Bike Camp
"Best summer camps in Portland. My daughter has attended for years. The staff and activities are outstanding." - 2011 Bike Camp Parent
Bike Camp is more than just riding a bike – it’s about the empowerment and independence kids feel from a summer adventure on two wheels. For campers, they will gain confidence, knowledge, and skills in a safe, creative and supportive team environment. Parents will find that their kids come home each day with a smile on their face, exhausted from a day of adventures.
Activities focus on developing safe riding techniques, mechanical knowledge, and road knowledge through hands on-experience. At Bike Camp, your child will have a blast spending quality time outdoors with new friends. Campers begin and end each day at the Community Cycling Center neighborhood bike shop on the corner of NE 17th and Alberta.
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Bike Camp Information and Policies
2012 Schedule
Registration Information
Bike Camp Supplies
Our Teaching/Learning Philosophy
The Community Cycling Center mission is to broaden access to bicycling and all its benefits. That includes improved health, environmental stewardship and enhanced livability. To that end, our instructors will emphasize the bicycle as a tool for empowerment and a vehicle for change. We believe hands-on learning allows children to gain skills, knowledge and confidence, and also the interpersonal skills of decision-making and problem-solving that prepare them to be healthy, active, and engaged citizens. Our instructor to camper ratio is 1:6.
We emphasize cooperative learning in a team environment. If your child has specific goals, please contact us in order to ensure that s/he is in the best camp.
Cost: $283 for a one-week session (all fees included). Online registration will begin on Wednesday, February 1st.
Location: Each day begins and ends at the Community Cycling Center bike shop at 1700 NE Alberta St.
Hours: 9am – 3pm. See the weekly schedule for more information.
The calendar below is updated weekly on Wednesday afternoons. Camps that are full will be crossed out below. For the most up-to-date schedule or to add your child’s name to the waitlist, please visit our online registration system.
| Week | Ages 6-8 | Ages 8-11 | Ages 11-13 | Ages 13+ |
| June 18 – 23 | ||||
| June 25 – 30 | Coasters | |||
| July 2 – 6 (no camp on Wed., 7/4) | Cruisers | Advanced Cruisers |
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| July 9 – 13 | Cruisers | |||
| July 16 – 20 | ||||
| July 23 – 27 | Girls Bike Camp |
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| July 30 – August 3 | Coasters | Girls Bike Camp | Cruisers | Advanced Riders |
| August 6 – 10 | ||||
| August 13 – 17 | Advanced Cruisers | |||
| August 20 – 24 | Cruisers | |||
| August 27 – 31 | Advanced Cruisers | Urban Riders |
Bike Camp Information and Policies:
Please read through the important information below before registering for Bike Camp.
Registration: All registrations are processed through our online system. If you need assistance to register online or for Bike Camp inquiries call 503.288.8864. Requests to register a child outside of their skill level must be approved by a Community Cycling Center Bike Camp Staff. Children registered in camps that are not suitable for their skill level will not receive a refund.
Learn more about Bike Camp at our shop on Saturdays in February & March! Do you have questions regarding the best camp for your child? Do you have questions that you would like to have answered in person? New this year, Bike Camp staff will be available on Saturdays in the shop at 1700 NE Alberta to help answer questions and assist in registration. In shop registrations will only be available for a limited time on Saturdays and will be processed through the online registration system.
Waitlist: If the camp that you would like to register for is full, you can add your child’s name to the waitlist through the online registration system. There are limited spots on each waitlist. If a spot becomes available, everyone on the waitlist is contacted and the spot is filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. You can reach Lara on the bike camp support cell phone at 503-206-9948 if you are unable to reach her at the office for waitlist openings.
Cancellations or Changes: The Community Cycling Center requires all camp cancellations and requests to change session dates to be submitted in writing via standard mail, fax, or email to Lara[at]CommunityCyclingCenter[dot]org. Please see fee details below for cancellations and changes:
| # of Days Prior to Start Date | Cancellation Processing Fees | Camp Changes/Transfers |
| 60+ Days | $50.00 | $0.00 |
| 30-60 Days | $50.00 | $25.00 |
| 30 Days | No refunds | No changes |
Refunds will be issued according to the original method of payment. Refunds will not be issued to campers who repeatedly do not follow safety instructions or who are registered in a camp outside of their skill range.
A typical week of camp:
Day 1: Setting Expectations. We create a foundation with activities at the shop, followed by an afternoon ride. Please note that the majority of Monday’s class is off of the bike.
Day 2 – 4: During the middle of the week, we will learn and practice basic maintenance skills, ride to new and fun destinations, and enjoy time at parks.
Day 5: After a morning ride, all campers converge to enjoy afternoon treats with Icicle Tricycle and a large group game. We always finish the last day with the big hill challenge!
Please note that we teach in a team environment, activities and rides are often chosen by consensus.
Getting Ready for Bike Camp: Campers should be prepared to bring the items listed below to camp. A more detailed list will be included with your Bike Camp registration packet that you will receive with the confirmation email.
- Properly functioning bike
- Required Bike Inspection Form from a certified bike mechanic
- Backpack or bag suitable for everyday riding. Campers are expected to carry everything they need for the day
- Sack lunch, a snack, and water
- Comfortable attire (no bike-specific clothing is necessary for our camps)
- Closed-toed shoes – no flip-flops or other sandals
Weekly Schedule:
Monday Check In: 8:30 – 9:00am
Tuesday – Friday Arrival: 8:45 – 9:00am
Bike Camp Hours: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Pickup: 3:00 – 3:15pm
Bike Camp closes at 3:15pm
Please note that we do not have the capacity to provide before or aftercare. If before or aftercare is a priority, consider signing up for Bike Camp at OMSI. Information about our partner camps at OMSI will be available on the OMSI web site in mid-January.
Staff: Our Bike Camp instructors are selected for their experience working with children and for their special interest and skills with bicycles. All of our staff have First Aid and CPR certifications and have received training on the unique safety and group management requirements of a bicycle program to ensure that your child has a fun and safe camp experience. If there is any information that would help us set your child up for success in our program, please contact us to ensure that we are able to support your child’s needs. Our staff will assess the needs of each group and modify daily activities according to skill levels. Our instructors reserve the right to move your child to another camp based on availability, safety concerns, and skill level.
Riding Protocol: To maintain the safety of the entire group on the road, campers will be asked to ride in a line. Each camper will practice individual stops at every stop sign, unless otherwise noted by an instructor. Instructor teams will work together to ensure that your child is safe at intersections. Campers who repeatedly do not follow riding protocol put the entire group at risk and will be asked to leave camp without a refund.
Confidentiality: Information about participants will only be released to parents/guardians listed in the participant’s registration. Due to this policy, we do not confirm if your child is registered with a friend.
Make a gift: The Community Cycling Center is a nonprofit organization with a mission to broaden access to bicycling and its benefits through our hands-on programs, volunteer projects, and neighborhood bike shop. From teaching 4th and 5th graders bike safety in after-school Bike Clubs to empowering low-income adults in our Create a Commuter program, we work year-round to make bicycling accessible to all members of our diverse community. Please consider rounding up to make a donation – your gift will be tax-deductible and will make a huge difference for us.
Please contact the Youth Program Manager, Kim Whitney with questions at 503.288.8864 x323 or Kim@CommunityCyclingCenter.org