Jenn moved to Toronto in the summer of 2004, fresh out of university and looking for a job. Introduced to the TOC by Google in the Spring of 2006, she figured it would be a great way to meet new people and return to some of the activities which had been neglected during her schooling. Born in Ottawa to an outdoorsy family, Jenn has been camping and canoeing for as long as she can remember. After moving to Saskatoon during high school, she continued to be active outdoors with her friends, exploring the northern Saskatchewan wilderness. It was during university at Queen’s in Kingston that Jenn took up cycling. Camping and Canoeing were never a possibility due to logistical circumstances, so after several years of longing for calm waters and campfires, the TOC seemed like the perfect way to get involved once again.

In November 2007, Jenn took over the role of President from Stephanie Amann. She can be reached at

See Upcoming Events or Past Events being coordinated by JennP.

Like the Phoenix reborn, El Rey Del Fuego has risen from the ashes and rejuvenated himself through the awe-inspiring activities set forth by the club. The once mild mannered and reserved Insurance Broker has broken out of his shell to become a highly active and visible volunteer. His name is often spoken with reverence and hushed tones. His reputation, which ever one you choose, now precedes him, almost haunting him to the point where his inner demon, now dubbed by some as Del Diablo, will often times break out and speak his mind. Unfortunately, El Rey is unaware of Del Diablo’s actions, and is always left dealing with his aftermath!

When not possessed by Del Diablo, you can find El Rey Del Fuego (aka Jason) backpacking through frigid and frostbite inducing temperatures, commanding the weather to do his bidding during cycling events, or on occasion, mastering his short game on the fairways.

You’ll soon see El Rey at a campfire near you, but be careful, because if you invoke *his* name, *he* may just show up, and then you’ll really have trouble on your hands!

Jim grew up in rural Alberta, on a grain farm north of Edmonton. Since leaving Alberta in 1985, he has lived in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and, finally, Ontario. He has a particular fondness for Nova Scotia and the Maritimes.

Jim enjoys hiking and biking, as well as winter activities such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. He is also interested in travel, literature, live concerts, movies, and theatre.

See Upcoming Events or Past Events being coordinated by Jim O.

Alison has been in Toronto for about 3 years. Before she made it to our busy metropolis, she bopped around the world, most recently in Northern Italy, working for the European Commission. She has family in this area so the GTA seemed a logical location to come to when she returned to Canada. Alison can be found hiking, golfing, scuba diving, photography when she's outside, but also enjoys reading, watercolour painting, exploring new cuisines (currently into south-east Asian) and needlework of all kinds. When she's not pursuing this great list of activities, she can be found as a project manager for a local municipality.

Alison discovered the TOC in the middle of 2005 and saw an opportunity to meet like-minded people and do outdoor stuff with a friendly group. Alison is our Web Site Analyst, but, if time allows, she might be leading some hiking, golfing, whitewater rafting events in the future.

Alison is also the person to contact if you have ideas for web site content or questions about the site. While she is not responsible for programming the site, she is the team lead for the Operations team and she'll make sure that all suggestions are reviewed for possible future incorporation.

• Ensuring correctness and accuracy of static web site content
• Event Content Management: ensuring correctness and accuracy of event details and write-ups
• Member Content Management: ensuring correctness and accuracy of member data
• Consult with TOC volunteers, especially the executive team, to determine web requirements
• Communicate web requirements to the web developer and participate in discussions with affiliated clubs to determine common development requirements

Hi there, and welcome to the Toronto Outdoor Club! I hope you, like me, will find the club to be a wonderful experience with lots of amazing new friends and opportunities!

No one could be more surprised than my own family that I not only belong to an outdoor club, but lead events for one! I grew up on a farm, but it was only during my first trip to British Columbia in 2005 that I realized how much nature meant to me. Since becoming an event coordinator in the spring of 2006, I’ve tried to offer events that are friendly to those who might be unsure whether this whole nature thing is for them (even the tree-planting events are fun!).

I can also tell you that you don’t have to be an athlete to be a full participant in the Toronto Outdoor Club. I have a genetic neuromuscular condition that moderately affects my balance and coordination, and makes walking and running about twice the effort as for someone else. While I have to be selective about the activities I sign up for (for my own safety and enjoyment), the TOC has been amazingly accepting and I’ve still been able to participate in many cool events.

So now that the testimonials are over, here are some other random details about me: I work in downtown Toronto as a manager/analyst in a busy IT department; I love photography; I avidly read blogs, and have a blog that I update daily; I have degrees in biology and education; I once lived in South Korea, teaching English, for two years; and I am a vegetarian. Community is very important to me, both in concept and practice. Among my newest passions are my volunteer work rescuing migratory songbirds that fly into our city’s buildings, and my twin niece and nephew, born in January 2007.

I look forward to meeting and hanging out with you on future events!

See Upcoming Events or Past Events being coordinated by Cynthia B..

Dominic arrived in Toronto in 17 years ago, from Trinidad via New York. Originally from Lincolnshire in England, Dominic emigrated to his father's birthplace, Trinidad at the age of 22.

From childhood, he has had fond memories of camping and hiking, from travelling Europe in a Bedord Dormobile, tenting in Llanberis and hiking the length of the Lake district and parts of the Penine Way. Other activities have included snorkelling and spear fishing in Buccoo reef (Tobago), line fishing (and catching a 7 foot Blue Marlin á la Hemingway).

Since arriving in Canada, Dominic has included on average one wilderness canoe trip in each of the last 17 years, taking his two children and others most times, for forays of from 3 to 7 days (and enduring many complaints along the way). However, they have all volunteered to go again.

As our Ombudsman, Dominic will act as a liason between our membership and our leadership, helping to mediate conflict and acting as a sounding board for any changes in policies or club structure, and our general day to day functionality. All inquiries to Dom will remain confidential. Dominic has over 15 years of coaching, mentoring and mediating experience and he's probably the only person who dares to tell the president what to do ;)

Dominic is an avid R.P.G. gamer, and an amateur musician, playing guitar and recorder both classical and folk. He found the T.O.C. via Stephanie, and immediately decided it was a something he had to belong to. In fact, he liked it so much, he decided to marry the President!!

In November, 2007, Stephanie decided to step aside and let a new generation of TOC volunteers takeover the day to day administration so she can spend more time with her husband, Dominic, and her two dogs Rocky and Trixie. As the founder she is always around and continues to coordinate events.

Tania grew up in the suburbs of Toronto in a family whose interests were anything but outdoorsy. As a result, it took 32 years for her to go on her first camping trip (if you don’t count those summer nights she and her sister were allowed to sleep in a tent in the backyard). It also helps account for her acute phobia of anything many-legged, slimy, or cloaked in a carapace. Having discovered the joy that comes with challenging herself, however, she is determined to try backcountry camping and portaging … someday.

Tania’s interests include being active (running, swimming, hiking, biking, rock climbing, yoga and, most recently, cross-country skiing); taking in cultural events, such as theatre, opera, film, and art shows; reading; watercolour painting; and anything and everything to do with food and wine. She has degrees in English literature from the University of Toronto and McGill, and is a published writer, although she makes her living by putting words into the mouths of politicians.

In addition to being an event co-ordinator with the TOC, Tania volunteers with the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and sportcares.ca, and is a member of Mensa.

Tania shares her home with her diabolically adorable extra-long mini-dachshund, Milo (“he looks like a snake with legs!”). Both are active members of the Toronto Dachshund Meet-up Group. Milo is keen to participate in more TOC events, and wants Tania to organize more dog-friendly events.

In August 2007, Tania picked up the Communications baton from Deb and is now our official "Info Chick". As communications lead, Tania is on the front lines of our inquiry mailbox and answers all questions directed through our Contact Us page. She is also going to field any Media requests - from outlets who are wondering just what is this large group of people doing out here?

You can reach Tania at Info@TorontoOutdoorClub.com or Media@TorontoOutdoorClub.com depending on what you'd like to talk to her about.

Chuck was born in Hong Kong and came to Toronto when he was 11. When he was 3, he took off with some older neighbors to a mountain stream for a swim, and didn’t tell his mother. That was when his love for the outdoors began. The first outdoor encounter in Canada was on a 6th grade week long school trip to Boyne River Conservation Education Center. He learned cross-country skiing , snowshoeing and orienteering. From that point, he knew he was in love with the Canadian winter.

He has lead wilderness canoe trips to places including the Spanish River, French River, Killarney, Algonquin Park and Temagami. When he isn’t camping on summer weekends, Chuck is most likely rollerblading or biking. He also plays beach volleyball and tennis. In winter, he cross-country skis at least once a week. Snowboarding and downhill skiing on the bigger mountains outside of Ontario also nurtures Chuck’s obsession for the outdoors.

A keen sense of extreme adventures has taken Chuck around the world. Among his favourites are trekking in the Himalayas; scuba diving with bull sharks in Belize; climbing an active volcano in Guatemala; solo backpacking among grizzly bears in Alaska; downhill skiing in Austria and Italy; white-water rafting in Honduras and Nepal; and surfing in Costa Rica.

In the city, he likes to go out with friends to dinner, dancing, movies and bars.

He is certified for First Aid and CPR since 1999, and is a volunteer for the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA).

David has lived in Toronto all his life, except for 3 years traveling, studying and working in Europe. He heard about the TOC a few months ago, and liked what he saw on the Web site. David earns his keep by tutoring people to use their home computers and repairing them – that’s the computers not their users!

David enjoys "gentle" cross-country skiing, bicycling and car camping – that’s not camping in a car, rather near a car :-) - and he looks forward to organizing and leading these kinds of trips for the TOC. David is also willing to try other activities.

Jo grew up in the Brampton/Caledon area and lived in Montreal, Scotland and the US before moving to Toronto a few years ago. She has a graduate degree in anthropology and has been working in education, specifically in online course support and design.

Jo's interests include hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, camping, cycling, anything to do with water, photography, film, urban exploration and historical walks/tours. When hiking, she likes plenty of photo stops and chances to "smell the flowers" as well as learn about the history, geology and flora/fauna of the area. She plans to coordinate more hikes, horse-related activities, movie nights and urban walks for the TOC.

Jo also dreams of a dogsledding/winter camping weekend - something to look forward to this coming winter!

Jose was born during a natural disaster in Honduras, Central America. As a child he drew quite a bit and thought he would become an artist, but as it turned out, became of Computer Programmer instead.

Jose came to Canada in 1987 at the age of 13. He didn’t speak English but learned quite quickly. He has lived in Toronto the entire time.

Born, raised, and still living in a small town, Justin is no stranger to the rural life. He is no stranger to outdoor events, having been taken on numerous camping and hiking trips to Algonquin, Balsam Lake, and Sibbald Point Provincial Parks by his parents.

Justin enjoys going on outdoor adventures and watching the odd movie. He has previously commuted to Toronto for work, but never actually lived there. He is currently employed as a “mercenary for hire” and seeking employment in the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Currently, Justin is attending his basic training with the Canadian Armed Forces.

Katherine is from the Toronto area. She grew up doing day hikes and car camping with her family, progressing to backcountry hiking and canoeing with friends in high school and university. She joined the TOC to get back to these activities and to meet new people with similar interests.

Katherine’s outdoor pursuits include: backcountry camping, canoeing, car camping, cross-country skiing, urban and wilderness hikes, and walking tours. She also enjoys social events such as movie nights and dinners, and just about any other excuse to meet with TOC members.

She is the self-proclaimed Mistress of Games. Lillian loves the urban life and her idea of a perfect Saturday afternoon is wandering around different neighborhoods shopping and eating. She combines her love of games and her secret discoveries of the city by creating urban races for the club. She can occasionally be found yelling on her cell phone on the streets of Toronto.

Since moving to Canada, Lillian has come to learn several new things in her life -- winter, snow, freezing rain, winter tires, "Giant crystals on the ground are not hail. They're salt.", temperatures below 10C, the metric system, butter tarts, and Tim Horton's. She looks forward to learning more about Canadian culture, like peameal bacon!

See Upcoming Events or Past Events being coordinated by Lillian.

Lisa grew up in Oakville, outside of Toronto. She became an outdoor enthusiast as a kid, camping with her family & dog in a tent trailer across Canada. She joined her high school's outdoor club and went on many canoe trips. To this day she hates "boil in a bag" food. She enjoys back-country & car camping, kayaking, cross country skiing, swimming, and leisurely walking/hiking in & outside of the city.

Min is an art and outdoor lover. She has studied Visual Arts and Education at York University. She dedicates herself in helping people with special needs particularly when it comes to children. As an educator, she uses her creativity to help students realize their ability and potential towards achieving personal goals. Teaching gives Min the opportunity to express herself in a spontaneous manner. The spontaneity and a sense of curiosity have allowed her to travel all over the world to see and experience new things. As well as Canada, she has been to such places as France, Italy, Hawaii, Spain, Thailand, Hong-Kong and England. Her next adventure is to take a year and backpack around the world and maybe work in a third world country.

Min was born in England then went to Hong-Kong before coming to Toronto.

Besides art, travelling and outdoor adventures, Min also enjoys yoga, cardio workout, cultural events and dance. Min believes that in order for the body to function properly, it must be balanced in three ways, mind, body and spirit. TOC has helped her in achieving this balance and now she wants to contribute back to the club so others can experience the same.

A favourite quote… “Don’t waste time trying to be happy. Happiness most often comes unplanned and unexpectedly- like a shooting star on a silent night”. –Unknown author

Perkin had a dream once, and that was to become the first Philipino Down Hill Skier to win a gold medal at the Olympics. His dream was quickly shattered along with his knee in a freak accident involving an escalator and a piece of gum, and now he contents himself by teaching others the ways of the powder.

Little else is known about Perkin, except that he hails from San Francisco and came to Toronto to chase after a two-headed golden cow. It has been said that this two-headed cow gives Perkin the ability to play a better golf game, and as such, you’ll find him on the greens practicing his exceptional putting stroke.

While not teaching young minds the way of the powder or duffing it on the golf course, Perkin also enjoys Hiking, Biking, and Kayaking, and looks forward to posting future events involving these fun activities.

His past work experience includes a variety of job positions within the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, as well as field positions with Long Point Bird Observatory and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Centre. He is a committee member of the Ontario Field Ornithologists and a member of Bird Studies Canada.

Rob is a municipal lawyer.

See Upcoming Events or Past Events being coordinated by Rob M..

Life before Toronto: yes, it does exist for some of us. For Rob, it was a prairie upbringing alternating between Saskatoon, Edmonton and Winnipeg—always keeping one step ahead of the bullies. The earthly charms of Hogtown eventually beckoned which was soon followed by several attempted escapes from said town’s all-embracing clutches: a youthful period of wandering aimlessly about through the Middle East and Indian subcontinent; five more purposeful years in Europe (France and England) and numerous other international adventures in between. Lately, Rob has found the urge to get away sated by his annual two-month getaways (yes, he’s a teacher) to such places as South America, China and, more recently, Africa.

Rob’s outdoor interests are equally varied: canoeing when the ice is thin enough, snowshoeing and skiing when it’s not; hiking and camping in all weather. He is a recent member of the club, having joined in April 2006—which only goes to show that you don’t need to have been around long to stick your paddle in and start lily dipping. He joined because . . . well, just because.

Watch out for some canoe tripping and backcountry hiking events from him in the future. And remember, the answer to the question is: yes, that IS a real expresso maker!