Interest Groups

Interest Groups are a great way to meet new people and make new friends. We socialize and meet other members in a smaller setting, often in members’ homes. All interest group meetings are scent free.


Book Groups
 

Can Lit I

Meets on the second Monday of every month at 2pm. Currently, the group is at capacity.

Can Lit II

Meets on the first Monday of every month at 10am. Currently, the group is at capacity.

Tuesday Afternoon Eclectic Readers

Memoirs, to Mysteries, Non-fiction, Historical fiction, etc. The group meets at members’ homes from 1:30 to about 3:30 on the third Tuesday of the month from September to June (excluding December).

Wednesday Afternoons

A terrific group of women that meet the fourth Wednesday of the month at 1pm to have a friendly discussion about that month’s book. We warmly  welcome newcomers! Many of the 10 members of the group have travelled extensively and/or lived in many places in the world which flavours the discussions. Fiction and non-fiction.

Women's Issues

The third Thursday of the month at 1:30 pm finds us meeting to discuss a wide variety of books chosen by members. We read books by women, for women or about women. New members welcome!

Who Done It?

If you like mysteries and would like to get together with a group of like-minded readers to discuss your favourites and learn about writers that might be new to you, please join us the first Thursday evening of the month. Currently, the group is at capacity.

Thursday Afternoon Readers

Second Thursday at 1.30. Currently, the group is at capacity.

Best Ever Fabulous Mystery Book Group

First Thursday of the month at 2 pm. If you like mysteries and would like to get together with a group of like-minded readers to discuss your favourites and learn about writers that might be new to you, please join us. New members welcome!

Jane Austen Read Aloud Group

We read aloud from Jane Austen’s novels and include time for lively discussion.  We meet the first and third Thursday of the month at 10 am. Coordinators-Mary D & Robin T. New members welcome!


Dining Groups
 

Joy of Not Cooking

This group meets for dinner on the third Thursday of every month from September through May.  We venture out to Nanaimo restaurants to enjoy different dining experiences and an evening of conversation with fellow members. Currently the group is at capacity. If there is interest in starting another group, contact Carole P. or Suzanne R.

Couples Adventures in Dining

We meet occasionally to enjoy dinner in a local restaurant. Meeting dates vary. This newly revived group welcomes new couples of any gender. Men welcome also. The group welcomes new couples as full participants or as spares.

Dash-Away-Lunch

If you don’t like to cook or just want a break, join us for conversation and different ethnic food each month. Meeting dates vary. New members welcome!

Veggie Potluck

Join us for a potluck vegetarian meal on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 6 pm. Members exchange recipes for the dishes they bring. Conversation is eclectic and interesting. New members are welcome.

International Group

We welcome new members to lunch at various local restaurants on the fourth Thursday of the month.   New members welcome!


Card & Games Groups
 

Bridge

Days vary to suit the members. We play in members' homes. New members welcome!

Canasta

We play every Monday evening at 7 pm in each other’s homes. We do not meet on CFUW meeting dates. New members welcome!


Outdoors Groups
 

Walking Group

Mondays, 9:30 am, except Statutory Holidays. A weekly email announces the meeting place. Walks last about 1½ hours on established trails. Running shoes are suitable footwear. Walks are drop-in (no RSVP expected) and new members are welcome.

Cycling Group

We meet on Tuesday mornings for a 20-40 km ride, weather permitting. Our rides are mainly local but we venture out of town cycling bike trails and roads from Qualicum to Victoria. Carpooling and bike racks are our friends. We are a fun, active group who enjoy cycling and, of course, a coffee stop along the way.  ​​New members with traditional or ebikes and any skill level welcome.

Hiking Groups

Hikers: We meet Mondays at 9:30 am to hike for approximately two hours on local and more distant trails, when we typically include lunch. Working our muscles while engaging in lively discussion in beautiful, natural surroundings is a great way to start the week. New members welcome!

Avid Hikers: We hike group every Monday, and go further and faster. New members welcome!

Pickleball

We meet at  the pickleball courts at Beban  Park at 8.30 a.m. on Wednesdays and play for up to 1 1/2 hrs. depending on court availability. All levels of ability are welcome. New members welcome!


Other Groups
 

Environment Group

Meets on the fourth Thursday of the month, 1.30 pm on zoom. We educate ourselves and engage in advocacy on current environmental issues. New members welcome!

Know Your iPad/iPhone

Meets on the second Tuesday afternoon of the month, 1pm. Learn to make full use of the features on your iPad or iPhone. New members welcome!

Writers' Group

Writers´ Group meets 10 am to noon on the first and third Wednesday of each month on Zoom. New members are welcome. For more information contact Sue B. or Lorna T.

Stitchery Group

If you enjoy knitting, crochet, hooking, quilting or any of the other ‘needle arts’, this group meets on the second Thursday of the month, from 1:30–3:30 pm in members’ homes or yards. Coffee and conversation are included. This group is currently at capacity.

Let's Chat

We meet on the first and third Mondays of the month, 1:30–3:30 pm on Zoom. We continue to have one serious topic for most of the time and for the last half hour we usually discuss a more frivolous question. No preparation is required for this chatty exchange on a wide variety of subjects. New members welcome! 

Podcast Group

This group is currently inactive. If anyone wants further information or to start it up again please contact Suzanne R. or Carole P. New members are welcome!

Conversation en français

Ce groupe n'est plus actif. Si vous aimeriez le rétablir, veuillez communiquer avec Suzanne R ou Carole P.​​​​​​​ Toutes sont les bienvenues !     

Jazz Appreciation

Do you enjoy listening to jazz? Nanaimo has a vibrant jazz community. Join us to hear life jazz at various venues around the city and beyond. New members welcome. Like all interest groups, this group is scent free.

Let's go to a Market

This is an ad hoc group of members who would like to connect to experience the many markets in our region. Anyone in the group can suggest a market, date, and time. New members welcome! Contact Suzanne R. or Carole P. for details.

Movies

Anyone in the group can suggest a movie, date, time and place. We go on senior's discount days if possible. Partners of any gender are welcome. We may plan coffee or a meal in association with the movie. New members welcome!

Museums

We meet once every two months, dates flexible, travelling to a museum, gallery or similar institution to view exhibits and occasionally hear a presentation from a staff member. We discuss the issues brought up in the exhibits or presentations and usually lunch together after the visit. New carpool drivers and passengers welcome. 


Jaunts/Outings
 

Spontaneous group outings can be organized by any member. Past events have included symphony rehearsal sneak peeks, theatre, local tours and day trips, and other events. Let’s be fun and creative.

If you want to organize a jaunt and are unsure of the process contact Suzanne R. or Carole P.