Ritchie Volunteer Meetup

2nd Sunday of the Month from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm

• April 14

• May 12

• June 9

Join us on on the 2nd Sunday for our monthly Ritchie Volunteer Meetup, hosted at the Ritchie hall. We LOVE our volunteers, and we want to match your interests and skills with the right tasks and responsibilities.

Come hang out with your neighbours on Sunday afternoon, meet our Volunteer Director, and help your community with a simple - but important - task. Tasks change each week - See below for the schedule.

The snacks will be flowing, and we'll have some tunes to keep us inspired. First one here gets to make the playlist!

Kids are WELCOME! Let’s make this a regular family thing.

Bring your lunch and/or bring a snack to share!

Here is a general listing of some of the things we have done together in the past.

• Changing the Hall sign

• Putting up posters around the neighborhood

• Planning future events

• Cleaning, organizing, and maintaining things

• Preparing and delivering Ritchie Crew swag, welcome packages, and memberships

• Event planning

• Ritchie Swag inventory management

• Committee meetings

For more information on volunteering visit our Volunteer pages.

Bike Month Challenge

Hey Ritchie, you know what June is - the Community League Bike Month Challenge!!

Get your bikes tuned and your neighbors to join our STRAVA group over the next couple weeks so we are ready to roll!! We’ve got an undefeated title to defend!! Ritchie community members can join the fun by either logging kilometers as part of the Ritchie United STRAVA group or emailing their totals for the week to ritchie-united@ritchie-league.com after your last ride for the week on Sunday.

This inter-league challenge is simple, ride the most kilometres in the month of June! Ritchie founded the challenge in 2020 and it has been a fun way to promote active transportation and recreation in neighbourhoods across Edmonton ever since. The Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues took the helm last year and will be hosting the challenge again this year.

Ritchie has been the undefeated champion of the bike challenge since its origination in 2020.

More information at EFCL Bike Month Challenge

Tips and Tricks

Download the Strava App and Join Ritchie United

1) You can MANUALLY input activities into Strava even if you track your distance with a different device, just look for the plus sign [+].

• On mobile, this is found on the “Feed” screen.

• On a computer, go to the Strava website, set up or sign in to your Strava account and choose the “Training” dropdown menu. Select “Activities” and find the plus symbol [+] in the top right corner by your profile picture.)

2) For those without access to the Strava app: submit your total distance (in kilometres) by e-mail: Ritchie-united@ritchie-league.com.

3) If you take your family out for a ride, your children’s distance counts as well! So if your family of four takes a four-kilometre spin, you can report 16 km total!

Protect your bike

Bike theft is a problem. They are taken from fenced yards, locked garages and bike racks in front of stores and schools. But there are things you can do to DECREASE the chance a thief will target your bike…and, if does go missing, INCREASE your chance of getting it back.

More information on how to keep your bike safe.

RAD May Weekend

This is a two-day course that runs on a Saturday and Sunday, from 9am-4:30pm.

• May 18-19

• June 15-16

• More dates and registration here.

Who is delivering the courses?

RAD is an international non-profit organization that offers affordable and practical self-defence for women ages 12+. This course is for all abilities and available to those who have already taken RAD (free of charge).
The Edmonton chapter coordinators is collaborating with the Ritchie Community League and City of Edmonton to ensure an affordable and impactful course.

The RAD coordinators volunteer their time to screen and vet volunteer instructors. Volunteers are Edmonton Police Service civilian staff and officers and other front line emergency responders.

What to Expect

Saturday

• The first part of the course is to build understanding and awareness of personal safety and knowledge in what to look for.

Sunday

• The second part of the course is teaching skills, fit-to-participant that will get themselves out of a harmful situation.

• The skill building part of the course is tailored to the individual meaning there are multiple tools available and can accommodate most mobility issues.

• There is also an optional scenario part of the course where skills are practiced in meaningful practice. The scenarios teach women how to get passed the panic state of mind and into action.

• There are always female instructors in each course. Male volunteers in the scenarios wear a fully padded suit so you can unleash your full potential.

Ages and Requirements

• For ages 12-15 year olds, a participating guardian must also be enrolled in the course.

  (This is because of the content being introduced.)

• For ages 16-18 year olds, participation requires guardian approval but the guardian does not need to enroll

• Suitable for different ages and abilities

Cost: $41.50

Registration:

Sign up to get a notification when the registration is open. For Ritchie members, a minimal number of spots be reserved per month and then released a week prior to the course start date.

Visit RAD homepage for more information or email Jennalea.Dermott@edmontonpolice.ca.

HipHop sport

Half-day Camp

July 8-12, afternoons (1-4 p.m.)

Ages: 8-12 years old.

What makes this camp different…

A groundbreaking hiphop-based camp to enhance your sports skills! Includes footwork drills, directions and speed training, strength optimization and team work. Whether it’s for your soccer, basketball or skateboarding, dance skills can complement and make you better at the sports you love by focusing on areas that other training doesn’t address. Join us for a super fun camp with guests, lots of outdoor activity and dancing. Final day includes a dance party for all.

FEE:$195. Siblings rate $325

Early bird pricing: 10% off if you register before May 31; Ritchie member discount: 10%

For more details, contact Isabelle: irousseau.moveandbemoved@gmail.com

Ritchie Public Market

Tuesdays 3:30 - 8:00 pm

The Public Farmers Market operates from 3:30 to 7:30 pm every Tuesday until September 24.

The market will hosts fruit, local veggies, artisan handicrafts, meats, seafood, etc. Let's not forget the food trucks that will be there as well. We look forward to having you visit us often this summer.

The Ritchie Community League will also be hosting a table at the Market selling merch and memberships. SIGN UP to volunteer at the table.

Questions about the market or any vendors wishing to join, can call Patrick at 780-913-2586.

See you at the Market!

Volunteer at the Ritchie Community League booth.

Meet people, sell merch and memberships and have fun!

World of Fairies Ballet

Half-day Dance Camp

August 12-16, mornings (8:30-11:30 a.m.)

Ages 6-11 yrs. old

What makes this camp different?

Spend the week discovering or honing your ballet skills in a fun, creative setting with instructor Isabelle Rousseau as we also get familiar with the magical world of nature beings, the fairies! Children will learn and practice the basics of ballet while creating the set and costumes for our World of Fairies presentation at the end of camp. Guest musicians will accompany us on a few occasions to enhance our musicality. The camp includes outdoor activities around our theme.

FEE:$195. Siblings rate $325

Early bird pricing: 10% off if you register before May 31; Ritchie member discount: 10%

For more details, contact Isabelle: irousseau.moveandbemoved@gmail.com

Le French dance - en français!

Half-day Dance Camp

July 15-19, mornings (8:30-11:30 a.m.)

Ages: 6-12 years old.

What makes this camp different?

Keep up with your french skills this summer while you practice your dance moves to the uniquely francophone playlist immersing your child in world-wide francophonie! The camp includes many styles including jazz and hip hop, with a tinge of technique to hone their skillset.  Guests, food and dance presentation at the end of camp are included in this cross-cultural experience!

FEE:195$. Siblings rate 325$

Early bird pricing: 10% off if registered before May 31; Ritchie member discount: 10%

For more details, contact Isabelle: irousseau.moveandbemoved@gmail.com

Improv & Drama For Kids

Summer Drama and Improv Camp for kids is open for registration!

July 15-19 (full day camp, 9am - 4pm) Ages 8-12

For the kiddo who wants to do it all, we are launching this BRAND NEW camp in drama and improv. Students will spend one week playing with improv techniques and games, as well as principles of acting and scene study to emerge as well-rounded performers.

RCL members get the early bird rate at any point in registration, but are still encouraged to sign up early as spots fill up!

Camp final showcase at Ritchie is at the hall at 3:00.

No experience necessary!

NOTE: Not all Grindstone classes are held at the Ritchie Hall. Visit the Grindstone Class Schedule for a complete list and registration information.

For more details visit the Grindstone website: grindstonetheatre.ca/

Questions about our programming? Get in touch with Jules Pepin, Education Manager at jpepin@grindstonetheatre.ca. 

Improv For Teens

Summer Improv Camp for Teens is open for registration!

July 8-12 (full day camp, 9am - 4pm) Ages 13-17

Improv for Teens covers the fundamentals of improv and challenges students to create hilarious theatrical moments in game and scene-based exercises. One intensive week will culminate in a showcase performance where your audience suggestions will be the springboard for the students to show off their skills and embrace “Yes, AND”.

RCL members get the early bird rate at any point in registration, but are still encouraged to sign up early as spots fill up!

Camp final showcase at Ritchie is at the hall at 3:00.

No experience necessary!

NOTE: Not all Grindstone classes are held at the Ritchie Hall. Visit the Grindstone Class Schedule for a complete list and registration information.

For more details visit the Grindstone website: grindstonetheatre.ca/

Questions about our programming? Get in touch with Jules Pepin, Education Manager at jpepin@grindstonetheatre.ca. 

Drama For Teens

Summer Drama Camp for Teens is open for registration!

July 22-26 (full day camp, 9am - 4pm) Ages 12-15

This camp is for writers and performers alike! Work together as an ensemble to create your own show to be performed at the end of the week. Students will learn about different ways of playwriting, directing, and performance in the mornings, and focusing on creating their own original show in the afternoons. No experience required! This camp is about growth and learning.

RCL members get the early bird rate at any point in registration, but are still encouraged to sign up early as spots fill up!

Camp final showcase at Ritchie is at the hall at 3:00.

No experience necessary!

NOTE: Not all Grindstone classes are held at the Ritchie Hall. Visit the Grindstone Class Schedule for a complete list and registration information.

For more details visit the Grindstone website: grindstonetheatre.ca/

Questions about our programming? Get in touch with Jules Pepin, Education Manager at jpepin@grindstonetheatre.ca. 

Ballet with your neighbour

Thursdays 7:15 - 8:15 pm

Spring Session REGISTRATION OPEN for: April 25 to June 13 (8 classes)

Join our family-friendly Adult Beginner Ballet Class!

In this class you can learn the basics of ballet or get back into it for fitness, fun and artistry. And you can bring your kids 7- 16 years old to dance too!

Class will include a dynamic warm-up, some up-to-date progressive conditioning, barre and centre work and some accessible, satisfying choreography. While doing an out of the ordinary activity with your children and teens!

Class is also:

• inclusive

• respectful of your pace and body

• using imagery to improve your posture and alignment

Fee: (8 classes)

Registration fee: $135

Ritchie discount: 10% off for Ritchie members

Early bird discount: 10% off (Ritchie members get an additional 10% off!)

*Minimum participants required to run the program: 10 adults or 12 adults and children

Register before April 7th for the early bird pricing! Gift certificates are available and make a great Christmas gift!

For Questions email: irousseau.moveandbemoved@gmail.com