Youth & Family Programs

At Richfield Community Education, we provide opportunities for enrichment and recreation activities where youth can explore and experience areas of interest, build skills and relationships and establish community connections. Our activities are presented in a fun and safe environment with plenty of hands-on involvement. From cooking to martial arts, drama, arts and crafts, languages and sports, we have something for everyone!

Financial assistance is available on a limited basis to help with the activity fees. Visit our Richfield R.E.A.D.Y. page to learn more or call 612-243-3000.

After School Programs

After school classes meet at Centennial, Sheridan Hills, Richfield Dual Language and Richfield STEM schools. Additional youth enrichment classes meet on evenings, school release days and during the summer. Seasonal youth flyers are sent home with students from school and are included in the citywide Community Education catalog. 

Release Day Activities

We offer fun, hands-on experiences for students on most school release days. Many programs are co-sponsored with the City of Richfield. Look for the seasonal flyer distributed through Richfield schools.

Summer Opportunities

There are plenty of fun activities to keep students busy during the summer! From art classes to babysitter training programs, we will help youth make the most of their summer.

 

Browse OUr Youth Classes

Our popular swimming lessons feature the Olympic-Style Swimming curriculum for youth ages 5-17. This program provides the finest swimming lesson your child will ever have! State-of-the-art techniques and concepts are featured in these lessons. An excellent staff of instructors and assistants are at the core of our success. Parents are encouraged to come and watch from the bleachers. We offer lessons year-round at the Richfield Middle School pool.  

• Level 1: For those who cannot swim for 30 feet or who are nervous about going under water.
• Level 2: For those who can swim for 30 feet (dog paddle).
• Level 3: For those who can do the front crawl for 30 feet with their face in the water most of the time (breathing may be “up” instead of the side), and the back crawl for 30 feet (hips may be a bit low and arms a bit bent).
• Level 4: For those who can do front crawl with good side breathing back crawl with good position, a head first dive, and a legal breaststroke kick.

Gain the certification necessary to work as a lifeguard! Learn skills to effectively prevent and respond to water emergencies with the American Red Cross lifeguard training. Our course will arm you with the skills and knowledge to prepare you for a variety of scenarios in and around the water. You will learn how quick response times and effective preparation are vital to being a lifeguard while also understanding the crucial elements in helping to prevent drowning and injuries.

This course is co-sponsored by the City of Richfield. Participants must be 15 years old by the last day of class and able to: complete a 300-yard swim using front crawl or breaststroke, retrieve a 10-pound brick from 7-10 feet of water, and tread water for two minutes without using hands.

We offer a safe, high-quality driver training program approved by the State of Minnesota Department of Public Safety, which meets the requirements of 30 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of behind-the-wheel training. Our instructors are licensed school teachers with special certification in driver education from the state of Minnesota. Sessions are scheduled seasonally, year-round, during after school and summer hours.

How To Get Your Driver License (ages 15-17)

• Classroom Instruction: At age 15, students are eligible to register and attend the classroom portion of the training program. You must attend all 30 hours of the training to be eligible for the next step of training.
• The Blue Card:  After completing 30 hours of classroom training, you will receive a blue card to be presented at the time of the permit test. You must be registered for a behind-the-wheel program in order to receive the blue card. Students who are not registered will receive a letter of completion for future behind the wheel training.
• Get Your Driving Permit: Arrange for the permit test independently at a Minnesota Drivers and Vehicle Services location. You will need the blue card, appropriate ID, your social security number, corrective lenses (if needed) and payment for the permit test fee.
• Schedule Behind-the-Wheel: After receiving your permit, schedule six hours of behind-the-wheel training. Notify the Community Education office when you are ready to begin the this training and an instructor will contact you to arrange driving appointments. Typically you will drive three times for two hours each, as arranged individually.
• Complete Behind-the-Wheel Instruction: Behind-the-wheel consists of one instructor and one student in a school district vehicle. After completion of the required six hours, you will receive a white card necessary for the license test.
• Practice: You will need to practice driving for six months. Minnesota law requires a student to have a permit for six months and maintain a driving log. The driving log must be submitted at the time of the road test.
• Road Test: Schedule the road test at a Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services location. Students must be 16-years-old to take the road test. Bring your white card, proof of insurance, fee, permit, social security number and corrective lenses (if needed).

Experience fun and learning together as a family!  Several classes, events, and field trips are offered each season for families to participate in together. 

Browse Special Events & Family Activities

Registration Options

1. Register online through Eleyo.
2. Download and complete the registration form and then send it in. Make checks payable to ISD #280 Or include your credit card information. You can get it to us in one of four ways:

• Email it to: communityeducation@rpsmn.org
• Fax it to: 612-243-3067
• Drop it off at the Central Education Center (7145 Harriet Avenue South). Our office hours are Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.
• Mail it to:

Richfield Community Education
7145 Harriet Avenue South
Richfield, MN 55423

Important Details for Registering

• You must register and pay any fees in advance for all classes and activities.
• No walk-ins or payments at the class or event, unless otherwise noted.
• Registration begins when you receive your catalog and remains open until each class is filled or cancelled.
• Registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage you to register early.
• Your email address is used for your registration confirmation and receipt, and for a reminder when your class is coming up. Please include your email and keep it updated in your account.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Customer initiated cancellations received within five or more business days prior to the start of the class will qualify for a refund minus a non-refundable $10 processing fee. Cancellations made fewer than five business days prior to the start date of activity/class will not be eligible for a refund. Send or deliver cancellation or change requests in writing.

Community Education reserves the right to cancel any activity/class that does not meet minimum enrollment. You will be contacted and complete refunds will be given when this occurs.

Additional Registration Notes

• Confirmations: When you register with a valid email address, you will receive an immediate receipt/confirmation. No news is good news, so if you do not hear from us assume you are in the class.
• Accommodations: If you need a sign language interpreter, note taker or other accommodations to participate in Community Education classes, we are here to help! Please provide at least ten days notice if possible.
  • For adult classes, call the Learning Exchange at 952-681-6121.
  • For youth and other classes, call 612-243-3000.
• Age restrictions: Note the age or grade level specified for each class. Adult classes are open to individuals age 16 or older unless otherwise indicated.
• UCare MN: Members of UCare-eligible plans can receive $15 off their Community Education class. The UCare ID number must be provided when registering. Most plans allow three or more yearly discounts.
• Inclement Weather: Decisions for cancellations due to weather generally follow Richfield Public Schools guidelines and will be posted on local news sources, Facebook and Twitter. We will also do our best to contact participants if we have current contact information.
• ECFE Classes: Early Childhood Family Education parent and child registration is based on your child's age as of September 1.
• ECFE Sibling Care: Sibling care is available for ECFE classes on a limited basis. Registration is required.
• After School Youth Classes: Send a note to your child’s teacher with your after school class dates. Children check-in after school at the advertised classroom. Parents must pick up their child immediately after the class ends at the advertised location.