Youth Mountain Bike Camp - Week of August 11, 2025 (M-F, 5 days)

This camp is presented by YJR Outdoors and Philadelphia Free Range, with partners Papertrail Bike Shop & Café, and Rittenhouse Town.
Important Camp Details

• This is not a learn to ride session. Youth participants must know how to ride a bike.
• No mountain biking experience necessary. Coaches will teach all necessary mountain bike skills.
• Minimum 5 maximum 12 campers. A waitlist will be provided.
• Age 8 to 14 or roughly 3rd to 8th grade.
• This is a co-ed camp open to all genders.
• Bring your own lunch. Lunch is not provided. Snacks, water and drinks will be provided.
• A mountain bike with gears, helmet and water bottle are required. Bikes can be rented for an additional fee.
• Snacks, water, cover, and amenities provided
• Camp may cancel days due to inclement weather
• Parent/guardian waiver required

Contact us with questions: (215) 704-1556 or [email protected]

Program Overview
This week-long mountain bike camp blends hands-on biking instruction with environmental education. Riders will build confidence, develop technical trail skills, and grow their environmental awareness through fun, structured activities.

Bike Skills & Trail Awareness
Campers will learn core riding techniques like body position, braking, cornering, climbing, and descending. They’ll also explore trail scanning, decision-making, and sessioning—building skills progressively while respecting trail conditions.
We also cover trail etiquette, group riding communication, and mindful riding to ensure riders understand their impact on the environment. Games and challenges will reinforce both biking skills and stewardship values.
View the YJR Progression Model

Trail Stewardship & Conservation
A great ride starts with a healthy trail. Campers will get hands-on experience in trail care: learning safety protocols, performing minor maintenance, and understanding how different riding styles affect trail conditions.

Hands-On Environmental Action
Participants will take part in stewardship projects like park cleanups, invasive species removal, and native plant restoration. They’ll learn how to identify plants, use tools safely, and creatively reuse materials—like making rope or paper from invasives.

Sharing Space with Nature
Campers will deepen their connection to nature through activities focused on wildlife awareness, quiet movement, and observational games. They'll learn to recognize habitats and understand the human impact on ecosystems.

Eco Education & Exploration
Through interactive learning, campers will explore concepts like watersheds, meadows, forests, and their roles in the ecosystem. They'll also practice trail mapping, navigation, and basic plant identification.

About YJR Outdoors / Yo! Just Ride / John Raisch

John has over 20 years of professional business, technology and entrepreneurship experience, and over 10 years of youth adventure sports experience and volunteerism.

John is an expert in both mountain biking and snowboarding instruction and riding, with a notable dedication to teaching and fostering growth within these sports communities. His qualifications are a testament to his commitment and expertise in nurturing athletes across different age groups, particularly focusing on the youth.

Certifications

• USA Cycling Level 3 Coach & Team Manager
• BICP Level 1 - Ride Guide and Fundamental Skills Instructor
• NICA Level 3 Coach License
• PICL Certified Coach Trainer
• Wilderness First Aid certified
• Certified Bear Creek Snowboard Instructor

About Rose Hammerman / Philadelphia Free Range

Using natural materials and developmental approaches to learning, Philly Free-Range educates families and communities in group settings ranging from all ages and stages, with a myriad of landscapes. With an earth-based and nature-connection focus, the curriculum is catered to the participant's and organizations' likings.

Philadelphia Free-Rangers will engage in games of skilled awareness and collaboration throughout the fields and trails of the Wissahickon Park. Wanders in the wooded landscape will engage children’s senses to their natural space. Earth crafts will be threaded throughout the week, utilizing materials from the landscape.

Host or Publisher John Raisch / Yo! Just Ride