Society of Ontario Freethinkers
Founded in Guelph, Ontario in 1992, the Society of Ontario Freethinkers (SOFREE) is a dynamic secular fellowship of non-believers, including humanists, atheists, agnostics, rationalists and skeptics.
We run a social network for members, an annual humanist summer camp for children called Camp Quest Ontario (the first of its kind in Canada), a video production service called Freethought TV (produces and broadcasts video footage to promote freethought, social justice, critical thinking, and humanist culture) and collaborate with Keltoi Publishing on Canadian Freethinker magazine.
From 1992 to 2004, the Society of Ontario Freethinkers was known as the Kitchener Waterloo Cambridge Guelph Humanists (KWCG Humanists). What a mouthful! As our membership grew beyond the Kitchener Waterloo Cambridge Guelph borders and as members did not want to be limited by the label Humanist, we conducted a public online poll in early 2005 to determine which term people preferred: atheist, agnostic, humanist, or freethinker. The term Freethinker was the overwhelming choice among hundreds of respondents. Hence, in early 2006, the Society of Ontario Freethinkers was born.
Camp Quest Ontario
Our first major initiative was starting a much-needed summer camp for young freethinkers: Camp Quest Ontario. Our first camp, launched in 2004, was in Lake of Bays, Ontario. Although run and managed by members of the Society of Ontario Freethinkers, it was owned by Humanist Canada. In 2005, we decided to pursue our own camp and independently launched Camp Quest Ontario in 2006. We received 11 campers that year, 14 in 2007 and 20 in 2008. The camp is for children and youth aged 7 - 16 (with Leader-in-Training programs for youth aged 16 and up) who come from humanist, atheist and agnostic family backgrounds. Humanist Canada has been very supportive of our efforts and bestowed us with a generous grant in late 2008 to further enhance our programs. Thank you fellow Canadian Humanists!
Freethought TV
Our next initiative was launching Canada's first multimedia service for humanists, atheists, agnostics, and other freethinkers: Freethought TV This premiere service promotes freethought, social justice, critical thinking, and Humanist culture. Our services include event videography, DVD production, and web-streaming. Our team of acclaimed producers and directors use broadcast-quality equipment for professional results. And, once again, Humanist Canada gave us a generous grant. Thank you again! For more information on Freethought TV, go to: www.Freethought.TV
Canadian Freethinker magazine
Following the success of these two humanist initiatives, SOFREE started a collaboration with Keltoi Publishing this past autumn to produce a unique magazine for non-believers: Canadian Freethinker. Canadian Freethinker is a volunteer-driven, quarterly magazine that promotes freethought, secularism, and humanist culture. We discuss issues affecting our civil and human rights, promote events and projects for the freethought community, and advance the efforts of humanist youth. Submissions are welcome from everyone. For more information, go to: www.CanadianFreethinker.com
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The Society of Ontario Freethinkers welcomes feedback from our members. Feel free to contact us at any time about any of our programs.
Donations
The Society of Ontario Freethinkers is pleased to announce that online donations are now available through Canada Helps. Just click on the button below and choose the SOFREE program to which you wish to donate from the drop-down menu.
Thank you very much for your generous donation!
Lifetime Family Memberships in SOFREE are available for donations of $700 or more.
Kathy Meidell
President, Society of Ontario Freethinkers
ontariofreethinkers@yahoo.ca