Our Story: Order of the Bear in Rockwood
Order of the Bear began with a few neighbours, a table full of games, and a simple idea: people need places to gather.
What started as a small group of friends and neighbours playing board games once a month quickly grew into something bigger. More people heard about the group, more players wanted to join, and before long, game nights were happening more often than the space could comfortably handle.
The goal was never just to create a private game group. The goal was to build a welcoming local community where people could meet, play, learn, laugh, and feel like they belonged.
Today, Order of the Bear is a volunteer-run not-for-profit community organization based in Rockwood, Ontario. We bring people together through board games, card games, role-playing games, creative hobbies, special events, volunteerism, and local community giving.
Finding a Home for the Club
As the group continued to grow, it became clear that Rockwood and the surrounding area could benefit from a dedicated community space for tabletop games, role-playing games, creative hobbies, and social connection.
After exploring different ideas, Order of the Bear connected with local community partners and brought the idea of a community game club forward to Guelph/Eramosa Township Council and staff.
The idea was warmly received, and Order of the Bear was given the opportunity to create a home at Rockmosa. That space became The Bear’s Den: a welcoming place for local players, families, hobbyists, students, adults, and volunteers to gather around the table.
More Than a Game Club
Games are what bring people through the door, but community is what keeps them coming back.
Order of the Bear creates affordable and welcoming opportunities for people to connect through board games, card games, role-playing games, hobby activities, workshops, and community events.
We welcome new players, experienced gamers, families, youth, adults, hobbyists, volunteers, and anyone who is curious about finding a friendly local place to belong.
What We Do
Order of the Bear supports a growing range of community-focused activities, including:
Game Nights
Weekly open game nights with board games, card games, and tabletop games for new and returning players.
Role-Playing Games
Story-driven tabletop role-playing games, including games like Dungeons & Dragons and other RPG systems.
Beginner-Friendly Events
Programs like GameStars help new players learn popular games in a welcoming, low-pressure setting.
Community Giving
Food pantry support, donated game giveaways, volunteer opportunities, and local community activities.
Our activities may include:
- Weekly open game nights
- Board games and card games
- Role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons
- Beginner-friendly gaming opportunities
- GameStars programming
- Special events and organized play
- Creative hobby and model-building activities
- Volunteer-led community programming
- Food pantry support and local giving initiatives
Giving Back Locally
Order of the Bear believes community spaces should also support the community around them.
We regularly support the Lions Pantry through donations collected from members, participants, and community events. When people gather around games, we also have the opportunity to gather support for local families and neighbours.
We also accept donated games throughout the year. Some games may become part of the club library, while others may be shared back with the community through giveaway tables when enough donations are available.
Looking Ahead
As Order of the Bear grows, we are exploring new ways to support creativity, learning, and hands-on community programming.
One future project is the Order of the Bear Creator Studio, currently in the needs assessment stage. The vision is to develop a community hobby, fabrication, and workshop space where local residents could learn skills such as 3D printing, miniature painting, model building, terrain making, board game prototyping, game design, product design, and creative workshop participation.
This future space will depend on community interest, volunteer support, partnerships, grants, sponsorships, donations, and careful planning.
Our Mission
Order of the Bear exists to create accessible, affordable, and welcoming community spaces where people can connect through games, creativity, skill-building, and shared hobbies.
We are proud to serve Rockwood, Guelph/Eramosa, Guelph, Acton, Erin, Fergus, Elora, and nearby communities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Order of the Bear
What is Order of the Bear?
Order of the Bear is a volunteer-run not-for-profit tabletop gaming club and community organization based in Rockwood, Ontario.
Where does Order of the Bear meet?
Order of the Bear meets at The Bear’s Den at Rockmosa Community Centre in Rockwood, Ontario.
What kind of activities does Order of the Bear offer?
Order of the Bear offers board game nights, card games, role-playing games, beginner-friendly events, GameStars programming, special events, creative hobby activities, volunteer opportunities, and community giving initiatives.
Is Order of the Bear welcoming to new players?
Yes. Order of the Bear welcomes new players, experienced gamers, families, students, adults, hobbyists, volunteers, and curious first-time visitors.
What communities does Order of the Bear serve?
Order of the Bear primarily serves Rockwood and Guelph/Eramosa, while also welcoming people from nearby communities such as Guelph, Acton, Erin, Fergus, Elora, and the surrounding area.
Come Join Us
If you are looking for a local place to play games, meet people, volunteer, teach, learn, or support community programming, there is a seat at the table for you.