Summer Bike Camp
Powered by Kiwanis Club of Traverse City
Our summer programs for kids are designed to get kids active, engaged, and confident! You’ll find our youth bike camps in action in six counties with more than 1,000 openings at locations in Traverse City, Elk Rapids, Glen Arbor, and more. Join us for a single four-day week or meet your childcare needs with recurrent sessions all summer long. Every summer bike camp team is led by trained adults and structured to keep things fun!
We’d like to thank our title sponsor, Kiwanis Club of Traverse City, and our supporting sponsors, Traverse City Orthodontics, TBA Credit Union, the DALMAC Fund, and HP Foundation. Their financial support helps us keep this program financially accessible for our region’s kids.
Does your rider need to borrow a bike for Summer Bike Camp? Please fill out this form to reserve a bicycle the week before your rider’s week of camp begins!
Please Scroll for Info on All Norte Summer Bike Camp Experiences
Norte is dedicated to providing affordable summer camps in northern Michigan that address the region’s considerable childcare shortages. This is more than a day camp; every single ride is a new adventure dedicated to inspiring healthy habits and building important social skills with every pedal stroke.
All sessions run Monday through Thursday and meet at specific locations across the region. This year, you’ll find a mix of camps that range from 3.5 to 6 hours and more additional experiences than ever. If you have any questions about a session, contact programs@norteyouthcycling.org to learn more.
Camp Locations
Traverse City - Norte Wheelhouse
Our Traverse City camps remain the core of our programs and serve hundreds of kids each summer. Camps start at and end at The Wheelhouse, located on the northern end of the Grand Traverse City Civic Center.
Glen Arbor - The Cyclery
Join our 3.5-hour Glen Arbor camps 7/7-7/11 and 7/29-8/1. Both sessions will host teams divided into 1st-2nd grade, 3rd-4th grade, and 5th-6th grade.
Session Lengths
3.5 Hour Camps - $225
We hear you! To meet the schedules of parents and the preferences of our riders, we’re offering 3.5-hour camps that run from 9:00 to 12:30 pm. These camps will be available alternating weeks throughout the summer, running Monday through Thursday.
Elk Rapids - Veterans’ Memorial Park
Norte is hosting 3.5-hour camps in Elk Rapids from 6/24 to 6/27 and 7/22 to 7/25. Both sessions will host 1st-3rd and 4th-5th grade teams. Veterans’ Memorial Park is located at 410 River St., Elk Rapids, MI 49629.
4 Hour Camps - $250
Most summer bike camp locations will offer a traditional four-hour day camp Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. This is the traditional half-day schedule most campers (and parents) love!
Bike and More Sessions - $355
Our Bike and More programs combine the core elements of our traditional bike camps with an added experience at several Norte partners. Kids pick up skills at other active activities that don’t fall into most school curriculums, creating opportunities to discover new interests for life.
Shredventure! - $375
Both options run 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and are limited to 7th-10th graders
Intro to Shredventure - $375
One of our most popular sessions in 2023 was Shredventure, but not all riders were ready. Enter the Intro! Intro to Shredventure serves as a bridge between our normal bike camps and the more rugged and adventurous Shredventure experience. Each team is designed to pick up trail riding skills in new places thanks to expert coaches and a more low-key pace.
Advanced Shredventure - $375
Already shredding? Skip the Intro and dial it up to Advanced! Expect longer, gnarlier rides for kids who put in the miles and smiles outside of summer camp, usually through our Spring, Fall, or Race Team programs.
Friday Bike Mechanic Classes
Cap off a bike week on the bike with some basic maintenance and repair skills! Join Chief Mechanic Tyler Wituszyski for two hours of in-depth, hands-on bike repair lessons at The Wheelhouse. Every week, we will specifics like how to inspect your bike, lube a chain, clean your bike, and fix a flat. We’ll alternate between two age groups, 1st-5th grade and 6th-12th grade weekly.
All classes meet 10:00 am-12:00 pm and cost $35 per class.
1st-5th Grade Mechanic Class Dates
June 21, 10am-12pm
July 12, 10am-12pm
July 26, 10am-12pm
August 9, 10am-12pm
6th-12th Grade Mechanic Class Dates
June 28, 10am-12pm
July 19, 10am-12pm
August 2, 10am-12pm
August 16, 10am-12pm
What to Expect at Summer Bike Camp (Besides Fun!)
Summer bike campers explore their town on their bike and discover many beautiful places. In addition to making new friends, staying active, and having the best summer ever, young riders learn:
How to bike safely and follow the rules of the road.
How to map out safe routes in your community.
How to make basic bike repairs and other maintenance skills.
How to handle their bike on natural surfaces trail.
Summer bike camp may include light off-road riding on fun trails close to our starting points. As their experience grows, young riders may also ride up to 10 miles in the morning. Put your child in a position to succeed with a healthy breakfast, water in their water bottle, and plenty of snacks in their bags.
Ready for the Ride
For your child to have a successful camp experience, they need to be able to ride age-appropriate distances. Our staff and coaches spend plenty of time placing riders in the right teams. As a rule of thumb, your child should be able to comfortably ride the following distances.
1st-2nd grade: 3-4 miles
3rd-4th grade: 5-6 miles
5th-6th grade: 7-10 miles
7-12th grade: 11-20 miles
Please note that registration for any given week of camp closes the week prior. Please plan your registration accordingly.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Thanks to our generous donors and sponsors, Norte is proud to provide youth scholarships to ensure that all families can participate in our programs.
We encourage families to apply for scholarships prior to registering at Scholarship Application.
No bike? No problem. We have program bikes available for participants who need one. You can also check out a bike for the long term through our Bike Library.
COACHES WANTED!
Norte Youth Cycling seeks passionate, positive, and dedicated individuals to join our coaching team. As a coach, you will work with a small squad of young riders, focusing on motivating and mentoring them and ensuring their safety and well-being. Experience coaching is not required. We provide training for all coaches.
If you are passionate about helping children stay active and learn to ride bikes—and are ready for some fun—we want to hear from you. Let’s go, coach!
Cancellation Policy?
Weather Related Cancellations
For Summer Bike Camp, Shredventure, & Race Team programming, Norte will communicate any cancellations or delays no later than 6:30 AM the morning of the session.
4 and 6-hour Summer Camps, Shredventure, and Race Team programs may have a maximum delayed start of two hours. Notification of a delayed start will be communicated to parents and coaches no later than 6:30 am.
Programs under 4 hours will not be delayed, they will be canceled.
Cancellations Initiated by the Parent, Guardian, or Participant
Norte will issue a 100% refund (minus a $10 service fee) for cancellations made 30 days before the program or camp session start date.
Norte will issue a 75% refund for cancellations made 20 days before the program or camp session start date.
Norte will issue a 50% refund for cancellations made 14 days before the program or camp session date.
Norte will not issue a refund for cancellations made within 13 days of the program or camp session start date.
Cancellations Initiated by State or Local Authorities (e.g., COVID19, Emergency)
Norte will issue a 100% refund (minus a $10 service fee) if a program or event cannot begin due to State or local policies.
Norte will issue a prorated refund (minus a $10 service fee) if State or local policies prohibit the continuation of a program.