Looking for something to do?
Blackburn Hamlet has a number of neighborhood activities you can get involved in. Check them out below!
Activities
Blackburn Hamlet Duplicate Bridge Club
There are three separate sessions of duplicate bridge that take place in the Blackburn Community Hall, 190 Glen Park Dr.
• Tuesday afternoon at 1 pm Director, Bill Durning (613-824-9593) email: billdurning4@gmail.com Click here for Tuesday results
• Friday afternoon at 1:30 pm Director, Ken Pearson (613-830-1659) email: 887kmp@gmail.com Click here for Friday results
• Monday evening at 7 pm Director, Ken Pearson (613-830-1659) email: 887kmp@gmail.com Click here for Monday results
Each group meets regularly in the Community Hall for friendly duplicate bridge. All are welcome. Players should have a basic knowledge of the game but need not have any experience in duplicate bridge. The sessions are played from September to June with a break for the holiday season.
Sessions typically run for about 3 hours. Games are usually 24 to 30 boards. If you have a partner all you need to do is show up a few minutes before start of play. Anyone looking for a partner can contact one of the directors listed above to see if a suitable partner can be found. There is a nominal fee to cover the cost of renting the facility, the bridge supplies, and any refreshments. For more information contact either Bill Durning or Ken Pearson.
1st Blackburn Scouting Group
Scouts Canada is a Canadian Scouting association providing programs for young people of all genders aged 5 to 26, with the stated aim to help develop well rounded youth, better prepared for success in the world.
Scouts have a lot of fun discovering new things and experiences they wouldn’t have elsewhere. The Canadian Path is a balanced program in which youth participate in adventures relating to: Environment & Outdoors; Leadership; Active & Healthy Living; Citizenship; Creative Expression; and Beliefs & Values. Our group meets on Monday nights in Blackburn Hamlet. Registration and volunteers are accepted through the Scouting year which runs from September to August. For more information: Group Commissioner at gc@blackburnscouting.com. Website: blackburnscouting.com.
170th Blackburn Hamlet Ember Unit
Embers is a place for fun activities for 7 and 8 year olds. She’ll have a blast with old and new friends using her imagination, exploring nature, gaining new skills and finding ways to “Lend a Hand” (The Motto) in her community. Embers usually meet once per week for an hour. Website: register.girlguides.ca/web/en/unit-single/2860
170th Blackburn Hamlet Guide Unit
Guides is a place for exciting activities for 9, 10 and 11 year olds. She’ll have a blast exploring the world and her unique talents as she takes the lead in group activities and helps to organize events and community service projects. New friends, new skills and new experiences are waiting to be found in Guides. Guides usually meet once per week for 90 minutes. Website: register.girlguides.ca/web/en/unit-single/2771.
202nd Blackburn Hamlet Sparks Unit
Sparks is a place for fun activities for 5 and 6 year olds. She’ll have a blast playing games, sharing laughter and discovering her unique talents and interests with new friends in a safe space where she can just be herself. Sparks usually meet once per week for an hour. Website: register.girlguides.ca/web/en/unit-single/2847.
Club Optimiste de Blackburn Hamlet
Buts: De développer l’Optimisme comme philosophie de vie en s’inspirant des principes du Credo de l’Optimiste, d’encourager la participation active à la chose publique, d’inspirer le respect de la loi, de promouvoir le patriotisme et de travailler à l’harmonie internationale et à l’amitié entre les peuples, d’aider la jeunesse et de favoriser son épanouissement, convaincu que de servir son prochain de façon désintéressée contribue au mieux-être de l’être humain, de sa collectivité, et du monde tout entier. Site web: optimist.org/member/clubdirectory/clubdetail.cfm?club=49512,
Dapo Agora
Our commitment is to launch innovative projects and programs that promote non violence among our youths through the use of positive re-enforcement by awarding an annual peace award to a student at Lester B. Pearson High School who demonstrates these traits. We aim to promote against youth violence through the use of state-of-the-art communications technology. Website: dapoagorofoundation.org,
Earth Path
Since 2013, we have been dedicated to fostering meaningful relationships between people and the natural world through transformative nature programs offered at our two beautiful locations: at Just Food Community Farm in Ottawa, ON, and Eco Echo Environmental Campus in Wakefield, QC. We offer these programs for people from all walks of life, including youth, teens, adults, educators, families, and schools. Website: earthpath.ca,
Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre
Reaching out to strengthen our community. 
The Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre is a community-based, non-profit organization. The EORC offers a wide range of services for children & youth, women, families, and Seniors. We offer the following services: resource & referral, counseling, child & youth services, community development initiatives, senior community support services, first words, counseling for women victims of violence & their children. We have various seconded services such as Ottawa Community Immigration Services of Ottawa and Gloucester Recreation Development to list a few. We offer services programs that enhance the communities that we work in: Blackburn Hamlet, Beacon Hill, Carlsbad Springs, Gloucester South, Orleans, Cumberland, Navan, and Sarsfield. For more information: Phone: 613-741-6025 Website: eorc-creo.ca,
Forêt Capitale Forest
Based in Ottawa, Ontario, Forêt Capitale Forest is a registered charity whose mission aims to mitigate the effects of climate change by facilitating the planting of forests and raising awareness of the importance of trees and biodiversity. We engage the local community to plant trees, link ecosystems, and steward resilient urban forests by enabling communities to become urban forest stewards through private and public landowner collaboration. Website: foretcapitaleforest.ca,
Just Food
Just Food is a local, non-profit, community-based organization that works on both rural and urban food and farming issues in Ottawa and the surrounding region. Website: justfood.ca.
Gloucester Horticultural Society
Every month gardeners from Ottawa-East gather to exchange ideas, resolve growing dilemmas, and enjoy the company of other horticulturists in a congenial atmosphere. For more information: Website: gardenontario.org/society-listing/entry/93/er Email: gloucester@gardenontario.org,
Newcomers Club
The Ottawa Newcomers Club is designed to help women new to the City, or who have experienced a significant life style change, to adjust by meeting women of similar interests and to develop friendships by participating in a variety of group activities. These include Fun Lunches, Crafts, Bridge, Walks, Art Tours, Movies, Book Clubs, Photography and Dining. For more information please contact us at newcomersclubottawa@gmail.com or visit our website at ottawanewcomersclub.ca,
Quilting Queens
New and experienced quilters meet Thursdays at the Community Hall, alternating evenings and afternoons (see the community hall schedule or contact us to confirm meeting times). We support many charities including providing CHEO and St. Mary’s Home with quilts. Email Sharon at sharon.kes@bell.net for further information.
Toastmasters
Toastmasters International is a worldwide educational organization. Members develop and improve their leadership and communication skills through hands-on experiential training. We provide a supportive and positive learning experience, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth. We meet every first and third Thursday of the month from 18:30 to 20:00 at Bearbrook Retirement Residence, 2645 Innes Road, Blackburn Hamlet. Please sign in at reception. Be our guest! Web site: blackburn.toastmastersclubs.org.
Eastern Ontario Cycling Community
The Eastern Ontario Cycling Community Facebook page focuses on east-end cycling issues but has information useful to all, both recreational and commuters about routes, resources and events and even private and business sales and service. For more information, please visit facebook.com/groups/BlackburnOrleansCyclists.
Women Warriors Healing Garden
WWHG’s vision is to provide caring and professional community-based support for those who have selflessly served our country, but who do not fit the societal stereotype of a military veteran, including women, visible minorities, Indigenous people and those who identify as 2SLGBTQ+. Website: womenwarriorshg.org.
Sports
Blackburn Badminton Club
The recreational club plays Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings at Glen Ogilvie School, 46 Centrepark. Junior badminton is held on Saturday afternoons for ages 9 to 18. For more information: Website: blackburnbadminton.ca Email: blackburn.bc.ottawa@gmail.com.
Blackburn Ladies Ringette Scrimmage
Play Monday and Wednesday mornings at Lois Kemp arena. For more information: Sue French (613-830-0684).
Blackburn Ladies Softball
Blackburn Ladies Softball League is a recreational softball league that plays on Monday and/or Wednesday nights, from May through September, at the softball diamond behind the Lois Kemp Arena. Players range in age from 18 to 65+, of varying skill levels. Players register as individuals, and then teams are built before the season begins, to evenly distribute pitchers, catchers, and player skill levels. For more information, or to register, visit blackburnladiessoftball.ca or email blslvicepresident@gmail.com.
Blackburn Stingers Hockey
The Blackburn Minor Hockey Association (BMHA) provides hockey programs for players aged from 4 to 20 years old, through our Initiation Program, House League or Competitive programs. In 2021-22, we had about 350 youth registered with the BMHA. Website: blackburnstingers.ca.
Blackburn Tennis Club
This community tennis club features six illuminated hard courts, a fully serviced clubhouse, and an enthusiastic, friendly staff. We welcome players of all ages and skill levels to our round robins, tournaments, and social activities. We have a very active Junior Program, with after school sessions and summer half day “camps”. Our certified Pros use the most up-to-date teaching methods, while having fun at the same time. For more information please go to our website, send us an email, or call during the season. For more information: Website: blackburntennis.ca Email: blackburntennisclub@gmail.com.
Gloucester-Cumberland Girls Hockey Association
The Gloucester-Cumberland Girls Hockey Association (GCGH) is a not-for-profit volunteer-based organization established to provide opportunities for girls in our community (East Ottawa) to become involved in recreational and competitive hockey. GCGH is affiliated with the Ottawa District Women’s Hockey Association (ODWHA) and the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA). From its initial formation as Gloucester Girls Hockey with a single team in 1987, GCGH programs are designed to provide girls and young women with opportunities to participate and develop both hockey and life skills in an atmosphere of fun, friendship and enjoyment. Girls from 4 to over 21 years of age can participate in the sport at a level that matches their individual skills. GCGH programs run from early September to April with an average of games and practices of 3-4 hours per week for Competitive teams, 2 hours per week for House League teams and 1 hour for our FUNdamentals program. For more information visit our website at gcgh.ca or email us at info@GCGH.ca.
Gloucester-Cumberland Ringette Association
Gloucester Cumberland Ringette Association offers a ringette program or team for all ages and skill levels. The bunnies program is our introductory, learn to skate program open to all as young as 4 years old. Come try the fasted sport on ice: Ringette!! For more information: Website: gcra-ringette.ca Facebook: facebook.com/GCRAringette.
Gloucester Recreation Development Organization (GRDO)
The GRDO delivers affordable and accessible recreational sports programs for children and youth ages 4 to 14 who may face financial, cultural, or social barriers in seven neighbourhoods of the City of Ottawa (Blossom Park, Orleans, Blackburn Hamlet, Beacon Hill, Pineview, Carson Grove, and Cyrville). Our programs are a perfect first taste of various sports for young children, and a comfortable environment for any child to try a sport they haven’t tried before. Website: grdo.ca.
Gloucester Women’s Competitive Volleyball League
The Gloucester Women’s Competitive Volleyball League (GWCVL) is a 4-team league playing on Wednesday nights from 8 – 10 pm at Emily Carr Middle School in Blackburn Hamlet. Level of play: Intermediate competitive (with a more relaxed atmosphere!). Teams selected by draft process. Season runs from end of Sept to end of April. Banquet incl in fees. Refs provided. Spares needed on an on-going basis during the season! For more information about playing full-time in the GWCVL, or sparing, please contact: Email: GWCVLeague@gmail.com Facebook: GWCVL’s Facebook Page.
Orleans Nordic Ski Club
The Orleans Nordic Ski Club (ONSC) has been operating out of the east end of the National Capital Region since 1980. The group is entirely volunteer directed and operated and has introduced hundreds of adult and youth skiers to the wonders of winter through cross country skiing. Website: onsc.ca
The ONSC has groomed and track set 33 km of cross country ski trails for classic style (diagonal stride technique) at Green’s Creek/Hornets’ Nest, Mer Bleu (west of Anderson Road) and Pine Grove Forest (north of Leitrim Road) for more than 20 years. These trails are open 24/7 at no charge (weather permitting).
Ottawa Gloucester Hornets Soccer
The Ottawa Gloucester Hornets were formed in 1971 and provide soccer opportunities for youth and adults in East Ottawa. We offer competitive and recreational programming in the Summer, Winter, and Spring. Website: ogschornets.ca.
Ski Heritage East
We’re bringing winter recreation to Eastern Ottawa – whether you cross country ski, walk, fat bike or snowshoe, you can enjoy a community funded, professionally groomed trail from Tweddle Rd (Trim Road) to the Aviation Museum. Website: skiheritageeast.ca.