GROUPS DESCRIPTIONS

(Organized by category. Scroll down for information by day of the week for reference.)

WCA provides the opportunity for its members to meet other women who share similar interests through a wide variety of programming and over 40 study and interest groups! 

Groups are open only to WCA members.  

• Most of these groups do not advertise in the Thursday newsletter, but instead send information about their events by email to those members who have registered for the group.
• To join a group, you must be a WCA member and email the group liaison. 
• Once you are in a group, you will receive a questionnaire each season asking whether you want to continue in the group.  By responding "yes" you will remain on the group email list. By responding no, you will no longer receive correspondence from that group.

• Some groups limit the number of participants due to venue size or to enable each member to have a quality experience.
  

• Some groups are oversubscribed and so popular that a second group is formed. If you are already in the first group, please allow others to sign up for the second group.
  

Only members (once signed in) have access to the Group Details and Liaisons page (the 3rd dropdown choice under "Groups"), which contains Liaisons' contact information. 

WCA NORTH

WCA North was formed to serve WCA members who live in the Bonita Springs,

Estero and South Fort Myers areas to ensure that there are cultural, educational and social activities north of Naples. All WCA members are welcome to attend WCA North programs and to participate in WCA North special interest groups.

WCA NORTH Book Discussion and Lunch

WCA NORTH Ladies Who Brunch

WCA NORTH Mah Jongg and Lunch

WCA NORTH Modern Israeli Authors and Modern Israeli Films

WCA NORTH Read and Relax

WCA NORTH Unforgettable Classic Films

WCA SOUTH

WCA South serves our members who live in the southern and eastern sections of Naples, along the East Trail down to Marco Island.  The South steering committee plans seasonal cultural, educational and social activities in this area.  All WCA members are welcome to attend WCA South programs and to participate in WCA South groups.

WCA SOUTH Canasta

WCA SOUTH Fiction Book Club and Lunch

WCA SOUTH Jewish Book Club

WCA SOUTH Lecture Series, Special Events and Luncheons

WCA NEXTGEN

In the summer of 2021, the WCA NextGen was formed to offer evening and Sunday programming for younger women. This new group is for like-minded women to engage in social and cultural activities relevant to those younger women, especially those who work or have children at home and are unable to participate in daytime activities.

NEXTGEN Canasta

NEXTGEN Couples Biking

NEXTGEN Couples Dinner

NEXTGEN Crafts

NEXTGEN Golf

NEXTGEN Mah Jongg (Day Game)

NEXTGEN Mah Jongg (Night Game)

NEXTGEN Member Dinner

NEXTGEN Pickleball

NEXTGEN Singles

NEXTGEN Sip and Read

NEXTGEN Special Events

NEXTGEN Tennis

CARDS AND GAMES

Canasta

Meets: Wed from 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM; All Year

CANASTA RULES:2023 canasta front.IV.pdf

2023 canasta booklet inside.IV.pdf

Couples Canasta

(Not meeting in 2022)

Meets: Every other Mon at 7:00 PM; Dec – Apr

Duplicate Bridge

Meets: Fri 11:30 AM - 2:45 PM; all year long

Mah Jongg

Meets: Tue from 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM; All Year Long

Scrabble

Meets: Fri at 1:30 PM

WCA NORTH Mah Jongg and Lunch

Meets Wednesdays at 12:00 at Rapallo

WCA SOUTH Canasta

Meets Mondays at 11:30 for optional lunch, 12:30 play at either Rookery or Hammock Bay golf resorts.

NEXTGEN Man Jongg (Day Game)

The group will meet every Wednesday beginning March 6 at 12:30-3:30pm at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center, Terrace.

NEXTGEN Mah Jongg (Night Game)

The group will meet in Fort Myers. Open to all of WCA. 

NEXTGEN Canasta

The group will meet every Friday beginning March 8, from 12-3pm at Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center.

FILMS

The Brazina Documentary Films Series

This is a joint MCA-WCA program. Meets November through April, the first Tuesday of the month, 1:00 -3:00 PM. 

MCA/WCA Documentary Film Series brings you a curated (&/or juried) selection of award winning movies, free of charge. Each month, MCA and WCA members have the opportunity to enjoy an acclaimed limited distribution film, displayed on the big dual screens at Temple Shalom. 

WCA NORTH Modern Israeli Movies and Modern Israeli Authors

Meets monthly on the first Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. This season we will alternate a film and book every month between to discuss and analyze. For movies, members watch on their own prior to meeting. See below under literature.

WCA NORTH Unforgettable Classic Films

Meets monthly on the third Tuesday at 1:00 PM

FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD

Foodies

Participate in food-related events such as demonstrations, recipe sharing, small group food preparation, cooking and dining.

Ladies Who Lunch

Lunches, planned by members of the group, are held once a month, year-round.

WCA NORTH Ladies Who Brunch

Fourth Friday monthly brunches at various “North” restaurants.

WCA SOUTH Luncheons

Meets on the third Wednesday of October, December, February and April

NEXTGEN Couples Dinner

Meets monthly from November-April.

NEXTGEN Member Dinner

Meets monthly from November-April.

LEARNING, CULTURE AND CRAFTS

French (Intermediate)

Meets Wednesdays, 10:00 AM - Noon, January through April. Class size limited to 18 participants.

Jewish Genealogy

Meets Year-Round, the second Tuesday of each month, 10:00-11:30 AM.

Let's Knit and Stitch

Meets each month on the fourth Wednesday for lunch and stitching.

Needlepoint

Meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month.

Readers Theater

(Not meeting in 2021)

Meets: Mon from 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM; Jan - Feb

Second Act Singers

(Not meeting in 2021)

Meets once a month on Thursday afternoons, January through March.

If you love to sing, then join us for some simply sing-along fun with a fabulous accompanist.

Spanish: Hablando Juntas: Speaking Together en ESPAÑOL 

Meets Tuesdays 10:30-12:00 at Beth Tikvah. 

The season begins with zoom 1st and 3rd Tuesdays in November and December. In-person weekly January through March. Join anytime.

Speaker Series

Usually meets several times a month on Thursday morning or afternoon, all year round.

TED Talks (Technology, Entertainment and Design)

Meets monthly November through April, 10:00-11:30 AM, the first Tuesday of the month. TED talks, short, powerful, diverse videos of presentations, in more than 100 languages from conferences around the world, will be shown. Following the video, we’ll have a discussion. Limit 25.

NEXTGEN Crafts

Meets monthly from September-April

LITERATURE, BOOK, AND WRITING GROUPS

Book Study

Meets November – April • 10:00-11:30 a.m., on the second Monday of each month. The group provides an opportunity for in-depth discussions of plot, character and writing style in the selected novels.

Contemporary Fiction

Meets Year-Round, 10:00-11:30 AM, third Wednesday of the month.

Contemporary Short Stories

Meets the third Thursday of each month from 1:00-2:30 PM, January through March. This short story group discusses two short stories each month.

Great Books

Meets the third Monday of each month, December through April, from 10:00 - 11:30 AM. This program uses anthologies from the Great Books Foundation. This year we will begin the fifth book in the series, entitled GREAT CONVERSATIONS BOOK 5.

Jewish Experience Book Club

Meets December through March, once a month, first Friday,10:00-11:15 AM.

Modern Israeli Authors and WCA North Modern Israeli Films

Meets year round, the first Tuesday of the month; 12:00 p.m. for films, 1:00 p.m. for books.

Israeli Authors and Films will now be combined and will alternate each month. 

FILMS will meet at Grandezza Country Club beginning with lunch at 12:00, then movie viewing followed by discussion. 

BOOK Discussions will be at the Bonita Springs Public Library at 1:00 p.m.

Modern Playwrights

Meets December through April on the second Tuesday of the month, 1:00-3:00 PM. This group will focus on discussing six plays. Updates will be provided by email.

The New Yorker Group 1

Meets Year-Round, 1:30-3:30 p.m., the first Wednesday of each month.

Workshop participants are active contributors who select, read, and discuss fiction and nonfiction works from this timely magazine. Each month two articles will be discussed (one fiction and one non-fiction) and two members will facilitate the discussion and prepare relevant questions for the group.

The New Yorker Group 2

Meets the fourth Tuesday of the month, October-April, 1:00-3:00 p.m.

New Yorker Magazine lovers! Due to popular demand, a morning group is forming to engage in discussion of superior short stories and non-fiction, which will contribute to our appreciation of what makes for excellent writing. Each month two articles will be discussed (one fiction and one non-fiction) and two members will facilitate the discussion and prepare relevant questions for the group.

WCA NORTH Book Discussion and Lunch

Meets monthly on the fourth Thursday at 12:00 at the Club at Grandezza for lunch and discussion.

WCA NORTH Read and Relax

Meets year-round, the second Thursday of the month at 1:00 PM

WCA SOUTH Fiction Book Club and Lunch

Meets on the second Thursday at 11:30 p.m.

WCA SOUTH Jewish Book Club

Meets monthly on the third Friday at 1:00

NEXTGEN Sip and Read

Meets on the first Monday night of the month

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

9 Hole Social Golf League

Meets Mondays, December through April, 2:00 p.m. at Valencia Golf and Country Club. A nine-hole social golf group. All levels of play welcome.

Biking

Meets Tuesdays, 9:30 AM for 10–15 mile rides in and around Naples, North Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero. This is a social group, but all riders are expected to ride a minimum of 10 miles per hour. You must register with the liaisons to be on the mailing list to receive the weekly invitation to ride.

How it works: Each week an invitation to ride will be sent to everyone registered.

Helmets are required; mirrors and water are strongly suggested. Vaccinations and boosters are strongly suggested. Riders will take turns leading the rides. Standard biking courtesies and rules will be reviewed.

Bird Watching

Meets Year-Round. Monthly field trips to local parks and natural areas.

Birdwatching combines viewing nature and leisurely walks with friends. Expect easy 2-hour walks each covering about 1 mile. New birders are welcome. Binoculars are needed to see many of the birds. 

Bocce

Meets Fridays beginning January 5, 2024 at 10:00 am at Veterans Community Park • 1895 Veterans Park Drive, Naples (off Immokalee)

Beginners are welcome. Instructions will be given. Email Glenda or Karen if you would like to be part of the group for weekly invitations.

Chair Yoga

Chair Yoga meets Mondays, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center, 4720 Pine Ridge Rd., Naples. The classes will continue during 2023 with three  4-week series:  January  16, 23, 30, Feb.6; 13, 20, 27, March 6; March 13, 20, 27 and April 3. Cost: $35.00 for each four week series or $12 per drop in class.

Social Pickleball

Meets Fridays TIME: 12:00 - 1:00 PM at Veterans Community Park • 1895 Veterans Park Drive, Naples (off Immokalee)

How many: MAXIMUM 20 players per day Cost: Pre-Season (Oct-Dec): $ 25.00; Season (Jan-Mar): $35.00 Equipment: All players must have their own rackets. Balls will be supplied by WCA. Play:This is not an instructional group. Players must have an understanding of the rules of play and have had some court experience.Pairings will be prearranged weekly in Round-Robin style allowing members to play with a variety of ladies. A call for play goes out by email every Monday for the upcoming Friday. You MUST RSVP by Wednesday to be included in play on Friday.

Striking Ladies Bowling Group

Meets Friday Mornings, October through April. Striking Ladies Social Bowling Group meets at Bowland Beacon, Naples. Each week you can register to play, and you will join others for a fun morning of bowling, without defined teams. Pay only when you play.

Sunday Bike and Brunch Group 2

Meets month, Week 2, October through April. The popularity of Sunday Biking has led to a second group! Rides end with brunch at homes or restaurants. Couples and singles are invited.

Walking Group-Sunday

Meets Sundays at 9:00 AM, December-March. This fun and social walking group generally meets at the North Collier Regional Park, 1500 Livingston Road, to walk the 2-mile trail once or twice. As the group evolves, walks may occur at different locations.

How it works: You must register with the liaisons to be on the mailing list to receive the weekly invitation to walk.

Walking Group-Thursday

Meets Thursdays at 8:30 AM, December-March. This fun and social walking group generally meets at the North Collier Regional Park, 1500 Livingston Road, to walk the 2-mile trail once or twice. As the group evolves, walks may occur at different locations.

How it works: You must register with the liaisons to be on the mailing list to receive the weekly invitation to walk.

NEXTGEN Couples Biking

Singles and couples are invited on leisurely bike rides.

NEXTGEN Golf

The group plays on Mondays at different locations.

NEXTGEN Pickleball

The group will meet once a week. Days and times to be determined.

NEXTGEN Tennis

The group meets once a week. Days and times are determined by the group members.

SOCIAL FUN

Couples

The WCA couples group offers a variety of activities for couples. To receive information about all of the special programs designed for couples, you MUST sign up to be part of the WCA Couples group. A broad range of activities is being planned such as brunches, dinners, theater parties, and a mystery event. New members to the group are invited to a "Newcomer Potluck Dinner" that has become an annual event. To be part of the WCA Couples Group, email Phyllis Strome.

Single Girlfriends

Meets Year-Round on the first Sunday of each month. Single Girlfriends is a social group for single women with the purpose of fostering close, supportive, long-term friendships among the members, supporting our community and having lots of fun.

The Brooklyn Group

The Brooklyn groups consists of women who attended school in Brooklyn, New York. The group gathers in different venues to share their experiences and reminisce about "Happy Days."

NEXTGEN Special Events

NEXTGEN Singles

NEXTGEN Couples Dinner

Meets monthly from November-April.

NEXTGEN Member Dinner

Meets monthly from November-April.

SUMMER BRANCHES

WCA members have such a wonderful life in Southwest Florida and form so many wonderful friendships that they want to "take WCA home. "Summer Branches" of  WCA have been created in several areas throughout North America to make that possible. Summer branches are for those who have a connection to the group. Such connection is not a specific geographical boundary but rather a past or current geographic connection to the area, along with the intention and commitment to partake in and/or host summer activities in the group's catchment area. If you are interested in participating in one of the branches, you must contact the liaison. She will send you a confirmation and let you know about any gatherings of the branch.

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Boston Metro North
Connecticut
DelVal (New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware)
Illinois
Michigan
New York CIty Metro/New Jersey
Washington, DC, Virginia, Maryland

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