Programs

TGCA Youth Programs

As a community association, our mission is to provide community amenities combined with an extensive array of programs and year-round events and activities to promote and support our members and others who come to share and use our facilities.

We are consistently building on our programs to suit the perceived needs of Thorncliffe Greenview, first and foremost, and beyond.

If you have a suggestion for a program or you’d like to lead a committee or group, please contact Vanessa, v.gillard@tgcacalgary.com.

See our partnered organizations and clubs, like McKnight Hockey, Scouts & Guides, and The Thorncliffe Greenview Ice Skating Club, & North Calgary Football Club on the partnered organisations and clubs page here.

TGCA Youth Programming

TGCA Playgroup - NEW!

PLAY | LEARN | GROW | BOND

Spring 2024 playgroup sessions announced! Registration for session 1 open Mar. 15 – Apr. 1, begins Apr. 3

When? Wednesdays, 9 am – 12 pm

Where? In the 5600 Room, see orange star on map at bottom of this page

Who? Playgroup is open to children 0 – 4 years and their parents/caregivers

Join neighbouring families every Wednesday in The 5600 Room at the TGCA for this socially focussed playgroup. Making connections in the neighbourhood -for parents/caregivers and children- can make our lives and our community better, so come and create some bonds that could last a lifetime!

The playgroup includes a loose schedule of playtime, story time and snack time, and coffee is provided for parents/caregivers.

This group is run by volunteers and all participants are asked to pitch in with cleanup and other minor duties.

 

Pricing and registration

Families may register in 4-week sessions per child. This program does not have drop-in pricing and registration will not be prorated for dates that your family can’t make it to particular dates. If registration closing date is missed online, families may still register in the office for the current session.

Please register on this page with Visa, Visa Debit or Mastercard for the upcoming session, or in the TGCA office with debit, Visa, Mastercard or cash. See office hours here. When you have successfully registered, you will receive a confirmation email. 

Pricing per 4-week session: $8 per session for TGCA members and $12 per date for non-members.

If you are a TGCA member, make sure you’re logged in before you register. Learn more about your account and how to log in here. 

Membership with the TGCA is only $15 per year or $30 for 3 years for residents of Thorncliffe/Greenview. There’s a number of membership perks -beside supporting community building-see them here. Become and member of the TGCA here.

Fee assistance available through the TGCA fee assistance initiative, info here. Please email TGCA programming and community engagement coordinator, Vanessa, for more information, v.gillard@tgcacalgary.com

4-week Spring sessions:

Session 1: April 3 – 24 | registration open Mar. 15 – Apr. 1

Session 2: May 1 – 22 | registration open April 12 – 29

Session 3: May 29 – June 12 | registration open May 10 – 27

 

Playgroup schedule

8:45 am – playgroup setup 

9 am – 12 pm: play time, circle time and snack time

12 pm – playgroup teardown and cleanup, all playgroup caregivers/parents are required to help

Here’s what playgroup setup/cleanup will look like:

Setup, 8:45 am – Retrieve keys from the office. Playgroup setup is opening doors, turn on lights, getting the toys and equipment out and arranging in the 5600 Room. Coffee to be made in the adjoining kitchenette.

Teardown, 12 pm – Gather up toys, wipe any that are dirty and put away, wipe down the large equipment – slide/play kitchen. Clean up kitchen and coffee maker. Stack chairs and close/lock the roll cage by turning key just before the door gets to the floor. Turn off lights, lock 5600 Room door, storage doors. Return keys to office.

Snacks: There are no snacks provided for snack time, so please bring a snack for your child for each playgroup date if needed. Please avoid bringing snacks that contain nuts (peanuts and tree nuts). There is a fridge on the premises for any snacks that need to be refrigerated. Hot water is available to warm bottles and food.

Accessibility: the 5600 Room is in the mid-section of the TGCA building with the entrance on the east side through the Old Lobby only. There is stroller access and playgroup members may bring their strollers into the Old Lobby and park them by the door to the 5600 Room. Please see orange star on the map at the bottom of this page for more info.

Donations: This playgroup is run primarily by volunteers with donated space and supplies. If you would like to donate, please connect with the Vanessa at the contact info below.

Playgroup volunteer requirements: The TGCA Playgroup is run by volunteers in cooperation with the TGCA. All playgroup participants are required to volunteer as either playgroup committee members or other supporting roles in the program. More to come on this aspect of the program. 

Playgroup concerns? If you have any questions or concerns about the playgroup, please reach out to the playgroup leaders at playgroup or email TGCA programming and community engagement coordinator, Vanessa, for more information, v.gillard@tgcacalgary.com

TGCA Gym Night

Registration for session 1 now closed, session 2 opens Mar. 22

Spring session update: the Spring 2024 Session of Gym Night is 9 dates from Apr. 3 – June 19, registration opens Mar. 22

We’ve got lots of equipment to play with, tons of space in the gym and plenty of kids typically come too! This weekly program is a great opportunity for the kids to blow off some steam in a supervised environment, giving parents an opportunity to use our facilities, do an errand, enjoy our wing night in The 56 or just take some much deserved you-time.

Balls, tumbling matts, nets for basketball and soccer, racquets, fun kids’ games, and much more are available for use. You’re welcome to bring your own toys and equipment, however, no floor hockey, scooters, skateboards or roller blades, please.

 

Rules & Guidelines at Gym Night

Open Gym Night is a registered program and open to TGCA members only. All children attending must be registered. Registration is online for each child 4 – 15 years of age. 

  1. Children under 5 years of age and under are required to be accompanied by their parents. No exceptions. Parents not following this rule will be contacted and all registered children will be barred from Gym Night. 
  2. During drop off, parents are to wait for Gym Night supervisors before leaving their children (Vicky is always wearing something very visible – such as carrying a teddy backpack) for sign in. Do not leave before you have checked your children in with Gym Night supervisors or your children will not be permitted to participate in Gym Night.
  3. Doors closed at 7:20 pm. All children must be checked in by that time or they will not be allowed entry on that Gym Night.
  4. Children must bring their own water bottles (label the bottle, please).
  5. No one is allowed to enter the back room or the loading dock area. Please ask a Gym Night supervisor for help if you need something.
  6. Participants aren’t allowed to change or remove any setup that is currently available in the gym.
  7. Bathrooms are NOT A PLAYGROUND. Please explain this to your children.

 

Dates, time and fees

Winter 2024 Session registration opens Dec. 15

Time: 7 – 8 pm, Wednesday nights in the TGCA Main Hall gym. Clean up 8 – 8:15 pm.

Dates: Winter 2024 session: Jan. 10 – Feb. 28  | 8 dates 

Fees: $20+tax ($2.50 per night). Fees will not be prorated based on when your child can and can’t attend.

 
March break | March 6 – 27
 
Spring 2024 Session registration opens Mar. 22

Time: 7 – 8 pm, Wednesday nights in the TGCA Main Hall gym. Clean up 8 – 8:15 pm.

Dates: Spring 2024 session: Apr. 3 – June 19  | 9 dates 

Fees: $22.5+tax ($2.50 per night). Fees will not be prorated based on when your child can and can’t attend.

 

Register

To register, make sure you’re logged into your membership account, click on the registration link above and register each child in your family who will be attending-including their name and age.

Registration will not be prorated if your child missed dates or can’t attend.

Ages 4 – 15 welcome. Our Gym Night supervisors will divide the groups for various age-appropriate activities, if registration numbers are high. 

The TGCA takes Visa and Mastercard for online payments. Members may also pay fees in the office with cash, debit or credit, Mon-Fri 9 am – 4:30 pm.

 

Supervision

Children 5 years old and under are required to have a parent or guardian present at Gym Night. Our volunteer supervisors are dedicated childcare professionals, so your children are in good hands. Of course, parents are always welcome to stay and play!

Please sanitize your child’s hands and check in with gym night supervisors upon arrival. All registered participants will appear on the list and be admitted. Those who do not appear on the list, will need to get registered and will not be admitted. 

 

Behavior and pickup

Children are to behave appropriately. Parents will be called and asked to pick up their child if there are any incidents of bullying or aggression. You may be asked to remain at Gym Night to supervise your child if there are multiple incidents.

All children are to be picked up at 8:15 pm sharp. Please encourage your child to help clean up the gym at 8 pm. TGCA volunteer supervisors really appreciate help from kids and parents. 

 

Cancelation

Program cancellation due to COVID regulations: the TGCA follows all restrictions recommended by both the civic and the provincial governments. If new regulations are announced that force the cancelation of Open Gym Night, and the amount of time remaining in the program warrants it, the TGCA will issue refunds for the remaining dates of the program.  

Kids and Youth Art Classes

Winter/Spring 2024 kids and youth art classes announced! Registration for Drawing Sci-fi Characters now closed

The community association is pleased to offer art classes for kids and youth for Winter/Spring 2024. Our classes are for ages 5 – 15, Sundays, beginning January 14. 

The instructor, Karen Pennifold (see bio below), will lead classes through age and skill appropriate art concepts and methods and use contemporary and historic examples in her lessons to bring context and weight to how art effects our lives. Younger and older kids can expect a fun and engaging class where they’re encouraged to discover their individual talents and explore their imaginations.

 

Class structure

TGCA kids and youth art classes are branched out into age categories. While each class is the same topic and medium, our instructor, Karen, tailors the lessons to each group and age range.

Age category and class times: ages 5 – 8, 1:30 – 2:30; ages 9 – 12, 3 – 4 pm; ages 13 – 15, 4:30 – 5:30 pm.

Please note, class times are changing to the following beginning with Botanicals in Pastel: Age category and class times: ages 5 – 8, 12:30 – 1:30 pm | ages 9 – 12, 1:45 – 2:45 pm | ages 13 – 3 – 4 pm.

No classes: Feb. 18, Mar. 31, May 12 & 19

 

Fees & Registration

Classes are 5 dates/1 hour each, and $50 for TGCA members, $75 for non-members. Become a TGCA member here. Learn more about our membership here.

Registration dates are listed with the class descriptions below. Classes are maximum 8 students and registration will close when a class has filled. When registration is open, you can click on the class with age range under the class title to purchase with Visa, Visa debit or Mastercard. 

 

Location

All classes are in The Horizon Room in the mid-section of the facility. See the orange star on the map at the bottom of this page.

 

Materials

The materials required for class are to be provided by students. See Winter/Spring 2024 materials list here.

 

Additional program details

All kids and youth program instructors and volunteers hired or placed by the TGCA have valid Calgary Police vulnerable sector searches on file with the community association.

The TGCA abides by all civic and provincial health and pandemic restrictions. Currently there are no restrictions in place, however, should there be announcements of restrictions, students will be expected to abide by these mandates. Refunds will be provided only in the case of a mandated closure of the TGCA and refunds will be prorated for the remaining duration of dates in the classes.

If you have any questions, please contact Vanessa, TGCA programming and community engagement coordinator, v.gillard@tgcacalgary.com

Your TGCA Youth Art Instructor: Karen Pennifold

Karen has been creating children and youth art programming for over 15 years and has experience with children and youth of all ages as well as art classes in a variety of mediums. Karen is a self-taught artist and her artwork depicts Canadian landscapes, wildlife, Canadian Indigenous Culture and her work has been greatly influenced by The Group Of Seven.

Choose from 4 classes for 3 age ranges from January - June 2024

Drawing Animals of Africa

Sundays, January 14 – Feb 11: 5 dates, $50 for members, $75 for non-members | Registration now closed

Age category and class times: ages 5 – 8, 1:30 – 2:30 pm; ages 9 – 15, 3 – 4 pm.

 

Class description

Medium – pencil/coloured pencil

TGCA kids and youth art classes are tailored to the age group per class. Please register your child/teen according to age.

Students will explore drawing African animals; using step-by-step drawing techniques to make their realistic animals, students may also choose to zentangle their animals for a different effect.

Drawing Sci-fi Characters

Sundays, Feb 25-Mar 24: 5 dates, $50 for members, $75 for non-members | Registration now closed

Age category and class times:

  • ages 5 – 8, 1:30 – 2:30;
  • class cancelled – ages 9 – 12, 3 – 4 pm;
  • class cancelled – ages 13 – 15, 4:30 – 5:30 pm

Class description

Medium – pencil/coloured pencil

TGCA kids and youth art classes are tailored to the age group per class.

Students will be challenged to recreate famous characters from popular sci-fi movies; learning step-by-step drawing techniques and will get a chance to make their own animated flip book.

Botanicals in Pastel

Sundays, April 7- May 5: 5 dates, $50 for members, $75 for non-members | Registration open Mar. 15  – Apr. 4 or class full

PLEASE NOTE slight class time changes from previous classes: Age category and class times: ages 5 – 8, 12:30 – 1:30 | ages 9 – 12, 1:45 – 2:45 pm | ages 13 – 15, 3 – 4 pm.

 

Class description

Medium – chalk pastel

TGCA kids and youth art classes are tailored to the age group per class.

Students will use chalk pastels to create botanicals and tree artwork, working on blending techniques. Students will also study American artist, Georgia O’Keefe.

To register click on class below:

Landscape in Watercolour

May 26- June 23: 5 dates, $50 for members, $75 for non-members | Registration open May 10 – May 23 or class full

Age category and class times: ages 5 – 8, 12:30 – 1:30 pm | ages 9 – 12, 1:45 – 2:45 pm | ages 13 – 3 – 4 pm

 

Class description

Medium – watercolour paints

TGCA kids and youth art classes are tailored to the age group per class.

Students will learn watercolour techniques to create landscapes. During this session, students will study Canadian Artists Lawren Harris and Emily Carr from the Group of Seven; depicting Canadian Landscapes.