Catch A Smile is a volunteer-run charity offering free sightseeing and fishing trips on adapted pontoon boats along the Rideau river and canal to groups of people with special needs. We operate from the first week in June to the last week in August. Since 1996 we have welcomed thousands of groups from the Ottawa region: youth, many from disadvantaged families, seniors living in long-term care, people with mobility issues, as well as new immigrants and survivors of gender-based violence.

Our free excursions on Dows Lake and the Rideau River in Manotick introduce our guests to the natural beauty of the area where they experience the therapeutic effects of nature in a setting they would not otherwise be able to access.

Everyone "Catches a Smile" while checking out the marshes for turtles, herons and other wildlife or singing songs or playing "I spy" while on the water. Our three wheelchair-accessible pontoon boats can accommodate up to 1,800 people each summer.

Independent evaluation has shown that our guests are overwhelmingly thrilled with the time they spend on the water with us!