YOUTH CYCLING CAMPS

MAKING CYCLING A SAFE & FUN LINK TO YOUR COMMUNITY

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Our youth cycling program is designed for youth (aged 9 to 13).  Youth have the option to participate in either one or both of our cycling camps (July 5 - 9 & Aug 16 - 20) and develop bicycle skills as they advance from Novice, Junior, Intermediate, and Premier.  Depending on the circumstances, we can be flexible with the child`s age.

Riders spend their time outside on the bicycle, learning skills, and practicing their skills.  Yes, we ride even when it is raining -- it is more fun when it is raining -- it is the adults that don`t like to bicycle in the rain, kids love it!  Of course, we don`t ride in heavy rain. We`d just spend this time working on bicycle maintenance, cleaning, and taking your bike apart.

The Camp runs from 9 am to 3 pm, with the drop off and pick up location being the Rotary Friendship Park.  We begin our riding in the Friendship Park, gaining experience and skills, and depending on the comfort level of the group, we explore safe streets in Summerside and hidden outdoor adventure gems along the way.

This is an outdoor adventure and physically active camp.  Campers must be prepared to bicycle, with breaks and teaching moments along the way.  We bicycle to things, showing Campers the safest bicycle route to make it to their favorite stops in Summerside and also exploring those hidden treasures. Parents will always be aware of the plans for every day but permission to safely explore treasures that Ken didn`t even know about is possible as then the entire group can experience a new beaver dam, a new trail, a new pond, a new way to find that lighthouse.....together safe in a group.

All Campers are able to participate in the Lobster Carnival parade and enter the bicycle decorating contest.  We`ll ride in it together.  Week One of the Camp ends the day before the parade.  All Campers and their families can come out during the massive 1st Annual Lobster Nature Ride on July 11th as part of the Lobster Carnival. 

Campers are to pack snacks and a picnic lunch for every day except on Friday when we all bicycle to a group-agreed destination.  And, it won`t be all cycling s we will bicycle to destinations (ie, parks and beaches) and play games or play in the sand or walk a trail.

The Group will be led by Ken Trenholm, a certified youth cycling Leader and certified Community Coach with years of experience as a cyclist and working working with youth.   The images on the left are some of the youth who participated in a previous youth cycling camp.

Camp Highlights

• Campers learn four specific skill areas of cycling: safety, riding, bicycle maintenance, and community.
• Campers find the safest routes from their home to places they like to go in the City 
  
• Campers` experience is individualized as Campers progress at their own rate and comfort level
  
• Campers learn life skills - goal setting, problem solving, and decision making
• Campers develop positive thinking and coping methods - cycling as a way to burn off energy and experience being good at something
• Campers development additional values - respect and empathy for other people, appreciation of, and responsibility for, the environment and their community

The Camp in a nutshell

The camp skills fall into four specific areas.

* Safety (Novice)
* Bike Maintenance (Junior)
* Riding (Intermediate)
* Community & Environment (Premier)

SAFETY(Novice)
We all need to understand how to bicycle safely and there are a number of things we teach our Campers.  We`ll look at helmet fit, clothing, food and nutrition, water bottles, riding etiquette, and locks and lights. 

BIKE MAINTENANCE (Junior)
What an awesome feeling to be able to repair your bicycle and keep it running smoothly.  We`ll have a blast as Campers will be singing the ABCs of Bike Check, learn how to properly lay a bike down, clean the bike, and how to make adjustments on breaks, wheels, and seat.

RIDING (Intermediate)
We`ll teach Campers that riding is much (oh, so much more) than putting their bottom on the saddle and feet on the pedals.  We`ll cover the following topics: balance, mounting and dismounting, looking a head and choosing a line, cornering and falling, pedal stroke, climbing, and the best way to not crash when riding with their friends

COMMUNITY & ENVIRONMENT (Premier)
What fun we will have in discovering the safest cycling routes to your favorite places to go in the City, from your house or from a busy intersection or from where we are at a certain point during the day.  We`ll explore what do safe cycling routes look like, how to find them, and why the fastest route may not always be the safest route.  Finding safe cycling routes allow you to better enjoy biking with your friends and enjoy your surroundings.

The cost for youth to participate is $115.00.  This fee includes General Membership with Cycling PEI and the Summerside Cycling Club, a noon-time meal on the Friday (the last day of the camp), tools to repair their bicycles, and an extremely fun and creative way to spend your summer vacation.

 

Everyone must wear a helmet.  That includes youth, the ride leader, and any parents that may want to come out as well.  Yes, parents are allowed.  We all can learn something.