Club Contacts

President: Jon Wagner, jonwagner.fflakesimcoe@gmail.com
Journey Director: Deborah Wagner, deborahwagner1953@gmail.com
Membership Director: Carol Aberdeen, carolaberdeen@gmail.com

Club Info

We are a new Club charter in 2019 with 29 members and have we identified 50+ new potential members invited to our open meetings in the Lake Simcoe/Lake Couchiching/Orillia area in Simcoe County, close to Barrie and Muskoka regions. We invite new members and potential leaders to join grow this new club.

Area Info

The Lake Simcoe/Lake Couchiching/Orillia area is part of Simcoe County which is located in the central portion of Southern Ontario, Canada stretching from the shores of Lake Simcoe in the east to Georgian Bay in the west. It is part of Ontario’s Lake Country is one of Ontario’s most picturesque regions with radiant lakes and rivers and an array of activities for all to enjoy year-round. Located just 1.5 hours north of Toronto in Simcoe County, on the shores of Lake Simcoe, Lake Couchiching and the Trent Severn Waterway.

Though Lake Country’s assets are plentiful, none are more perfect than its shimmering lakes, rivers, and streams. In fact, some of the best boating, paddling and water sports in Canada can be found here along with many other fantastic outdoor recreation activities including road and trail cycling, mountain biking, skiing and more. It encompasses five distinctive districts: Orillia, Oro-Medonte, Rama, Ramara, Gravenhurst, and Severn.

With Muskoka Ontario immediately north, Barrie on the south shore of Lake Simcoe, and Georgian Bay region is quickly being discovered by nature lovers, and for outdoor recreation.

Typical Journey

The Lake Simcoe/Lake Couchiching/Orillia area have a wealth of beautiful rivers, lakes and streams and colourful countryside and a rich history. Some of our many rich experiences include:

• History: Discover the Native Fish Fences, also known as the fishing weirs, that date back over 7,000 years located at the Narrows of Lake Couchiching. Ontario’s Lake Country boasts beautiful heritage buildings such as the Orillia Opera House, the Orillia Museum of Art & History and the historic Leacock Museum and National Historic Site to name a few. Travel the scenic country side and visit The African Methodist Episcopal Church or Big Chute Marine Railway (part of the Trent Severn Waterway).
• You can touch history at Coldwater Canadiana Heritage Museum including The Woodrow Homestead which sits on 6.5 acres of parkland, and see The Canadian Canoe Museum, a unique national heritage centre that explores the canoe’s enduring significance to the peoples of Canada, through an exceptional collection of canoes, kayaks and paddled watercraft or see the largest known concentration of Indigenous rock carvings (petroglyphs) in Canada, depicting turtles, snakes, birds, humans and more; this sacred site is known as “The Teaching Rocks” at Ontario Parks: Petroglyphs near Peterborough.
• Culture: Combine your favourite theatre adventure or art gallery tour with shopping, dining and other events while visiting Lake Country. Check out our attractive theatre packages or come and learn about the Culture and History of Ontario’s Lake Country home to authour local legend Stephen Leacock , folk legend Gordon Lightfoot and Mariposa Folk Festival , one of the longest running folk festivals in North America . Enjoy Orillia with a free walking tour!
• Visit the home of Home of Chippewas of RAMA First Nations and participate in the Loudest and Proudest Powwow in Ontario and visit the Learning Place Visitor Centre to discover the traditions of the Ojibway (Nishnaabe) people through the teachings of the medicine wheel at the Petroglyphs Park.
• Experience nature and History together at Scout Valley / Regan House. Scout Valley offers a variety of trails for you to explore, from a short walk to an afternoon hike, enjoy the unique terrain this site has to offer. Regan house was built in 1832 by the Regan Family and is the oldest in all of Orillia.
• See Ontario’s first European Community, Sainte-Marie among the Hurons was the headquarters for the French Jesuit Mission to the Huron Wendat people. In 1639, the Jesuits, along with French lay workers, began construction of a fenced community.
• Cycling trails weave through the city and countryside. Bike rentals are available.
• Hiking, bird watching, and golfing activities extend through the spring, summer, and autumn seasons.
• Boating, hiking, canoeing & kayaking, swimming, and fishing are popular summer activities. Local Provincial Parks, numerous lakes and rivers, and private cottages of FFLS members can provide locales for experiencing these activities, or just for picnicking and relaxing.
• Downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, dog sledding, skating, curling, hockey, and ice fishing are just some of the many winter activities in the area.
• Visit the S. S. Keewatin in Port McNichol, a passenger steamship that began her service in the Canadian Pacific Railroad Great Lakes Steamship fleet in 1907 or visit the Discovery Centre to see the history of steamships and Heritage Muskoka Wooden boats and take a trip on Muskoka Steamship or a Orillia Cruise Ships to lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe
• In 2021 we formed a relationship with the Robert L. Bowles Nature Centre named after Bob Bowles, an award-winning environmental consultant, writer, educator and naturalist, and the Vice President of our club. Our club enjoys hiking, walking, snowshoeing, environmental outings and deepening friendship around the campfire.