SAMBA is excited to announce mountain bike skills camps coming to the “Trails and Trees Environmental Center” in Mechanicsburg, PA.
In partnership with Mechanicsburg Area Parks and Recreation and Buch Bikes LLC, Jessica Buch of SAMBA will be hosting several introduction to mountain biking camps. Part of the proceeds from this event will be donated to support SAMBA and its mission. All camps are co-ed and open to all ability levels. Participants should, however, already be able to ride a bike. “Open” camps are open to participants ages 17 +, “Youth” camps will be open to participants ages 13 – 16, and “Kids” camps will be open to participants ages 9-12. Age groups will be posted with their respective dates on the registration website.
Registration opens on April 1st. Click here to register
Camp Descriptions:
Intro to MTB Level 1 Full-Day Camp
In the level one Intro to MTB camp, you’ll learn the proper riding positions (neutral and ready), we’ll work on brake control, controlling skids, and shifting to maintain cadence. We cover an intro to corning and talk about trail scanning and line choice. The first half of the day is spent working on skill and running drills in an open grass area. After a lunch break, we wrap up drills before heading onto the trail to apply our new tools. We’ll stop along the ride to discuss and practice. This class will set up new riders with the foundational skills needed to ride with confidence and is great for beginners to intermediate riders who want to refine their fundamentals.
Full Day Camp Cost:
Level 1: $150 for MAPR residents, $160 non-resident
6 Person Max
2 Person Min
4 Hour Camp + 30-minute lunch break
Intro to MTB Level 2 Full-Day Camp
In the level two Intro to MTB camp, we briefly recap riding position before working on wheel lifts including front wheel lift, rear wheel lift, pedaling wheel lift, and level wheel lift. We will also work on riding roll downs, cornering with flow, slow, tight turns, and climbing seated. The first half of the day is spent working on skill and running drills in an open grass area. After a lunch break, we wrap up drills before heading onto the trail to apply our new tools. We’ll stop along the ride to discuss and practice. This class is the next step for new riders to build even more confidence and helps beginner to intermediate riders hit the trail with more flow and control.
Full Day Camp Cost:
Level 2: $156 for MAPR residents, $166 non-resident
6 Person Max
2 Person Min
4 Hour Camp + 30-minute lunch break
Intro to Mountain Bike Mini-Camps
Mini Camps can be taken individually or as a series and are great for new riders who want to learn a little at a time in a smaller group setting. Mini camps are also a great option for intermediate riders or those who have taken a Day Camp and want to recap specific skills.
The Basics
The Basics mini-camp covers proper riding positions, brake control, controlling skids, shifting to maintain cadence, and an intro to corning with confidence.
Tackling Tricky Terrain
Tackling Tricky Terrain mini camp covers proper riding positions, trail scanning and line choice, climbing seated, and slow tight turns.
Cornering with Confidence
Cornering mini camp covers proper riding positions in turns, looking through, leaning the bike, pointing the body, and slow tight turns.
Wheel Lifts
The Wheel Lifts mini camp covers proper riding positions, front wheel lifts, rear wheel lifts, level lifts, pedaling lifts, and roll downs and when and how to apply these lifts on the trail.
Mini Camps Cost:
$78 resident MAPR and $88 non-resident per person, per mini-camp
*Kids mini camps do not include Wheel Lifts camp.
4-Person max 2- person min
2-Hour Camp
Items Needed for all camps:
Participants should arrive 15 minutes early to unload and should provide their own lunch, water, and snacks. Participants should come with a mountain bike in good working condition, preferably with flat pedals, a helmet that fits well, any other protective gear they feel comfortable riding in, closed-toe shoes, and athletic clothing. They should also consider sunscreen, bug spray, and sunglasses.
