Youth Development Through Mountain Bike at Wilderness Tours
Wilderness Tours is renowned for its focus on youth development through the exciting sport of whitewater kayaking. We are taking that experience and applying it to our mountain bike teen camp that is specifically designed for youth aged 12-17, providing a life-changing experience that helps teens build confidence, teamwork, and critical outdoor skills. Simply drop off your teen for the week on Sunday, and we’ll take care of everything else!
What to Bring
Mountain Bike
Campers must bring a well-maintained mountain bike with disc brakes, a certified helmet (must be manufactured in the last 5 years), and front suspension (or full). A dropper post is highly recommended.
Protection
Helmet, gloves, knee & elbow protection are mandatory
Additional Items and equipment
- Spare tubes and portable bike tools.
- Water bottle and light backpack or hydration pack for riding
- Rain gear – riding rain or shine
- Change of clothing, swimsuit, towels, extra running shoes
Additional Program Information
Are you a local resident of the Ottawa River Valley or prefer to forgo overnight accommodations and meals? Be sure to ask about our Locals Rate, which allows your teen to participate in the program while staying off-site. Daily sessions run from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, ensuring a full and rewarding day of riding.
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Included
Instruction & Guiding
5 days of coaching from certified mountain bike instructors as well as professional certified guides for on the water acuities
Meals Included
14 hearty meals are the best way to fuel all of our guests. Monday breakfast until Friday lunch is included in this mountain bike camp.
Gear Included
Water activities include paddle, personal flotation device, and a helmet which are provided prior to your trips. Mountain bike equipment will need to be rented or brought.
Shuttles Included
Shuttles to other near by trail systems are included.
Evening Supervision and Lodging
All campers are supervised 24/7 and housed in our hostel units on site. Please bring extra pillows and sleeping bag.
Itinerary
Arrival & Check-in:
Your bike program begins with a 7 PM briefing followed by a meet and greet.
Day 1 | Gearing Up & Review of the Basics
To best prepare you for your time on trails with us, our coaches begin our programs with the basics. From the way our bikes are set up and gear fit to our most basic techniques, our aim is to master the fundamentals.
- Gearing Up
Each program begins the same way: with an orientation and personalized sizing of the equipment you will be using. - Safety Briefing
Our Bike Instructors have your safety in mind. Before getting on the trails, your instructor will explain the safety procedures for the day. - Let’s Ride!
Starting with a basic review and focusing on technique, your instructor will help you achieve your goals! - Lunch
Rehydrate and refuel because your day is only half over! - More riding!
Continue challenging yourself! The second half of the day will build upon the first half of your instructor’s lesson plan. - Your arrival back to the main pavilion
It’s been a full day of riding but don’t run off just yet! Your instructor will provide you with an itinerary for Day 2 and the evening’s entertainment options.
Day 2 – Riding Morning & Afternoon River Tubing/water activity
As the program continues, our instructors will encourage you, the participant, to take the skills you learned on Day 1 and implement them in more dynamic scenarios, providing feedback along the way through verbal coaching and video review. With the afternoon heat, we’ll head out on the water during peak heat, and our instructors will host a Mechanical workshop with hands-on skills.
Day 3 | Morning Riding with afternoon rafting trip
Continuing to build skills in our training area and applying those skills to the trails based on individual goals and riding skills.
The afternoon will be a beginner rafting trip down the Ottawa River.
Day 4 | Riding and Trail Building
Our instructors will continue to help you progress during Day 4 to help prepare you for the culmination day.
The afternoon will be spent on sustainable trail building theory and the application of that theory out on the trails. A trip to the inflatable water park is always a great way to round out the end of the day.
Day 5 | Culmination Day:
Challenge by choice will be the theme on culmination day. Our instructors will provide opportunities for you to use the new skills you’ve learned throughout the week and push yourself as far as you can!
Parent Pickup is at 4 pm on Friday, the last day of the camp.
