Community Connections

Getting involved in your new community will go a long way towards making you feel at home. Kingston offers a wide range of opportunities:

Getting Involved in the Kingston Community

On the social scene, Kingston has something for everyone. To join a club, special interest group, hobby or sports group check the 211 data base. There are thousands of entries; each providing contact and registration information. The community website Kingstonist has up-to-date information on sports and recreation in the city.

Just a few examples:

  • The Kingston Field Naturalists Club's goal is to stimulate an interest in nature and the preservation of wildlife through field trips and speakers. Meets on the Queen's campus.
  • The Rideau Trail Club sponsors day hikes and other outdoor activities. Hikes vary in length and degree of effort; many are on the Rideau Trail, a cross-country footpath between Kingston and Ottawa. In winter months, there are cross-country ski outings.
  • The Kingston Sport and Social club offers a mix of sports and social events. You can join on-line!
  • Kids Kingston is an online discussion site providing parents with social contacts and information about community events and activities.

Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to get involved. To find a volunteer position, check Kingston's Volunteer database.

To find out about events in the Kingston area, pick up a free copy of Kingston This Week, published once a week. It's delivered in some areas or pick one up at a location near you.

Dial 211

For assistance on finding the information you need, dial 211. It connects you to a range of services from non-emergency to social, government, and health and it is available in over 150 languages. Refer to this 211 Ontario brochure for more information.

There are several ways to find information on the various places of worship in Kingston:

  • watch for notices in community media
  • contact a local ethno-cultural organization through 211.

Pie graph. Kingston: English only - 85.3%; French only - 3.9%; English and French - 0.3%; Other Langues(s) - 11.2%.

Source: 1000 Islands Region Workforce Development Board (board@workforcedev.ca)

Facts on Diversity in Kingston:

  • Of a total population of 114,050 in the City of Kingston, there are 8150 persons who are included in Statistics Canada's count as Visible Minorities.
  • French Language: According to the 2006 Census, there are just over 4,000 persons whose mother tongue is French.
  • Organizations dedicated to nurturing and preserving diverse cultures and traditions in Kingston can be found on this searchable data base.

For a city its size, Kingston offers an exceptional variety of cultural amenities. Kingston's lively downtown offers a newly renovated venue for the City's symphony orchestra, and venues for many musical groups, amateur and professional theatre companies. For a detailed listing of the many offerings available check these sites:

  • The Grand Theatre for an exciting line-up of shows and concerts.
  • Le Centre Culturel Frontenac un lieu de promotion, de formation, de production et de diffusion dans le domaine artistique, un lieu de presentation de services communautaires en francais ainsi qu'un lieu de rassemblement pour les francophones et francophiles.
  • Domino Theatre - a community theatre offering a full seven-play winter session.
  • The Leon's Centre, Kingston's downtown entertainment venue offering events from hockey to concerts.
  • The Agnes Etherington Arts Centre featuring a range of contemporary and historical exhibitions throughout the year.
  • Visit Kingstonist's Arts and Culture section for an up-to-date list of events such as concerts and art shows.
  • Participate in the arts at the Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning