Sign up now for Bike Camp during TUSD October Break
Friday, September 7th, 2012 |  |  |
The Pima County Department of Transportation Bicycle and Pedestrian Program will sponsor Bike Camp for kids ages 8-13, Oct. 1-5. The camp is presented by El Grupo Youth Cycling and Bicycle Inter-Community Art & Salvage (BICAS). Additional support is provided by The North Face Explore Fund, Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), University Medical Center, and Technicians for Sustainability.
Daniela Diamente, director of both El Grupo and the camp, said that the two summer sessions of Bike Camp sold out quickly so they decided to offer another camp during the fall school break. “It’s a new thing for parents to have the fall break,” she said. “A lot of parents don’t have vacation time and it’s cooler out so it’s a great time to do another camp.”
Campers begin and end each day at Technicians for Sustainability Warehouse located at 612 N. Seventh Ave., near Sixth Street and Sixth Avenue, just north of downtown. Campers begin the day at 8 a.m. and end at 12:30 p.m.
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Program will provide nationally certified bike safety instruction through the Bike Ambassadors program, and 10 El Grupo members ages 14-18 will server as youth instructors. It’s great leadership training and job experience for the El Grupo kids, Diamente said, and the campers enjoy being taught by older peers.
October Bike Camp teaches confidence, knowledge, and skills in a safe, fun and peer-led environment. Activities focus on developing safe-riding skills, mechanical knowledge, and bike handling for each skill level, as well as exposure to health and wellness, environmental stewardship, air quality issues, and recycled art through a series of hands-on experiences.
Youth Bike Camp Schedule
Day 1: Orientation to Bikes, El Grupo and BICAS, Basic Bicycle Mechanics, and Bike Safety
Day 2: On-the-bike skills sessions & nutrition activities (by UMC)
Days 3 & 4: Bike rides! With lots of skills training along the way, recycled art, clean air activities (by DEQ)
Day 5: Bike ride to group “Goal Destination,” Graduation!
The weeklong camp session costs $150 and scholarships are available based upon need. To request a scholarship application or for more information about the camp, email: info@elgrupocycling.org
