Activities
Become a Member
JOIN A LUNCHEON
We’d like to get to know you, but first, you need to get to know us!
Our club is all about our members. Whatever we do is designed to meet their needs. Whether it’s an interesting speaker at a luncheon, an activity that makes you stretch your legs and/or your mind, our goal is to provide a variety of activities—from enjoying a golf game to book clubs, bridge, lunches, pub nights and hiking—You choose the activity that reflects your interests. To join activities, indicate your choices on the New Member or Member Renewal forms. You may also sign up at our monthly luncheons. You will then be contacted by the activity conveners.
Activities, convened voluntarily by members, bring members together to have fun and get acquainted. Activity groups meet regularly as scheduled by the convener.
To join an activity group, you must be a VWNC Member.
ART IN THE CITY
Whether you prefer abstracts, landscapes or portraits, Victoria’s art scene offers it all. Meet the artists, visit the studios, browse the galleries. There is so much to see!
BOOK CLUBS
Come and join a new book group!
GOLFING
Join other members for your choice of 9 or 18 holes every week, during the season, at the Cedar Hill golf course. It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or a seasoned golfer, everyone is welcome, provided you keep up pace of play. No rules, no score keeping (unless you wish to), just meet other ladies who enjoy the game. Depending on tee times, and the situation at the clubhouse currently under renovations, we endeavor to meet after our games for some socializing.
WALKING GROUPS
We have multiple walking groups in different parts of the city. These groups offer a different pace for those wanting to take it easy and enjoy the scenery or to get a bit more active and walk with a faster pace.
HERITAGE TOURS
Discover Victoria’s history by touring heritage sites. The group will tour many of Victoria’s historic places. Some past tours have included: The Dominion Astrophysical Observatory; The First People’s Gallery, Royal BC Museum; The Union Club Art Collection, including the History of the Union Club; and Fort Macauley (shown above).
COCKTAILS & APPIES
Bring your spouse/partner or come on your own to a member’s home for an informal evening of refreshments and conversation. Appetizers and drinks are provided by those attending and the host supplies tea and coffee.
BRIDGE
Join a group of dedicated Newcomers who love to play bridge. We gather round the card table at members’ homes to enjoy the game. Whether it’s hearts, diamonds, clubs or spades, you’ll find the right suit that fits your hand. These are not lessons, but definitely happen in a relaxed atmosphere.
BUTCHART GARDENS
The Butchart Gardens offers 55 acres of spectacular floral display. Join us to walk and explore the four seasons—Spring with its thousands of flowering bulbs; Summer and its beautiful hanging baskets and Rose Garden; Autumn, when the leaves on the trees turn an incredible red, orange and gold and Winter when the trees and shrubs are showcased. Afterwards stay to socialize in the Coffee Shop. Purchase of a 12-month garden pass is recommended.
Do you have an activity you’d like to convene?
We’d love to hear your ideas and help you make it happen. Please contact vwncenquiries@gmail.com.
CYCLING
The plan is to cycle various routes within the Greater Victoria area, with the length of time usually between 1 and 3 hours. Participants are welcome to recommend a route or lead a ride. The group may decide to go for lunch afterwards.
Restaraunt Lunch
Did you know that Victoria has North America’s second highest number of restaurants per capita? What a wonderful opportunity to taste the delicacies at local restaurants, cafes and bistros. A perfect opportunity to meet new friends in beautiful locations around town. Who says we can’t explore Victoria through our stomachs!
COFFEE
Join other Newcomers for our coffee social which is held on the third Friday of every month (holidays excepted) at the LURE Restaurant at the Delta Ocean Point Hotel. It has a gorgeous view of the harbor and a fine menu to satisfy everyone. Plenty of free parking is available. We look forward to great conversations and lots of fun!
CANASTA
Join a group of gals and learn the super fun game of canasta!
COOKING TOGETHER
Calling all Chefs or Chef wannabes. Wouldn’t if be fun to share your skills and knowledge in the kitchen and make new friends at the same time? We will take turns conducting hands-on classes in our own kitchens. Do you have a favorite dish, or one specific to your heritage that you would like to pass on to your foodie friends? Then this cooking group is just for you.
COUPLES PUB NIGHT
Socialize with other couples at some of the area’s best pubs/restaurants…
We enjoy dinner, drinks, and conversation- a great way to make new friends and explore the pub scene in Victoria!
DALLAS ROAD WALK
The Dallas Road Walk is a moderately paced activity along the waterfront each Thursday morning from 10:15 (sharp) to 12:15 (approx.) with a stop at The Breakwater Cafe. It’s show and go, no RSVP necessary, rain or shine….and great fun! Sorry, no dogs allowed on this walk.
BREAKWATER AMBLERS
This is for members who would like to gently get back into walking and rebuild their stamina, or simply for those who enjoy a more leisurely outing. We meet at the Breakwater Café at Ogden Point every Thursday, 10:15 am sharp. We walk at a relaxed pace along the pier to the beacon and back. The terrain is flat and it usually takes about 30 minutes. We have timed the walk so that we meet up with the Dallas Road Walk group afterwards for coffee. We walk year ‘round.
EXPLORE THE WEST SHORE
This series of events is for those who want to explore ‘what is way out there’ – beyond Victoria proper but not over the Malahat. Each experience will strive to introduce you to places or activities that happen in the communities that lie immediately west of Victoria: from Esquimalt Harbour to Rocky Point along the rocky shoreline of Juan de Fuca Strait and including Colwood, Metchosin, Langford, View Royal, Highlands and Sooke. Details of each event ( a walk, an easy hike, tour, workshop or lun
HAPPY APPIES
Come join us while we seek out the best happy hours in the city. Enjoy your drink and appies in a casual setting, while still being gentle on your budget.
HIKING
We hike easy to moderate trails in the Greater Victoria area usually lasting 2-3 hours. Participants in this dog friendly activity are welcome to recommend an area or to lead a hike. The group may decide to go for lunch or coffee afterwards.
Couples or singles are welcome.
KAYAKING
Join new friends for some paddling fun! This will be recreational kayaking (smaller, lightweight kayaks, not ocean kayaks) and short, easy paddles. The plan is for two outings a month, depending on weather and tides. Got a paddle board or canoe? All paddlers welcome!
Do you have an activity you’d like to convene?
We’d love to hear your ideas and help you make it happen. Please contact vwncenquiries@gmail.com.
ONE OF A KIND
Enjoy one of the many different one-of-a-kind events such as a ghost tour, mystery escape room or a cooking class at London Chef. New and different activities every year!
SINGLE LADIES
We will take up a variety of activities, many of which will be in the evening. The group will decide the time and date of each activity on an impromptu and collective basis.
TED TALKS & TEA
Do you want to stretch your mind? Discuss ideas with others? Join us! TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged, and today TED talks cover a kaleidoscope of ideas and topics – each within an 18 minute or less presentation! Each month our group will choose an interesting, powerful and maybe even controversial TED talk to watch together, followed by invigorating conversation of the ideas and information presented.
TEA HOUSE TOURS
Join other members in exploring the numerous Tea Houses throughout Victoria.
MOVIE DAY
Victoria’s movie theatres show a variety of films—mainstream, international, documentary and indie—as well as the National Geographic documentaries at the IMAX. Tuesdays are discounted, a bonus for cinephiles to enjoy their box office favourite without paying full price! Join other Newcomers, share the popcorn and have fun seeing different films.
PACERS WALK GROUP
For those who enjoy a mix of a slower or faster pace, try the Pacers Walk group. We walk the path from Cook Street west along Dallas Road to the pier at Ogden Point and back to Cook Street for a distance of approximately 6 km. And, enjoy coffee together after.
LADIES EVENING SOCIAL
Our city is full of great places to eat, drink and socialize. Come and join us as we check out Victoria’s evening scene. The locations will vary from a cocktail lounge to a restaurant to a pub – and others. Each event will be in a different location for us to explore.
MAH JONG
Choose your tiles and start the game with other Newcomers. Beginners are welcome and can learn and play this fascinating game with other more advanced players. You meet at a Newcomer’s home and play in a relaxed setting. Fun is the name of this game.