Home to the Grove: Alumni Return to Lakefield for a Weekend of Connection and Tradition

From decades-old friendships to new memories made on the waterfront, Home to the Grove Alumni Weekend brought alumni from across generations back to Lakefield College School from May 22–24.

The weekend was a celebration of the lasting connections that begin at LCS and continue long after graduation, with alumni returning to campus and gathering throughout the Peterborough area to reconnect with classmates, former faculty, and the school community.

The weekend began on Friday with the 50+ Reunion, welcoming alumni from the Class of 1976 and earlier for a day of reflection, conversation, and shared memories. The gathering included a special reception with Head of School and Foundation Anne-Marie Kee P ’17 ’19, a commemorative Chapel service, and lunch on campus. Alumni also had an exclusive preview of LCS’s first-ever documentary, offering a look back through stories and images from the school archives.

Friday evening brought alumni together at the Canadian Canoe Museum for a special Alumni Social, where graduates from across the decades reconnected with old friends and favourite faculty. The evening also marked a special milestone for the Class of 2001, who gathered to celebrate their 25th Reunion.

On Saturday, alumni returned to campus for Regatta Day, joining students, families, faculty, staff, and friends for one of LCS’s most cherished traditions. Despite cool temperatures and steady rain, the waterfront remained full of energy as the annual canoe races got underway. Alumni took part in the day’s activities alongside the broader community, including the Arts & Archives showcase, lawn games, live music, the Grade 11 Green Industries seedling sale, traditional strawberry tea, and the opening of the Bouchard Family Thriving for Life Centre.

That evening, alumni gathered once again—this time in McEwen Gym—for the All Alumni Dinner. Over dinner and conversation, the space was filled with laughter, familiar faces, and stories from years gone by, creating another opportunity to celebrate the shared experience of being part of the LCS community.

The weekend concluded Sunday with an Alumni Paddle on Lake Katchewanooka, bringing alumni back to the water that has been such an important part of the LCS experience for generations.

Across three days, Home to the Grove offered countless opportunities to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate the traditions that unite generations of LCS alumni. Whether returning after five years or fifty, the weekend was a reminder that the friendships, experiences, and sense of belonging formed at Lakefield continue to endure long after graduation.

Once part of Lakefield, always part of the community.