Seniors Programs

Join us for the Fall Festival at Chappell Farms on Friday, October 29.  Take a wagon tour through the pumpkin patch, make your way through a corn maze, visit the animals, pick a pumpkin, and enjoy a delicious lunch in the great outdoors.  Admission, lunch, and a small pumpkin are included with this trip.

Lunch Options:

Sandwich*:  Egg Salad, French Café Turkey, or Veggie Wrap AND

Side Salad:  Sunshine Spinach or Broccoli

*Wheat free bread is available upon request

Chappell Farms is located at 617 Penetanguishene Road, Barrie .  Please plan to arrive at the farm by 11:00 a.m.  Call our Information Line at 705-645-2100 ext. 4199 to register by October 22.

Please note, due to COVID-19, participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation for each of the day trips.  Please call our Information Line if you require information about transportation programs available within Muskoka.  To be fair to all participants, older adults may register for one trip.  If you wish to attend a second trip, we will add your name to a waitlist and contact you if spots are still available following the registration deadline.

Join Sky River Meadows for an in-person, interactive goat animal therapy session.  This program will provide animal education and give opportunity to individuals to connect with the goats.  Animal therapy is proven to a positive impact on mental and physical health.  We can’t wait to share the experience with you in-person! 

To register, please call 705-645-2100 ext. 4199, leave your name, telephone number, indicate the program, date, and location.  Participants can register for one program location as spaces are limited. 

Please note individuals must register and self-screen prior to attending their scheduled event.  Due to restrictions, we will not accept program walk-ins to these scheduled special events.  All COVID-19 safety protocols and regulations will be followed in accordance with District of Muskoka, Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit and Provincial guidelines.  Please wear a mask, maintain physical distance and adhere to the policies and procedures set out by our team.

Urban poling (also known as Nordic walking) has toning, calorie-burning and posture benefits.  Like cross-country skiing but without the skis, Urban poling offers a core workout, takes pressure off your hips and knees as you walk, helps balance your blood sugar, and much more.  Join an outdoor walking group this fall and keep active while having fun and staying social!

The Urban Pole Walking Group will meet on Wednesday afternoons in Dwight from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., beginning October 6 and ending November 10.  Walkers will park at Dwight Public Library, 1014 Dwight Beach Road, and meet at the gazebo.  Want to participate but don’t own a set of poles?  No problem.  Borrow a pair of Urban walking poles from WISE Mobile Active Living Centre!  We have both Fitness and Activator poles available for loan free of charge to interested participants.  Please call our Information Line to register at 705-645-2100 ext. 4199. 

Email your submission to seniorsprograms@muskoka.on.ca by Monday, November 1st at noon to enter.  Only one submission per person please.

The series will be hosted over Zoom on Tuesday afternoons from 1:00—3:00 pm starting on Tuesday, October 26 and ending on Tuesday, November 30.

Participants who register will receive a complimentary budget tracker to assist with financial planning.

Are you a savvy saver with tips and tricks to pass on to other seniors?  Join our expert panel of senior savers for our round-table that will conclude our series!  Your knowledge can help other seniors save too!  Contact us if you are interested in being one of our senior experts.  To register or join the expert panel, please call our Information Line to register at 705-645-2100 ext. 4199.

WISE participants are working hard and having lots of fun rehearsing their Virtual Theatre Production.  Not particularly interested in acting but want to be involved in this exciting project?  Join us as a volunteer in one of the areas listed below.  Dates and times of participation are flexible.

Volunteers are needed in the following areas:

Costume Assistants—Help to source or create simple costume accessories to enhance the final production.

Set and Prop Assistants—Paint simple backdrops to give the audience an idea of where a scene is taking place.  Source or create simple props to help bring the story to life.

Front of House Assistants— These volunteers will fulfill various roles based on their area of interest.  For example, they might act as virtual ‘ushers’ for the final performance, welcoming audience members as they log on.  They might announce scene changes and provide information about the upcoming play.  Finally, they could act as the production ‘host,’ welcoming the audience to the production.

Marketing Assistants—Help to spread the word about our Virtual Performances.  We will mail you printed posters to deliver and/or post around your local community.

Mark Your Calendars! 

It has been said that a performance is only as good as the audience you are playing to.  Come participate in one of our virtual performances as a valued audience member!  Everyone is welcome, including family, friends, and community members.  Please join us on Monday, November 8 or Wednesday, November 10 at 10:00 a.m.  You won’t want to miss these exciting, fun events.

For more information, to volunteer, or to RSVP for a performance, please contact our Information Line at 705-645-2100 ext. 4199.

Join WISE Without Walls this summer Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 1:20 p.m. —3:00 p.m..  This telephone program features a variety of health information, general interest topics, fun activities, games, and much more!  Please note there is no programs on holidays.  Call us to register for WISE Without Walls and stay social from the comfort of your own home!

October Program Schedule:

Have fun with neighbours and friends (new and old) on Zoom.  Join Virtual Village this fall on the first Tuesday of each month.  We will send an email reminder the day prior to the program.  Each program will include a theme and a topic featuring health information, art and culture, general interest topics, discussions, games, activities and more!  The theme is optional and a way to add a bit of fun to each program with attire or sharing with the group.   Call our Information Line to register for Virtual Village and receive the email program reminders.  We know it can take a village to keep us all connected, hope to see you there! 

October Program Schedule

The Laptop Loaner Program and Tablet Loaner Program are two programs that allow you to borrow a device to participate in our virtual programs, other community programs, and stay connected with friends and family.  The Laptop Loaner Program will require your own internet services.  The Tablet Loaner Program will include limited data (internet) for you to use for those that don’t have access to internet services.  We want our participants to eliminate barriers to stay connected.  For more information on this program, please call our Information Line at 705-645-2100 ext. 4199.  

If you are looking to participate in our programs but need some assistance navigating your computer, laptop, tablet, iPad, or smart phone, look no further as we are offering limited one-on-one technology assistance and support for older adults in Muskoka.

We have partnered with Senior Tech Services to offer up to five sessions to interested participants.  We want individuals to feel comfortable and confident joining programs virtually.   If you would like to register for our Technology Support Program, please call our Information Line at 705-645-2100 ext. 4199.

Urban poling (also known as Nordic walking) has toning, calorie-burning and posture benefits.  Like cross-country skiing but without the skis, Urban poling offers a core workout, takes pressure off your hips and knees as you walk, helps balance your blood sugar, and much more.  Interested in getting outside in our spring weather and trying this fun and beneficial exercise?  Borrow a pair of Urban walking poles from WISE Mobile Active Living Centre! 

We have both Fitness and Activator poles available for loan free of charge to interested participants.  Pick up for the poles will take place at the Community Services Hub, 169 Pine Street, Bracebridge on Tuesday, May 11.  Please contact us if you need alternate arrangements for pole pick ups.  Poles available are limited and will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.  Please call 705-645-2100 ext. 4199 to reserve your set of poles and arrange a pick up time. 

Join Virtual Combined Fitness Class on Zoom Tuesday and Thursday mornings, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., beginning September 14 and ending October 21.  Please note there is no class on Tuesday, Oct. 5.  This non-impact class incorporates a safe cardio workout, balance training, strength and endurance training, stretching, and lots of fun!  Participants interested in joining the fall session must register by calling our Information Line.  Please note that the last summer class will take place on Thursday, August 26.

We want to encourage you to stay active and healthy.  Please participate in our fitness programs at your own risk and the intensity level that is right for you.  

Click the WISE Combined Fitness Class Handouts below to Stay Active at Home:

Strengthening Exercises - Balls

Strengthening Exercises - Bands

Strengthening Exercises - Weights  

Strengthening Exercises - No equipment necessary

The Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging has just put together some ‘Active at Home’ videos.  This is a great way to add to your fitness routine at home and they are free!