The Ottawa Outdoor Club offers a range of activities throughout the year:
A detailed schedule of activities is available.
It's easy to join us for an outing. Check the schedule for the meeting time and location and fees. If necessary (rarely), RSVP to the leader beforehand. Show up at the meeting time and location. Bring along liquid, snacks, and a meal, such as a bag lunch. Wear clothing appropriate to the outing and conditions. Bring money for possible non-member activity fees, rental fees, and carpooling.
Most daytime activities finish between 3:00 PM and 5:30 PM, depending on the distance to be covered, the type of activity, and the driving time to the starting point. Canoeing activities usually finish a little later, sometimes by 7:00 PM or later. Please check with the leader for the finishing time for a specific trip; it will always be an estimate. If you and a friend are in different activities, assume that they will complete at different times.
Different types of outing generally meet in specific places and at specific times. For instance, when canoeing or hiking, we usually meet at the Sandy Hill Community Centre, but when walking, we usually alternate between the Supreme Court and Dow's Lake Pavilion. When an activity starts in the morning, we usually meet at 9:30 AM. Always check the schedule for specific outings, because occasionally meeting times and locations may vary.
Lyme disease is present in ticks in the Ottawa and Outaouais regions. We strongly urge you to read these guidelines from Ottawa, Ontario, and Quebec. In particular, review the material regarding clothing to wear, insect repellant to use, how to detect and remove ticks, and symptoms of infection.
Coordinator: Robert Bultitude, snowshoe at ottawaoutdoorclub.ca
During the winter months, we meet on Sunday mornings for snowshoeing. Many outings are in Gatineau Park, with others in various locations around the Ottawa-Gatineau region. In addition, several out-of-town weekend trips are scheduled that include one or more of snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and/or downhill skiing.
Coordinator: Alex Wharton, ski at ottawaoutdoorclub.ca
With snow on the ground, we generally meet on Saturday mornings for skiing. With the region's superb set of cross-country ski trails, most of the skiing that we do is cross-country, with some downhill skiing. Cross-country ski destinations are usually in Gatineau Park, the NCC Greenbelt, and other trails in the Ottawa area, such as the Sir John A. Macdonald (SJAM) trail along the Ottawa River.
Coordinator: Robert Bultitude, hike at ottawaoutdoorclub.ca
From March or April to November or December, we plan to meet every Sunday morning. Most hikes are in Gatineau Park. During warmer weather, many times we plan a stop for a swim. We strongly recommend wearing hiking boots, hiking shoes, or running shoes.
Coordinator: Robert Bultitude, canoe at ottawaoutdoorclub.ca
During the late spring and summer, we try to schedule two canoe trips per week: one weekday evening and one day on the weekend, usually Sunday. Daytime and evening trip destinations are many times in Gatineau Park or on the Gatineau River or the various Ottawa waterways. We are generally back at the Community Centre by about 7:00 PM for day trips and around 11:00 PM for our evening paddles.
Coordinator: Alex Wharton, walk at ottawaoutdoorclub.ca (April to October); Alex Wharton, winterwalk at ottawaoutdoorclub.ca (November to March)
For casual hikers, this Level 0.5 walk is a great way to stretch your legs for 1 - 1½ hours each week for evening walks and usually a little longer for daytime walks. These get-togethers provide a friendly way to meet Club members in an informal setting. Our destination may include the Arboretum or Hogs Back Falls or other Ottawa landmark—the destination varies with whimsy and the weather—but we always wind up at a pub or eatery by the end of the evening for a late dinner and some friendly conversation (COVID-19 restriction).
Coordinator: Position vacant, cycle at ottawaoutdoorclub.ca
During the spring, summer, and fall, bicycle trips are planned for many Saturdays, leaving in the morning and returning mid- to late afternoon. Several out-of-town weekend trips are usually planned. Use of a helmet is mandatory when bicycling with us. Also, we strongly encourage you to carry a spare bicycle tube and repair kit.
Coordinator: Position vacant, social at ottawaoutdoorclub.ca
Throughout the year, we hold various social activities. Some are organized by individual members, and some, such as our monthly pub night, gallery tours, and our end-of-summer barbecue, are organized by the OOC. We've gone swing dancing, contra dancing and ballroom dancing, gone for dinner and a movie, had New Year's Eve parties (including our very popular annual New Year's Eve pizza dinner), visited a maple sugar shack, attended Winterlude activities, and more.
Coordinator: John Young, 613-232-9143, skate at ottawaoutdoorclub.ca
This is a casual skate of a few kilometres along the Rideau Canal on Friday evenings when the Rideau Canal Skateway is open. On the canal, you can recognize the leader by his distinctive red and black "Canada" toque. After the skate is over, we refortify ourselves at a local establishment.
