendly Dinners
Meet other couples in the comfort of a member’s home for a casual meal and conversation. The dinner is potluck with the host providing the main course and the guests bring the appetizer, salad and dessert. Each couple brings wine. What a great chance to try out a new recipe or share one of your favourite regional dishes.

Couples Game Night
Each month couples gather for fun friendship and to play different games. Games include Monopoly, Clue, Pictionary, Slang Teasers, Things and much more.

Couples Pub Night
Spend an evening socializing with other Newcomer couples in a casual setting while discovering the many neighbourhood pubs of greater Victoria. We’ll visit Victoria’s brewpubs and traditional English, Irish and Scottish pubs where many types of local beer and ales are on tap. The Newcomers group meets in a private area of the pub. Bring your partner and enjoy drinks, dinner, and stimulating conversation in a relaxed atmosphere.

Cycling Group
The Cycling group is a new group that we are offering this year, on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at 2:00 p.m. The group plans to cycle twice a month, weather permitting, to explore some of the many Victoria trails by bicycle. The group will determine where they would like to cycle and the type of terrain that they are comfortable with. if you are a cycling enthusiast please consider signing up for this group. What a great way to explore Victoria while benefiting from the fresh air and exercise.

Dallas Road Walkers
Every week this mid-morning walking group leaves Clover Point to walk for 1/2 an hour to an hour. You choose the short walk or the longer walk - Clover Point to Douglas Street and back. This walk will take place rain or shine, with or without a dog. Afterwards the group decides on one of the local coffee shops at Ogden Point, Cook Street Village or Fisherman's Wharf.

Dinner Out Group
This group will meet 4 times a year on a Saturday night, at highly rated restaurants. We will start on the second Saturday in the months of November, January, April and June.

Knitting/Cross Stitch Group
Interested in learning how to knit or cross-stitch? Hoping to improve your skills? Do you need to unearth a UFO, (unfinished object)? Or are you just looking for some company as you work away on a handiwork project? Please consider joining a bimonthly activity group for some creative and social interaction on 2nd and 4th Fridays, from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Ladies Dinner Club
Meet other members in the comfort of a member’s home for a casual meal, conversation and lots of laughter. The hostess provides the place; dishes, tea and coffee while, the guests bring the potluck dishes coordinated by the convener and wine or beverages of their choice.

Ladies Golf
We are a group of casual golfers who do not keep score and are out there for the fun of golf. We play 9 holes (Par 3's and 4's) every other week and enjoy a beverage after the game.

Ladies Island Hoppers
Once a month, on the second Wednesday of the month, a day trip will be organized to go to explore one of the Gulf Islands. Example- Day trip to Saturna Island to stop for coffee at the General Store, exploring the historic Lighthouse Park and then wine tasting plus lunch at the local winery.

Ladies Pub Night
Spend an evening socializing with other Newcomers in a casual setting while discovering the many neighbourhood pubs of greater Victoria. We’ll visit Victoria’s brewpubs and traditional English, Irish and Scottish pubs where many types of local beer and ales are on tap. The Newcomers group usually meets in a private area of the pub. Enjoy drinks, dinner, and stimulating conversation in a relaxed atmosphere.

Movie Night
This group meets monthly, on a Tuesday evening to see movies that are offered in the Victoria area. There will be an opportunity for beverages after the show for those who are interested. Movies for the upcoming week are advertised on Fridays so watch your email for the Tuesday choice.

Mystery Book Club
Do you enjoy reading head scratching whodunits, spine tingling suspense, psychological thrillers? Are you fascinated by intrigue? This is an opportunity to get together with other newcomers who love mysteries, to discuss your favourites and to be introduced to new mystery authors and their books.

Potluck Lunch
No fuss, no bother, no need to set the table, eating on our laps is just fine. Come share an informal and light lunch (salad, sandwiches and of course, dessert) in each other’s homes. Hostess will provide coffee and tea and guests will bring the rest as an organized potluck. What a wonderful way to get to know each other and share some great food.

Restaurant Lunch
Did you know that Victoria has North America’s second highest number of restaurants per capita? What a wonderful opportunity for you to visit restaurants, cafés and bistros that will tease your taste buds, with the opportunity to make new friends over a delicious lunch at locations that offer stunning views of the harbour and the mountains. The mini lunch group may try a local favourite restaurant or check out one of the hottest new eateries. Who says we can’t explore Victoria through our stomachs!!

Scrabble
Do you fancy yourself as a wordsmith? Here’s an opportunity to get together with friends in the comfort of each others’ homes to play a friendly game of scrabble, enjoy stimulating conversation and have coffee.

Tea House Tours
This group meets once a month to visit some of the many tea houses in Victoria for afternoon tea. Use this opportunity to check out both the British and Asian influence in our popular spots for an afternoon “cuppa”.

Tennis
We are fortunate in Victoria to be able to play tennis outside year round. However, if the weather is bad, we can also play indoors. This group meets for fun and all levels of play are encouraged to join.

Travel
This group will focus on trips to exotic places and some shorter trips may also be planned.

The Walkers
What better way to enjoy the beauty of Victoria, learn its history and discover its treasures than by a 11/2 hour walk, (approx. 5 km.) with friends. We benefit from exercise while we walk, talk and get to know each other! Walks are varied and planned to take advantage of the seasons. For example, we go on casual coastal walks at Saxe Point, discover the first flowers in the Spring in the parks, marvel at the baby goats in Beacon Hill park, meander along the back lanes of Oak Bay, or find Emily Carr’s grave. Of course we reward our efforts at the end with coffee and more talk.

If you are interested in joining an existing group or forming a new group, please sign up at the next meeting or contact one of the activity co-coordinators, Agnes Amundrud and Pam Thompson

For calendar of events, please see the Newsletter