About Columbia College
Established in 1936, Columbia College proudly serves as one of Canada’s longest established international not-for-profit colleges. Funds raised in the Ride for Refuge will be targeted towards our Student Refugee Program. Our Vision is an inclusive society where students can access the education of their choice. The Ride for Refuge will enable us to support youth who are displaced or fleeing conflict regions to relaunch their educational journey.
Responding to the wave of Syrian Refugees arriving in Canada in 2016, Columbia College introduced Bursaries under our Student Refugee Program to help remove financial barriers to students with Refugee Backgrounds. Students in this program currently come from various conflict regions like Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Iran, Burundi, Myanmar, Ethiopia, and have carved a new path to leading Universities in Canada. They have achieved monumental success in re-launching their educational journey.
Unfortunately, forced displacement is still one of the most powerful trends impacting youth around the globe. In 2019 there were over 79 million people worldwide who were forcibly displaced. Access to education remains as one of the main barriers refugee youth experience over their lifetime.
In this environment, building on our success, the College has committed to expanding supports available for youth and aspiring students who have been forcibly displaced. With your support we can equip more youth from around the world to restart their education and begin a pathway to becoming successful leaders in the workforce of tomorrow.
Event Day Details
Save the date - RIDE Day is October 5, 2024!
Sen̓áḵw (Vanier Park),
1600-1606 Whyte Ave,
Vancouver, BC V6J 3J9
Schedule
- 3:00 pm: Meet Check-in + Welcome
- 5:00 pm: Munch Light meal served
- 6:00 pm: Mosey Thank You! See you in 2025!
Not able to join us at the Main Event? We hope you'll register, fundraise and participate offsite with friends and family.
Route Details
- Route Distances: We have great routes where you can walk 2.5 or 5 km or bike 10 or 20 km.
- Rest Stops: The rest stop will have yummy snacks and drinks.
- Signage: Routes will be well-signed with our bold orange RIDE signs.
- Route Support: Route marshals, rest stop hosts, and support vehicle drivers will provide support along the route.
- Children 12 and Under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
- No Pets: We love our little furballs like you do, but pets are not permitted at Ride for Refuge except for approved and trained service animals. Read more about our pet policy >
Check-in
- All participants check-in personally at the event on Saturday, October 5, 2024.
- T-shirts! Fundraising participants who raise $150+ (or $75+ for those under 18) will receive a RIDE shirt as a thank you on Event Day, while supplies last.
- There is no registration fee to participate in the Ride for Refuge, but most participants raise $250-300 or more in support of their charity.
Have questions? Visit the FAQ section!
Waivers
- Adults accept the waiver automatically when they register online.
- Youth/Children: under 18 need a waiver signed by their parent or guardian.
- An online waiver form will be emailed to all parents/guardians before RIDE Day.
- Waivers will be available at check-in on RIDE Day.
What to Bring
A few common sense suggestions:
- A cell phone for emergencies (recommended but not required)
- Your bike and helmet or walking shoes
- Extra snacks if you have allergies or food sensitivities
- Warm layers with moisture-repelling clothing. Late September weather can be cool, with rain and wind. The weather might also be gorgeous and sunny. So be sure to keep your eye on the forecast.
- A passion for the charity you're walking and fundraising for!
Handling Money
- Credit Card: The Best Option! Simple, secure, automatically tax receipted for gifts of $20+. Visit the Donate page, share your personal page link, or have your donor call the RIDE Head Office.
- Cheques: The Old Faithful - made out to Ride for Refuge with your name on the Memo line. Mail them to RIDE Head Office along with your completed pledge form.
- Cash: You have 2 options:
- 1. Login to FundHub, click “Enter $$ and Cheques,” create pledges for your cash donations, pay them off with your personal credit card, and keep the cash. OR...
- 2. Write a cheque (made out to “Ride for Refuge”) for the total amount of cash you’ve collected. Mail it to the RIDE Head Office with your completed pledge sheet.
2023 RIDE Photos
Here's a collection of our favourite RIDE photos nationwide - special thanks to the many stellar photographers who sent them in!