Robinson Outreach at RiverCross Ranch strives to relieve the conditions associated with youth and elderly in need, by providing Equine Assisted Learning and related therapies.
ROARR’s Pancake Breakfast and Carnival
Date: July 03
Time: 11am-3pm
Pancake Breakfast and Carnival on July 03 from 11am-3pm. Pancake Breakfast - By Donation Carnival Style Games and Activities with purchase of a punch pass ticket.
Punch Pass Tickets: $20ea or 5 for $90
Purchase Online By June 24: $17ea or 5 for $75
Come and kick off your Summer with us! ROARR will be hosting our pancake breakfast along with fun carnival style games and activities - Fun for the whole family! Mini-golf, western style obstacle course, toddler farm course a cake walk and more!
Pre-purchase your punch passes early at a discounted rate before June 24 by clicking the link below:
This event is supported by Birdies for Kids Presented by Altalink. Birdies for Kids will match punch pass ticket purchases and donations made at this event by up to 50%! Please see more information about Birdies for Kids below.
Birdies For Kids
Shaw Birdies for Kids presented by Altalink will match up to 50% of all Donations to ROARR.
We are excited to be a participating charity in Shaw Birdies for Kids presented by Altalink. We receive 100% of donations to ROARR, which will go directly to supporting at-risk youth in the Calgary and Surrounding areas! This opportunity also allows monetary donations to be matched up to 50%, so your donation goes even further!
If you would like to multiply your impact and support for ROARR please visit:
The Robinson family has deep roots in the Springbank community and take pride in their generous contributions to this area for many decades. This long-time ranching family is now fulfilling a dream that will allow others to share in the beauty of their Springbank ranch. The ROARR foundation is doing exactly that – sharing the family’s blessings with others that are not as fortunate. ROARR's headquarters are located at RiverCross Ranch, on the Robinson’s Val Vista Ranch property just west of the Springbank High School.
Meet The Team
Janet joined the Roarr team as Executive Director in February of 2020. She brings years of experience working with seniors, children, and youth in the public sector. She has extensively worked with Indigenous Relations, and Refugee families. Janet looks forward to bringing her commitment to building stronger communities and empowering those in need with her knowledge and experience, as it relates to Roarr’s programming.
Volunteers are the heart of Roarr! They help out with everything including, cleaning horse pens, trailering horses to home care visits, serving lunches to seniors, assisting our facilitators, and mentorship programs for our clients. Roarr’s programs would not happen without the hard work, commitment, and passion of each volunteer.
Marilyn is a Cochrane resident since 1998, she is married and has two kids. Marilyn is a certified facilitator of Facilitated Equine Experiential Learning (FEEL) and Equine Assisted Learning(EAL) and she feels very fortunate to be able to take her passion for helping people, especially youth, and love of horses and combine the two in a very rewarding career as an equine guided wellness coach. Both FEEL and EAL partner with the horses in a unique way that allows the learning to be both experiential and educational. Marilyn has always been passionate about helping people and working with horses. Being able to combine the two is a dream come true. Marilyn strives to provide a safe, non-judgemental and caring environment for people to be able to build confidence, communication skills, trust and respect. Marilyn is passionate about encouraging people on their journey finding joy in their authentic self.
Katrina lives with her husband, John, on his family homestead Val Vista Ranch in Springbank, Alberta. John’s Mother, Irene Robinson, planted the seed of the charity in Katrina’s heart when Irene had to leave the ranch and live in a nursing home in nearby Calgary. Irene was happiest at the end of her life whenever she got the chance to go back to Val Vista Ranch. The Robinson’s envisioned a place where those in need could experience nature in a western setting – and ROARR was born. A native of New Mexico, Katrina has lived in Calgary for 30 years and owned a corporate event management company for 10 years. She has studied fundraising at Boston University and is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. After many years of online college courses, Katrina fulfilled her dream of obtaining her Bachelor in Psychology Counselling in 2017.
Merleen Hodgson
Chair
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Merleen has spent her entire career working with groups of people, beginning with the study and counselling of patients with chronic pain at the University of Calgary Headache Research. She spent the next decade, teaching and facilitating International Corporate Leaders in group dynamics and authenticity with Young Presidents Organization. She recently became a Louise Hay Facilitator and Coach for You Can Heal Your Life ®. Merleen is also certified as an Adventure in Wisdom Coach®; a comprehensive program that works with children from ages 7-13 to promote and maintain positive self-esteem and confidence while navigating the challenges of adolescence. Merleen is the official facilitator of our Kingsley’s Labyrinth and looks forward to bringing the Labyrinth to ROARR’s future programs.
Deanne Robinson
Director
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Deanne grew up in Calgary and moved to Springbank where she now lives with her husband and two kids. Deanne has experience working with kids for many years as a dance teacher and volunteering at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. Deanne is a Reiki Master, which is used for stress reduction, relaxation and also promotes healing. Deanne has enjoyed raising her kids for the past several years with the ability to be involved in their school and sports. Her passion for horses and children inspired her to become a Certified Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator as well as obtaining a certification in Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Niki Flundra
Director
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Niki Flundra, trick rider and liberty trainer, is a talented performer who travels extensively throughout North America performing her specialty act at the top events in professional rodeo. Hailing originally from the small town of Rockyford, Alberta, Niki has performed 12 times at the Calgary Stampede. Niki has also performed at every major rodeo in Canada and has had the honor and privilege of performing for the Canadian Prime Minister, the President of Mexico and the President of the United States of America. Niki is also a stunt woman in films such as Heartland, Shanghai Noon, Rat Race, and Little House on the Prairie. Niki is living her dream and is currently taking courses towards becoming a therapeutic riding instructor for children with special needs.
Cathy Morrison
Director
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Cathy and her husband Ted, live on a property west of Cochrane with their horses. Cathy not only has a passion for working with horses but with children as well. She has been on staff as a Registered Nurse at Alberta Children's Hospital for over 40 years, with a speciality in Hemodialysis. Cathy came to River Cross Ranch several years ago at an open house and has been involved in the transformation into ROARR. She plays an active role in caring for the horses and volunteering with the seniors.
Rochelle Zemlack
Director
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Info to come.
Cyndie Baum
Director
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Info to come.
Deb Archiblad
Director
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Deborah grew up in Ontario, spent much of her career and life in Yellowknife, NWT and now resides in Canmore. Deborah is a geologist by training and has worked in the private sector, the public sector and most recently in the international development sector. As a mom of two boys, she has a lot of experience with non-for-profit boards. Deborah has a passion for all things equine, a strong interest in supporting seniors to live their best life possible and supporting youth at risk. ROARR is a perfect fit for Deborah to bring all those interests together. Deborah is happiest outdoors, whether that is spending time with equine friends or hiking or skiing the mountains.
Shelby Powell
Treasurer
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Info to come.
Testimonials
T. Sieben- Multi Agency School Support Team (MASST)The customized Camps that ROARR has offered to children from the Multi Agency School Support Team (MASST) has been one of the best additions to our Spring and Summer programs to date. We have seen the positive impacts which come from Equine Assisted Learning and the feedback from our kids & families has been extremely positive. We hope to continue or collaboration with ROARR well into the future!
Jamie Gramlich - Clinician with Wood’s HomesIn this setting, they have found safety, mastery, meaning, and belonging. We feel incredibly grateful to be able to be offered these opportunities for these youth who would otherwise, not have access to them. For many of them, it is one of the most healing parts of their time with Wood’s.
Pat Provost, Piikani First Nation Elder and Horse Spirit Elder AdvisorNot only will this opportunity help break down the barriers, biases and prejudice that we face in the conduct of the Horse Spirit programming, but it will allow both Horse Spirit and ROARR to formally expand our reach to include youth from diverse cultural backgrounds including those living on and off-reserve.
M. Elder, Parent of ParticipantsThe differences in my children after completing this program are enormous. They were able to support their horse through new challenges, while regulating their feelings so that the horse was comfortable and could succeed. They became more aware of their surroundings and how their energy influenced others. It made them less focused on themselves and more focused on their environment and the people/animals around them. It built their confidence as they felt like leaders helping their horses. They physically relaxed every time they entered the area where the horses were. This learning has continued to impact them and has provided them with more tools to help them cope and thrive every day.
