pumptrack.
(Photo: NW Trail Alliance)
For the first time ever, the City of Portland Parks & Recreation bureau will team up with local off-road cycling non-profit Northwest Trail Alliance to hold a kids mountain biking camp.
“Whether you want to become a mountain bike pro or are just checking out the sport for the first time,” reads the camp description, “this 4-day camp will give you the hands-on experience you need to safely shred on your bike.” The collaboration with Portland Parks is a great match, says NWTA’s Director of Advocacy Tom Archer. The City provides the platform for the camp through their summer teen program, and the non-profit brings quality instruction and insider knowledge about the best local riding spots.
Archer says the camp will include visits to the new pumptrack at Ventura Park, and the trails at Powell Butte, Cascade Locks, and Sandy Ridge. There’s even an after-party planned at the new indoor bike park, The Lumberyard.
In addition to teaching kids how to become confident and skilled mountain bikers, Archer says the camp will instill a strong sense of environmental stewardship and trail building. At Powell Butte, kids will work with a City contractor who’s building new trails and will teach them about sustainable trail design and construction. Camp participants will also learn about how to mix recreation and natural area preservation from a Portland Audubon representative.
The Parks bureau is reaching out to some of their existing partners to provide some scholarships for kids who might have trouble affording the $200 entry fee.
The camp kicks off with a ribbon-cutting celebration at the new Ventura pumptrack on July 9th. Learn more about the camp at NW-Trail.org and register online at the Portland Parks website.
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Ok, it has been over 24 hours or so and no ones talkin’ about this post.
I just want to say that even though BP.org may not be the target audience for the NWTA so much, but Tom Archer is an awesome guy, and does a great job gettin’ things goin’ for kids in our community!
There are tons of things being done for children and cycling, but there is no one putting in the kind of true “sweat equity” that goes into Pump Tracks and Trail maint.
Please check this out, and if you can join in, I know you will enjoy it!
What age group is this aimed at? No kids myself, but I may suggest this to some of my friends for their youngsters.
This is so sweet.
You know, for kids….