Square dance calls are standardized and are called in English around the world. Once dancers have learned the calls, they can dance at any club or square dance event anywhere. There are no competitions. Square dancing is recreational and done strictly for the fun of it. There are various programs within the square dance activity, each program encompassing an increasing number of calls.
Dancers move at their own pace through the programs.
They may decide to dance a certain program for an extended period of time, or they may decide to move on to the next program, learning additional calls. The basic unit is the local club. Clubs may have anywhere from eight to several hundred members. However, the average club has 50 to a 100 members. The Federations in turn are part of the Canadian Square and Round Dance Society.