What a way to celebrate Canada Day 2026 at this year’s Race for the Ridge!

With a charming new location, fantastic weather, and many new faces, we enjoyed the usual fun activities, and of course, the delicious BBQ lunch! Thanks to our dedicated youth volunteers, the carnival games and face painting were a big hit with the children, while the volleyball court and soccer games were populated all day. The Walkathon was completed on a new circuit overlooking the new pier, while participants of all ages enjoyed cheering for and running the sprint races (including a mom and tot race), as well as jumping in on the many rounds of tug-of-war, potato sack and three-legged races, and the giant skip rope contest. See photos from the event below.

In spite of the event happening earlier in the summer than usual, we managed to raise $12,580 by the end of the day, and the total was $17,755 by the time of this publication.

You can still support a team or make a direct pledge through the Race’s Zeffy Page until July 31, 2026:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/peer-to-peer/race-for-the-ridge–2026-2

Every bit of help counts towards supporting the ongoing programs and facility maintenance at CRCC. A big THANK YOU to all who came out to join us, donated online, contributed as corporate sponsors, and volunteered at this year’s event. The day was filled with great energy thanks to everyone’s generosity!

Thank you to our 2026 All-Star Sponsors

Thank you to our 2026 Champion Sponsor

Thank you to our 2026 Sponsor

Some photos of the day

Momentum: Leadership Workshop for University Students – Building Bridges, the art of dialogue

This year’s Momentum Workshop – Building Bridges brought together 21 young women for a weekend dedicated to learning how to foster meaningful dialogue, strengthen relationships, and live out their faith with conviction and charity. Throughout the weekend, participants explored what it means to build bridges between individuals with different perspectives, recognizing that true dialogue requires both clarity in one’s own beliefs and a genuine willingness to listen to others. The theme challenged us to move beyond simply avoiding conflict and instead learn how to engage thoughtfully and respectfully with those around us.

A highlight of the workshop was our lineup of inspiring and amazing speakers. Our keynote speaker, Lauri Ann Fenlon, a BC judge, shared practical wisdom on how to approach conversations with people who hold opposing views. Drawing from both her professional and personal experiences, she emphasized the importance of listening well, seeking understanding before agreement, and maintaining respect even in disagreement. Our second speaker, Susana Christiansen, PhD (Philosophy), led a thought-provoking session on politics, morality, and faith, encouraging participants to reflect on where religious convictions intersect with public life and where the boundaries between the two should remain distinct. Later, Mia Jose taught hands-on skills focused on “building bridges at home,” demonstrating practical tasks such as changing a tire and basic household maintenance, reminding us that service and competence are also ways of caring for those around us.

This workshop was especially meaningful for me because it was my first time helping organize and lead an event of this scale. I was both surprised and encouraged by the enthusiasm and engagement of the participants. Whether during the keynote presentations, small-group discussions, workshops, or debates, the girls consistently contributed thoughtful questions and insights. Watching everyone actively participate reinforced the idea that building bridges is a skill that can be learned and practiced. By the end of the weekend, it was clear that we had all grown in our ability to communicate with clarity, listen with empathy, and approach difficult conversations with greater confidence and charity. These are skills that will continue to help us build stronger bridges in our families, friendships, communities, and future vocations.

Leonor Farinha, 1^st year BA at UBC

Join us on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 for the 9th Annual Race for the Ridge at Fraser Foreshore Park in Burnaby!

This year’s Race for the Ridge is a fun-filled Canada Day fundraiser for all ages, featuring relay races, walkathon activities, children’s games, face painting, food, and community celebration. All proceeds are in support of Copper Ridge Conference Centre.

We’re also inviting local businesses, families, and supporters to partner with us through event sponsorship opportunities. Sponsorship levels begin at just $50 and help make this special community event possible while providing meaningful recognition for participating sponsors.

Register Your Team

Learn more about the event, activities, and registration details:

2026 Race for the Ridge Event Page

Become a Sponsor

View sponsorship levels and submit your sponsorship online:

2026 Race Sponsorship Opportunities

Life After High School – My Career, My Choice

The first high school workshop of the year kicked off with a group of high-school students gathering at the Copper Ridge Conference Centre for a weekend focused on one big question: What comes after graduation? Set against a backdrop of mountains and overlooking the calm waters of Howe Sound, the retreat combined reflection, learning, and fun in a way that helped everyone think seriously about life beyond high school—whether that meant university, trades, or a completely different path.

The central theme of the workshop was exploring the many directions one can take after graduation. Through presentations and small group discussions, students learned about the realities, rewards, and challenges of each path. Speakers compared the flexibility and hands-on nature of trade careers with the academic opportunities and personal responsibility that come with university life. Conversations often came back to a key idea: choosing a direction isn’t just about academics or income, but about following one’s interests and sense of purpose.

Saturday began with an all too early wake-up call for morning meditation and confessions, followed by Mass. Though the schedule was packed, the atmosphere remained relaxed and open. Several guest speakers, each from different professional backgrounds, shared personal stories about how they discovered their vocations and learned to trust where God was leading them. Topics ranged from the value of a liberal arts education to the growing demand for skilled trades, and even the importance of developing real-life skills that can’t be measured by grades alone.

Between sessions, students had plenty of time to unwind—playing sports in the gym, going for quick walks, and chatting about anything and everything. The breaks helped balance the more serious moments of the workshop, giving everyone space to think and connect with others. And of course, no retreat would be complete without good food: the Copper Ridge staff prepared delicious meals that kept everyone energized throughout the weekend.

By the end of the workshop, students left with full stomachs, new friends, and a clearer sense of where they might be headed next. More importantly, they carried home a reminder that the journey after high school isn’t about rushing into a decision, it’s about discovering who you are and where you’re called to be.

This year’s Christmas Workshop at Copper Ridge was a joyful celebration of Service and Hope, inspired by the Year of Hope and Pope Leo’s Apostolic Exhortation Dilexit Te. The weekend brought together fifty-two high school girls, guided by university students and young professionals who generously dedicated their time to organize and lead the program. Their commitment ensured that every activity was not only meaningful but also deeply rooted in the spirit of giving and community.

Throughout the workshop, the girls participated in a variety of activities that combined creativity with service. They began by making Christmas cards and packages of candy, which were later distributed to homeless people and a women’s transition house in Vancouver.

The simple yet heartfelt gesture of writing messages of encouragement and hope, offered a direct expression of compassion to those in need. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and creativity as they also painted ornaments, crafting beautiful keepsakes that would remind them of their time together at Copper Ridge.

One of the most impactful moments of the weekend was the cooking and baking session, where the girls prepared one hundred meals to be shared with homeless people in Vancouver. Working side by side, they experienced the joy of serving others in a tangible way, embodying the workshop’s mission of hope through action. The talks on hope offered by the mentors provided further inspiration, encouraging the girls to carry these values into their everyday lives.

Beyond the activities, the workshop fostered a strong sense of community. The girls had the opportunity to meet new people, form friendships, and be guided by university students who mentored them throughout the weekend. This mentorship not only enriched the experience but also created a bridge between different stages of life, showing the younger participants how service and hope can continue to shape their future.

The Christmas Workshop was more than just a weekend gathering—it was a living example of how faith, creativity, and service can transform hearts. By coming together to give back to society, the girls left Copper Ridge with lasting memories, new friendships, and a deeper understanding of the power of hope.

Following testimony written by Miranda, a participant of the workshop: 

“This workshop at Copper Ridge was a really great opportunity to give back to the community through acts of service and prayer. It was a good reminder that we can always give back, no matter how small. Many people struggle, especially during the Christmas season, so it’s extremely important to do our part. This workshop was also a great way to prepare for God’s coming. I was reminded of the real purpose of Advent, not to throw parties and go shopping, but to pray and prepare myself for the coming of the Lord. Through meditations, Mass, and talks, I was able to pray to God as well as reflect on myself and the past year. Overall, this Christmas workshop was an unforgettable experience full of laughter, prayer and acts of service.”

Perfect for your kitchen or for gift giving!

Just in time for the holiday season. Help us raise funds to sustain future activities hosted at Copper Ridge Conference Centre. All proceeds of purchases will be donated to CRCC.

1 towel for $15
3 towels for $40

Additional discounts availble for large orders. Please contact the organizers for pricing.

Place your order by November 30 or send inquiries via email:

crccteatowels@gmail.com

If cost is a barrier, please reach out – we’d love to make sure you can still get one!

The 2025 Fundraising Benefit in support of Copper Ridge Conference Centre was held on Sunday, October 19 at the Riverside Grand Banquet Hall in Richmond. Thank you to everyone who attended, and to all the sponsors and donors who made the afternoon such a wonderful success. Together, we raised over $150,000!

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From Lecture Halls to Cathedral Walls: A Catholics Guide to University Life

This past September 12–14, Copper Ridge Conference Centre welcomed a group of university students for a weekend workshop about making the most of the university experience. The workshop was filled with learning, laughter, and spiritual growth.

Friday Evening – Arrival and Fellowship

Students arrived Friday evening and enjoyed abundant snacks wonderfully prepared by the staff: always great after a long drive! After settling into our rooms, we all gathered on the deck overlooking Howe Sound. Laughter and conversation flowed as old friends reconnected and new friendships began, setting a positive tone for the weekend.

Saturday Morning – Mass, Breakfast, and a Call to Study as Vocation

We began with meditation and Holy Mass, the anchor of the weekend, followed by a hearty breakfast. The workshop director opened the day by framing university life as a genuine vocation. He reminded us that the Catholic view of study is not mere credential-chasing; its participation in learning and discovering God’s truth. To study is to cooperate with grace, cultivating the intellect, a divine gift. It requires us to order our desires, and offer our best work to the Lord. Yes, degrees matter, but discipleship matters more. We were urged to detach from academic vanity and to love learning for its own sake, because truth, wherever it appears, belongs to God because God is truth. That set the tone: pursuing excellence, not for ourselves, but out of love and devotion for our Lord.

Optimal Work – Psychology at the Service of Virtue

Next, Dr. Johann D’Souza, a clinical psychologist, offered an overview of the Optimal Work philosophy and the psychology behind it. He showed how stress and discomfort can be reframed as invitations to growth. Avoidance shrinks us; challenge enlarges us. When we embrace discomfort, prudently and with purpose, we can enter a “flow” state where attention, effort, and joy align. Dr. D’Souza’s point landed with a distinctly Catholic resonance: grace builds on nature. Sound psychological habits such as mindfulness, reframing, and presence become powerful tools for living the virtues of diligence, fortitude, and temperance in our studies.

Faith, Reason, and the Whole Person

The next talk explored how faith illuminates both STEM and the arts, forming whole persons. Far from competing, faith and reason cooperate: faith purifies our motives and enlarges our wonder; reason disciplines our thought and strengthens our witness. The takeaway was simple and liberating: be unapologetically Catholic and unapologetically rigorous. Our fields don’t need more technicians, engineers, or analysts; they need Catholic technicians, engineers, and analysts.

Rosary, Practical Tools, and Fraternity in Action

After lunch we prayed the rosary and then heard from Mr. Anthony De Lazzari, who changed Dr. D’Souza’s ideas into concrete actions by inviting us to participate in The Optimal Work Challenge which involves: the heroic minute (get up when the alarm goes off), one golden hour of planned, focused study, daily exercise, and daily reading. Anyone interested could join a group so there’s fraternity and accountability. We’d get simple tools to track progress and mentors to guide us along the way. And there’s a fun twist: if you miss your targets for the week, you chip in to a pot that funds an end-of-year celebration. In other words, put some skin in the game and help your friends do the same.

Then came some time outside. The grounds needed attention, so we pitched in. It was good, hard, fun work with lots of laughs and conversation, all while being a nice break from notebooks and slides.We cleaned up for dinner and then returned to the chapel for adoration and benediction. That quiet hour allowed us to reflect on the lessons of the day and how to implement them. Afterward we lightened the mood with a beer-tasting session led by a certified beer judge. The selections won’t make the hall of fame, but it was fun learning how to “properly” judge a beer. A few of us ended the night with a friendly poker game while others watched sports and chatted.

Sunday: Reflection and Gratitude

Sunday began with a morning meditation and then Mass, celebrating the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross: that’s what we need to do, to place Christ at the summit of our studies. It tied together the weekend’s themes. After another tasty breakfast, a hike was on the schedule, but Vancouver did its Vancouver thing and soaked the plan. Instead, we enjoyed a quiet morning indoors. Some played cards, others read, and some took advantage to study and do some school work. In the end, we were all appreciating the chance to relax as the rain drummed on the windows bringing the workshop to a close.

We couldn’t have done it without you!!! With your awesome support, we surpassed our goal and raised over $26,000 !!!

A big THANK YOU to all who participated, donated and volunteered at this year’s Race for the Ridge! We had an amazing turn out, with many families coming out to have a great time. In addition to the Walkathon, participants enjoyed carnival games, running races, potato sack races, three-legged races, tug of war, face painting, snow cones and the delicious BBQ skewers!

Your generosity will help CRCC to continue to provide activities that will create a positive change in many people’s lives.

See you again next year!