Recreation

Drop-In Basketball

Thursdays until August 28, 2025, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Dorset Recreation Centre

Drop-in basketball is open to all ability levels. Join us at the Dorset Recreation Centre in the Gymnasium on Thursday evenings.  You can preregister here.  

There is no fee to register online. This program is included with membership. If you do not have a membership, day pass fees will apply upon arrival.

Book Club First Wednesday of the Month The Dorset Book Club meets once a month at the Dorset Recreation Centre on the first Wednesday of the month from 1 to 3 p.m. If you are unable to attend in person upon request we are able to send you a Zoom Link to participate virtually. All are welcome! Learn more or register. 

CARDS & GAMES NIGHT

Dorset Recreation Centre

Come and enjoy a variety of games, fun competition and socialization on Wednesday evenings throughout September from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. 

Scheduled games nights are as follows: 

Sept. 3 - Yahzee/Boggle Night in Dorset

Sept. 10 - Euchre Night in Dorset

Sept. 17 - Bridge Night in Dorset

Sept. 24 - Dominos & Quirkle Night in Dorset

You can preregister here. 

You can view the community calendar here. 

For more information contact the Dorset Recreation Centre at 705-766-9968 or email recreation@algonquinhighlands.ca

CHAIR YOGA ONLINE & IN PERSON

with Ardith via Zoom and at the Dorset Recreation Centre

September 17 to October 29, 2025

Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m.. to 12:30 p.m. 

Cost:  $15.00 + HST per class. All levels are welcome. 

Classes will take place online via Zoom and at the Dorset Recreation Centre, 1051 Main Street. Classes are designed to work on improving balance and maintaining mobility, with the focus on breathing, body awareness, flexibility, and stress reduction. All levels and drop-ins welcome. Registration is available online or by calling 705-766-9968.

Register here.

Sunday, September 28, 2025 to April 26, 2026

10 a.m. to Noon

Dorset Recreation Centre

Come out to the DRC and watch members of the Dorset Model Aviators, Airplane & Helicopter Flying Group fly their small ultra-light, electrically powered flying machines for a minimal fee of $2.00 per person on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

This group follows the safety rules established and are certified by MAAC (Model Aeronautics Association of Canada). Please remember to bring your indoor shoes and join us in the gymnasium of the Dorset Recreation Centre. 

When indoors, the group flies small ultra-light, electrically powered flying machines. Some are airplane-type, others helicopter or quad-copter type.

They share the gym by agreeing to fly in a pattern or take turns to fly mild aerobatics. The electric power allows for quiet operation and due to the light weight, it is safe for all participants.

This group welcomes new members who agree to join MAAC and are willing to follow the established safety rules.

Contact Ark Skupien at skupien@cogeco.ca if interested.

Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon, Stanhope Firefighters' Community Hall 

Come out and join in the fun with instructor Jacqui Bell. This class is a great way to exercise the body and soul while having fun.  All levels of ability welcome, including beginners. The cost per class is $10.00 per person.

For more information contact clancelinedance@gmail.com

Fridays, June 6 to 27, 2025

6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Dorset Recreation Centre

Drop in to play floor hockey at the Dorset Recreation Centre! This program is entails informal, non-competitive pickup-style floor hockey, and is open to all ages. Please note that there is no pre-registration required. This program is free with membership, or day pass fees will apply. 

Dorset

Drop in for pickleball at the Dorset Recreation Centre at 1051 Main Street on:

• Mondays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Tuesdays, Sundays from noon to 2 p.m.
  
• Thursdays and Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

You are welcome to pre-register for any of our drop-in pickleball programs, as well as see how many people have already pre-registered. You can register here. 

Please note pre-registration is not mandatory and you are welcome to continue to drop in any time. Please note a day pass or membership is required to participate at the pickleball drop-in, but the online pre-registration is free.

Please let us know if you have any questions or need support accessing your online account by emailing recreation@algonquinhighlands.ca or calling 705-766-9968.

July 2 to August 19, 2024, Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

(Please note the first night will be Wednesday, July 2 and July 1 is a holiday.)

Stanhope Soccer League is a fun, non-competitive, skills-building, outdoor league for children aged 4 to 11, running July 2 through August 19, 2025, at Stanhope Gardens. The cost of this 8-week program is
$47.15 per child and includes a shirt, team photo and end of the year celebration.

Registration opens April 22, 2025. Please note: Spaces are limited, and volunteer coaches are needed to make this program a success.  If you are interested please reach out to the recreation department at 705-766-9968 or email recreation@algonquinhighlands.ca

Learn more or register. 

Fridays from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m., Stanhope Firefighters' Community Hall

Moving meditation, tai chi incorporates stretching and turning in a sequence of movements. Taoist Tai Chi is specifically designed to improve health. It can bring a wide range of health benefits to the muscular, skeletal, and circulatory systems. In the process, it contributes to better balance and posture, increased strength and flexibility, and calmness and peace of mind.

For more information, visit www.taoist.org, or call Wilma at 705-457-5829.

Fridays from 11 a.m. to noon, Stanhope Firefighters' Community Hall

The basic beginner session is literally just the beginning.  It is an introduction to the movements through a low impact, developmental process, and people of all ages and abilities can learn and benefit from it. Some participants only take the initial session out of curiosity, many continue practicing for the rest of their lives.

For more information, visit www.taoist.org, or call Wilma at705-457-5829.

TONING CLASSES – Dorset Recreation Centre

Tuesdays, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Cost: $2.00

Come out an enjoy Toning class with instructor Joanne McLeod, light weight in a fun and friendly environment. All abilities welcome!  Bring a bag lunch and join us after class for a social time.

You can register here. 

Mondays 10:15 to 11:15 a.m.  Please note there will be NO classes on Statutory Holidays.

Wednesdays from 1 to 2 p.m.

This program is for those aged 55 and older. 

Cost: Free

The VON is offering the SMART (Seniors Maintaining Active Roles Together)® Exercise Program at the Dorset Recreation Centre, free of charge!  (Classes are funded by Ontario Health at Home)

SMART exercises are designed to: strengthen muscles; increase flexibility and/or balance; and prevent falls.

Classes are held twice a week, by VON trained Exercise Leaders.  

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Spaces are limited. 

To register, call 705-787-1996.

Monday – Friday

9:00 to 9:45 a.m.

Dorset Recreation Centre

Come out and join us in the Gymnasium and bring your indoor walking shoes! This program provides opportunity to meet new people, make friends, and build social support networks. It is also a great way to get your steps in on inclement weather days while avoiding the bugs. Please note this program is free with membership, or a day pass fee will apply.

GENTLE YOGA with Ardith at the Dorset Recreation Centre

 September 17 to October 29, 2025

Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a.m.

Cost:  $15.00 + HST per class.

All levels are welcome. Classes will take at the Dorset Recreation Centre in the Gymnasium and are designed to work on improving balance and maintaining mobility, with the focus on breathing, body awareness, flexibility, and stress reduction. Yoga poses will take you from the floor, to hands and knees to standing positions. The cost per session is $15.00 per person, all levels welcome. 

Register here or by calling 705-766-9968. 

ZUMBA – Dorset Recreation Centre

September 22 to November 3, 2025 (Please note there is no class on Monday, October 13^th)

Mondays from 4 to 5 p.m.

Cost:  $2.00 per class

All levels are welcome. Classes will take at the Dorset Recreation Centre in the Gymnasium and this fun fitness class will be for all genders and ability levels (18+ years).

Register here or by calling 705-766-9968.