Antler River Watershed Regional Council

From the Shire to Stratford - A Youth Overnight Quest
2026-09-12 - 2026-09-13 | Avondale United Church, 194 Avondale Avenue, Stratford, Ontario, N5A6N4, Canada
From the Shire to Stratford – A Youth Overnight Quest
Dates: Saturday, September 12, 2026 (10:00 AM) – Sunday, September 13, 2026 (2:00 PM)
Location: Avondale United Church, Stratford

Step into the world of adventure, friendship, and discovery! From the Shire to Stratford is a unique overnight youth experience inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, featuring a live theatre performance at the renowned Avon Theatre alongside a variety of engaging and memorable activities.

Event Highlights
Participants will enjoy:

A professionally staged performance of The Hobbit
Boating on the Avon River (paddleboat or canoe)
Creative stained glass activity
Group games and faith discussions
All meals provided
Exploring downtown Stratford

About The Hobbit

Follow Bilbo Baggins, a quiet hobbit who is unexpectedly drawn into a daring quest across Middle-earth. Alongside a band of dwarves, he journeys to reclaim their homeland from a fearsome dragon. Encountering trolls, goblins, and a mysterious magic ring, Bilbo discovers courage he never knew he possessed. He proves that even the smallest person can play a vital role in a great adventure.

Themes We’ll Explore

Adventure & Courage
Friendship, Fellowship & Unity
Identity & Self-Discovery
Leadership & Responsibility
Home, Belonging & Purpose
Teamwork & Cooperation
The Hero’s Journey
And much more!

*Participants may benefit from reading the book or watching the film in advance.
Registration Details Are you a Youth (Grades 7+) or accompanying Youth Leader from WOW, ARW, or HF Region? Register today!

Step 1: Submit online registration form (one for each participant – youth and adults)
Step 2: Pay fee of $35 per participant (includes all meals, boating, and activities)
Step 3: Complete the boating waiver that will be emailed at a later date
The theatre ticket is generously covered by a grant from the Western Ontario Waterways Region of the United Church of Canada.
E-transfer Instructions
Send e-transfer to avondaleuc@wightman.ca
You will be asked to enter a security question and answer. Please set up as follows:
Question- What city is this event being hosted
Answer- Stratford
Enter in message section: youth event registration for (insert participant name)
Transportation
Transportation to and from the event must be arranged by each participant’s youth group or accompanying adult.
Join us for an unforgettable journey of imagination, community, and faith-filled adventure—where every participant has a chance to discover the hero within!
