Bike Camp! City Explorers

About Camp:

Bike Camp! is a week long summer program for students in Elementary and Middle school.

City Explorers Camp focuses on, well, exploring the city by bike! We also cover map reading, route creation, group riding skills, and riding long distances. Activities include:

Riding every day (weather dependent), and as many as 20 miles per day!
Riding to field trips and volunteer opportunities across the city.
Practicing bike handling skills and learning how to ride safely in traffic and on trails.
Learning how to do basic bike maintenance.

Camp Sessions:

July 3rd-7th – Elementary School Camp (No camp on the 4th of July!)

For students entering grades 3-5
Discounted rate due to no camp on 7/4/2023

July 10th-14th – Elementary School Camp

For students entering grades 3-5

July 17th-21st – Middle School Camp

For students entering grades 6-8

July 24th-28th – Middle School Camp

For students entering grades 6-8

Location

DC Dream Center – Camp will start and end each day at this location.

2826 Q St SE, Washington, DC 20020

Public Transportation: This location is a 5-minute walk from the Pennsylvania Ave SE + 27th St SE Bus Stop

What’s Included

A bicycle and helmet will be provided for use throughout camp for any camper who needs one at no extra cost
- Campers may bring their own bike and helmet if they prefer. If your camper will ride their own bicycle during camp, you must have the bike checked over by a qualified mechanic before camp starts. After registration, you’ll receive a Bicycle Inspection Form that you can use to have the bike checked out by a qualified bike mechanic. Most bike shops will perform an inspection for free, however, repairs will require payment. If you don’t know how to find a bike mechanic, we can help.
Snacks will be provided each day. We’ll also stop for ice cream on the last day of camp to celebrate!
Entry or participation fees for all activities will be covered.

COVID Information

Due to the ongoing effects of COVID-19, all participants are expected to adhere to WABA’s health and safety guidelines for in-person events:

Health and Safety

Participants should not attend in-person events if they feel sick or show symptoms of illness. Please notify WABA by emailing youth@waba.org in the event that the camper can no longer attend.
WABA youth education programs are mask optional. WABA does not require participants to be vaccinated in order to attend class although we strongly encourage all participants to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Those who have not been vaccinated are required to wear a CDC approved facemask for the duration of class. Anyone who has received the COVID-19 vaccine may choose to forgo masks. WABA respects anyone’s decision to wear a mask and encourages all people to advocate for themselves. If you would like to wear a mask during class and would like to maintain social distancing we highly encourage you to do so! WABA will not tolerate any disrespect towards WABA staff or participants who choose to wear a mask for their own safety and peace of mind.
Participants will be expected to follow the mask guidelines of any indoor locations we visit for programming or activities.
Participants will provide their contact information at event registration. Participants consent to WABA contacting them and/or releasing their contact information to necessary authorities if there is a need for contact tracing following an event to contain an outbreak of COVID-19.

Cancellation Policy

If you are unable to attend camp and would like to cancel your registration please send us an email at youth@waba.org as soon as possible, so that we may cancel your registration. Each camp is capped at 12 students so we would like to make the spot available to other campers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age groups are eligible for camp?

Elementary School Camp is for students entering 3rd-5th grade. Middle school camp is for students entering 6th-8th grade. Students must attend the camp that is suited for their age group.

Does my camper have to know how to ride a bike to attend camp?

Yes, in order to attend Bike Camp! students must already be able to ride a bicycle for at least 30 minutes uninterrupted.

What happens if my camper can no longer attend camp?

If your camper is unable to attend, please send us an email to youth@waba.org. Any cancelations received before Monday, June 24th will receive a full refund. After Monday, June 24th, refunds will be offered for cancelations due to illness on a case-by-case basis.

Should I register my camper for multiple weeks of camp?

In an effort to reach as many different campers as possible and accommodate people’s diverse availabilities, we will be offering some of the same activities at multiple weeks of camp. To avoid campers repeating activities or rides, we recommend that campers sign up for one week of camp.

I would like to register a camper that is not a DC Resident, can they still attend?

Absolutely! Bike Camp! is open to students from DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

Will campers be riding on streets? What precautions will be taken to keep them safe?

We will ride on streets and trails, many of which have protected bike facilities. Campers will learn how to follow the rules of the road, and how to navigate different traffic situations. When necessary, we will ride on the sidewalk or walk our bikes. Campers will always be surrounded by WABA staff, and/or camp counselors. We will always ride as a “bike train”, with adults in the front and the back of the formation. For us, the best decision is always the safest decision, so our rides are designed first and foremost with camper safety in mind.

Do campers bring their own bikes? What if a camper doesn’t have a bike?

Campers are encouraged to bring their own bikes to camp. If your camper will ride their own bicycle during camp, you must have the bike checked over by a qualified mechanic before camp starts. After registration, you’ll receive a Bicycle Inspection Form that you can use to have the bike checked out by a qualified bike mechanic. Most bike shops will perform an inspection for free, however, repairs will require payment. If you don’t know how to find a bike mechanic, we can help.

If the camper does not have a bike, or the cost of needed repairs to get the bike in working order is a concern, WABA will provide a rental bike at no additional cost. If you indicate that your camper does not have a bike in your application form, we will do our best to match them with an appropriate bicycle to use during the program.

What should campers bring to camp every day?

A bike that fits properly and is in working condition
A helmet
A bagged lunch (snacks will be provided!)
A water bottle
A backpack to carry their lunch or other items while biking.
Closed-toe shoes and appropriate clothing for biking

What will happen if there is inclement weather on a camp day?

Our ability to ride bikes each day is weather dependent. In the case that inclement weather occurs during a ride, if it is safe to do so, campers may need to ride for a short distance in the rain to reach basecamp or a scheduled indoor activity.

If the inclement weather that occurs during camp is too severe to safely ride bikes, we will have alternative activities planned for campers to complete inside.

It is possible for a day of Bike Camp! to be canceled due to inclement weather. Cancellation will occur by 7:30 AM on the morning of camp. All campers will be notified by WABA staff.

My camper has never ridden their bike on city streets, trails, or for 20 miles before, can they come to camp?

Yes! We will begin with a ride safety class that introduces riders to the skills needed to ride safely in different settings, as well as within groups. Our rides are also planned to accommodate riders of varying confidence and experience levels and we will be taking breaks.

However, to participate in camp, students must be able to ride a bicycle for at least 30 minutes uninterrupted.

Is this a competitive sports camp?

No. Bike Camp! is an inclusive community-building camp that focuses on fun, self-development, and exploration. Our rides are designed with the abilities of the slowest rider in mind, and we aim to use bicycling as a vehicle for exploration, self-reflection, and civic engagement.

Who can I contact if I have a question that is not on this list?

Email is the best way to reach us. You can contact us at youth@waba.org

Alternatively, give us a call at (202) 970-4424 ext 63.

Page last updated by Sydney Sotelo on March 3, 2023.