(Photos © J. Maus)
With spring almost here, many Portland parents find themselves trying to choose between the myriad choices of local summer camps. Among them are two camps that will introduce your kid to the mix of fun, function and fitness that only a bicycle can bring.
Here’s a bit more information on two great options. One comes from local non-profit stalwart the Community Cycling Center and the other from well-known youth biking instructor Gregg Lavender.
The CCC’s camps come highly recommended. They’ve got a full menu of options available (including a Girls Camp) for kids ages 6-15. CCC bike camps are a week long and cost $275 per child (scholarships are available for half-price admission). Registration opened on February 1 and some sessions are already sold out. Check the CCC website for more information.
Camp Bike Fun is a new venture started by North Portland resident and independent “bike and pedestrian safety education consultant” Gregg Lavender.
Gregg has worked as a bike safety instructor with the BTA’s Safe Routes to School program and he has taught bike safety for the Community Cycling Center. Joining Gregg are Kim Fey and Alex McFarland, co-directors of the non-profit bike shop North Portland Bike Works.
In addition to learning basic riding skills, Gregg says the camp will focus on getting out in the community. Field trips include activities like zine-making and “urban fruit gleaning.” Staying true to the camp’s motto — “Campers won’t just learn about their community, they’ll help create it” — Camp Bike Fun will include a session with local citizen journalists who will help the kids write and submit articles to local papers. Gregg will also teach citizen activism basics by having campers come up with ideas for citywide youth biking programs and then present them at City Hall.
Camp Bike Fun is open to kids 10-15 years old and registration opens on March 11th. Sessions are $190 per week and there are two or three week options available. More details at CampBikeFun.com.
And Gregg gets bonus points for an awesome camp poster designed by local artist Shawn Granton:
What time does the camp start and end each day? That’s important factor for me when choosing a camp!
Great, Great idea. If I had kids they would definitely be going to this.
Thanks for the great article Jonathan!
We are looking forward to riding to Bike Portland headquarters this summer to get tips on blogging and writing about issues that affect 10-15 year old cyclists.
To register, come into North Portland Bikeworks at 3951 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97227 or call (503)287-1098.
http://www.NorthPortlandBikeWorks.org
http://www.CampBikeFun.com
@1 becky, you’re right, that is the KEY question for me. I’ve called Camp Bike Fun three times, left two voice mails and talked to one person, yet still cannot find out what time their camp starts and ends. They don’t appear to respond to email. I’d love for my daughter to attend the camp, but without this basic information I can’t even consider registering for it.
@3 Gregg, any comment on this?