Red Deer's rinks are going to be the setting of a number of immigrant children's first memories of skating, as they take part in the Central Alberta Refugee Effort's (CARE) learn to skate program this week.

The free program brings together seasoned skaters with those brand-new to the blades and teaches kids the basics of being on the ice. It is hosted thanks to a partnership between CARE and the City of Red Deer.

Beginning on January 2nd, volunteers from community organizations will pair with CARE program coordinators to help teach youths who are new to Canada the basics of skating. 

Immigrant Youth Programmer at CARE, Qabas Al-Sammarraie, said it's a great program that introduces newcomers to one of Canada's favourite cold-weather past times.

"The newcomers to central Alberta have never been on skates, and they're afraid of it. They don't go outside and do activities in the winter, and this is the school break, so those kids are just sitting at home. They get to learn how to skate and it's fun," Al-Sammarraie said.

"You should see their faces when they first get on skates and they get comfortable with it after a while. Now we actually have kids who play hockey who started in this program."

Al-Samurai said they welcome back the kids each Saturday for a free skate at the Riverside Meadows arena after the initial event.

From January 2-4th, the kids will learn the basics and can come back to practice throughout the winter after that.

 "They love it. They love the program. They ask us about it as soon as they're done, when we're going to do it again. That's why we do community skating for free at Riverside Meadows. We have all the skates that are donated to us that we can bring and our staff will be there every Saturday from 2 to 4," Al-Sammarraie. 

"We know that three days doesn't just magically teach kids how to skate so that's why we go back after."

The Central Alberta Refugee Effort is hosting their 8th annual 'Learn to skate' program for immigrant youth, starting January 2nd.

The 'Learn to Skate' events will take place at the following times and locations:

January 2: Servus Credit Union Arena, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. - beginner skating lesson and time to practice

January 3: Bower Ponds , 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. - youth opportunity to practice outdoors with volunteers on hand

January 4: Riverside Meadows Outdoor Rink (6021 57 Ave) 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. - youth continue to practice, Red Deer Pond Hockey teaching hockey basics, pick-up shinny game