The Waupoos Foundation was created in 1975 by Fr. Fred Magee of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Fr. Magee and a team of volunteers transformed the Oblate family farm on Waupoos Island (near Picton, Ontario) into a vacation place for low-income families. The name Waupoos is an Ojibway word for rabbit, and was given to the island because of its rabbit-like shape.
In 1980, it was determined that a location closer to Ottawa would be more accessible to families. The island facilities were closed and work began on the Oblate farm on Rideau Road. In 1982, Waupoos Family Farm opened at its current location.
The Waupoos Foundation is run by a volunteer Board of Directors in collaboration with the Farm Management Team. The Farm Management Team is comprised of three families who reside at the farm full-time for a term of 3 years.
Since the foundation of Waupoos Family Farm, over 8000 families have vacationed with us and over 35,000 people have used our facilities.