Below you will find answers to questions we get asked most frequently. We suggest that you read through them before registering for any of our events or summer camps. If you don’t see the answer to your question below, please feel free to contact us. We will be glad to help!
Your child must be able to ride a two wheeled bike to enter the camps. Our camps do not teach how to ride a bike. We teach how to mountain bike ride on trail systems around the state of Maine. To put a new bike rider in our camps can be very frustrating for the child. Another year of riding and experimenting with their bikes in neighborhoods, with your family and doing some beginner trail exposure is a great way to get them ready for a beginner mountain bike camp with YCP.
All campers must be the age requirement on the camp dates.
If the camp is full, you child is welcome to register for the waitlist pertaining to that camp.
Camps are not just based on skill level, but also social and emotional development. If you child does not meet the criteria for a camp, they will have to start with the camp that does meet their age and skill level. We welcome calls to help clarify any information for parents in this area.
YCP camps are created for developing leaders on the trail with confidence, community and character. We focus on single track riding skills with beginner, intermediate, advanced and advanced plus skill levels. A lot of the skills advance with age and experience. We do experience features in advanced settings that bring us into beginner basics of gravity based on form, feature awareness, good choices and bike control. We do not go further than that. If your child is looking for gravity, we highly recommend Highland Mt. Bike Park. They have an excellent facility and certified-experienced coaching staff for the gravity discipline.
Yes, all kids need to ride with a hydration system backpack. This teaches them independence and good trail etiquette. Our coaching staff has emergency supplies but this is not to be confused for supplies for children that do not want to carry their own. Being leaders on the trail means to be prepared for hot, rainy weather and bike problems that may come up on the trail for them or someone else they are with.
Bikes that are 20” to 24” don’t allow for water bottles.
We do not supply tubes. We carry back up emergency tubes, but they don’t fit all bikes. Bike geometry is changing so much that we would not be able to carry all the tubes for all the campers.
Here are some local shops that support YCP:
Center Street Cycles, Brunswick – 207-729-5309
Cyclemania, Portland – 207-774-2933
Rainbow Bikes, Auburn/Lewiston – 207-784-7576
The waitlist works in order of registration. So, we will transfer in order of who registered first and go in order.
If for any reason we change camps in order to get more kids off the list and into camps. We will pull from the waitlist first, then open it to the public.
When in doubt register for the waitlist, you do not get charged unless you get moved into a camp.
Yes, if arrangements are made in writing and sent to info@youthcycleproject.org. We also accept texts (207-776-2967). You will need to list all families involved and children’s names.
We do not do any early drop off or late pick up care. If you choose to do this YCP will not be responsible for the child’s safety. If an emergency happens, please let us know and we will help you figure out a solution for the safety of your child.
We do offer private mountain bike lessons for kids and families. Visit our Mount Bike Lessons page or email us at info@youthcycleproject.org to learn more. We start the lessons every spring when the trails dry out and go until November.
Join in on the fun and register for an event or one of our summer camps!