I have very fond memories of riding my bike as a kid. Whether it was around the neighbourhood, to the corner store, or to a friends house, I used it often.
Mr. J has been riding a 2 wheeler for a year, and had training wheels on for the 2 summers previous. We passed on his first bike with training wheels to Mr. K this year, but he was having a lot of trouble with pedaling. He just didn't get how to get them going, and didn't realize that if he stopped, the bike would stop and he would have to start pedaling again.
Pedalheads is an organization for kids of all ages. Toddlers with ride on toys all the way up to experienced bikers learning to ride the trails.
Mr. K and I were invited to visit a mini-camp and meet some of the instructors involved with Pedalheads.
Dave, Ben, Cale and Kelsey were all great with the kids that were in attendance, and they even managed to get Mr. K pedaling on his own by the end of the hour that we were there (Mr. K probably would have been happy to stay all day if I had let him)
He went from this
to this
In addition to the quick lesson he had, they had a license plate station set up so the kids could make a license plate for their bikes!
Ottawa kids rejoice! Pedalheads® bike camp comes to you!
-- Say good-bye to training wheels forever! --
Ottawa ON, May 15, 2014 -- Pedalheads®, a children’s bike summer camp, opens its doors for Ottawa kids to learn to ride in a fun and safe environment. Local Ottawa children now have the opportunity to learn bike riding skills, like dropping their training wheels, at one of three Ottawa locations: Alta Vista, Nepean and Kanata.
Parents’ of four to six year old children are drawn to the Pedalheads® camps as the kids usually learn to ride on two wheels in just one short week. They offer camps for children ages 2-12 of all different skill levels with a 10 level program.
“Seeing the child’s face when they first ride on two wheels has always been my favourite part of camp”, said Ben Hall – Ontario Manager, “after that, watching the parent’s see their child ride is the next best thing.”
Children can register in morning, afternoon, short 45-minute sessions or even private lessons. The earliest program starts with Riding Rookies, a child and caregiver program, then Trikes and Trainers, a program aimed at three year olds to teach them to steer, stop and pedal. Once the child is four years old they can start the 10 level program starting with Newbees, who still ride with training wheels, and finishing with Crankheads who can do both a front and rear lift with their mountain bikes. Pedalheads® has something for every child to enjoy this summer.
“Pedalheads® aims to teach children how to ride safely on the road, in parks and around the neighbourhood but we also want kids to have an unforgettable experience and meet some great friends along the way”, says David O’Neill – Ottawa Manager.
About Pedalheads®
Traffic and densely populated urban areas make it difficult for parent’s to teach their kids to ride their bikes. Kids need the confidence to ride safely on the road, in parks and around the neighbourhood. The Pedalheads® bike camp experience provides children with the right environment, trained instructors and small groups to prepare children for the road - some as young as three can learn to ride without training wheels upon completion of camp. For more information about the program, go to pedalheads.com.
About Ben Hall
Ben joined the Pedalheads® team the summer of 2010, as a camp supervisor before he became the Ontario Manager. He oversees the growth of Pedalheads Toronto and GTA programs from five camp locations to 12 locations. Before joining Pedalheads®, Ben spent several summers working as a sports coach and camp counselor in the USA, and this was where he taught his first child's bike lesson.
About David O’Neil
Dave, born in Calgary but grew up in Ottawa, after spending a few years traveling, making it as far as India, he returned to Ottawa to study Recreation and Leisure at Algonquin College and is currently pursuing a postgraduate in Therapeutic Recreation. This is Dave’s first year with Atlantis Programs and Pedalheads®. In his free time Dave enjoys taking his two-year-old son to the park, going to the gym, and practicing martial arts. In the summer he loves to play ultimate Frisbee and he’s a loyal Ottawa Senators fan.
My 4 year old son would love this! I looks like so much fun!!!
ReplyDelete:) it was a lot! My oldest really wants to do one of the camps
DeleteThis looks so fun! What a great activity for kids!
ReplyDeleteI know! Thanks for stopping by
DeleteWow I wish there were bike camps when I was a kid!
ReplyDeleteme too! Would have been fun
DeleteWhat an exciting way to learn to ride a bike
ReplyDelete:) my kids are always more willing to listen to strangers than to me
DeleteLooks like a great activity for kids, would be ideal for any child learning to ride! (Judy Cowan)
ReplyDeletevery true!
DeleteWhat a great idea!! My little fella would love this. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome! thanks for visiting
DeleteBike camp?! What an amazing concept - I wish we had that where we lived!
ReplyDeleteI know, right. My oldest is really wanting to do one of the camps. He loves summer camp and riding his bike, what better than doing it together?
DeleteWhat a fun way to spend the afternoon! This is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteIt was a great morning for sure!
DeleteWow! That's such a cool idea! My little one would certainly enjoy this! It would be awesome if we had one on the Island!
ReplyDeleteNot sure if they will venture that way or not; this is the first year for them in Ottawa
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ReplyDeleteWhat a great program. I know many people who have used them in Toronto and have been thrilled! Looks like everyone had a great time!
ReplyDeleteThis looks and sounds like a great program for kids of all ages.I live in the US and wish they had something like this where I live.
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased that there are camps to help children of all ages learn how to ride their bicycles. It is not always to learn-I remember my own attempts and the bruises -and that was on a soft green lawn.Having them make their own licenses is a wonderful touch.
ReplyDeleteKudos to all children, instructors and parents who are so interested in having their child be safe while learning to ride properly.
My youngest grandson would benefit from this camp to bad there isn't one in Hamilton
ReplyDeletePoorly organized program. Lack of staff training. Zero customer service.
ReplyDeleteI would not recommend this organization
Why?
We purchased a week long level 4 session for our 7 year so that he would be safe on the road at the toronto beaches location. With his allowance money our son purchased a bell, which the MANAGER OF the beaches program installed on his bike.
While riding on the road he went to ring the bell and almost ended up under a car. After his near death experience we looked at the bell tgat we did not know was there ..... to find that the MANAGER OF the facility had installed the bell incorrectly. In order for our son to ring the bell he needed to take his left hand off the bike, move it to the right and while taking his eyes off the road he then could locate the ringer and ring the bell.
After bringing this issue to the company they decided that the correct solution for almost killing our son is to retrain their staff. Not to refund us for the program or even the bell. There answer from head office was .........
"We do not teach children to be unsafe or deter their attention from the road while riding.
"I apologize that your family had a scare in regards to your child using the bike bell, but this incident does not reflect the standard of the program, nor what we teach children at camp about safety and rules of the road.
As is such, I will not be refunding you for the program he attended."
YES.... it's true. They do not teach the kids to look away from the road. However, they install their own equipment improperly so that the child has no choice but to look away from the road and such almost go under oncoming traffic.
Poorly organized program. Lack of staff training. Zero customer service.
I would not recommend this organization.
I am so sorry to hear of this experience - how scary for you and your son. I do have to say that has not be the case for us. My children just attended a week of camp (finished yesterday) and the instructors were fantastic. My oldest was in level 4 and the road skills he picked up were amazing.
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