Big White mountain biking camp helps disadvantaged kids get outdoors | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Kelowna News

Big White mountain biking camp helps disadvantaged kids get outdoors

Image Credit: Elevation Outdoors

BIG WHITE - Kelowna area youth from disadvantaged backgrounds are getting a chance to learn to mountain bike this summer through a program run between Big White Ski Resort and a local charity, Elevation Outdoors.

"We really do try to open our doors to young people from backgrounds that historically don’t have access or have limited access to these sports and try to be the gateway to getting more of them out," Elevation Outdoors executive director Mike Greer said in a media release. "Not everybody is represented and not everybody has equal opportunity to gain experience in the outdoors."

Proceeds from Elevation Outdoors four-day adult mountain biking camp and a youth camp, go toward funding the Live to Ride program the summer-long mountain bike for youth aged from 12 to 18 who otherwise would not have the opportunity to learn the sport.

Ten of the 12 spaces on the program are fully funded by grants, donations, and money from the camps. Offering youth such an opportunity can also lead to them returning to the program as volunteers.

Former participant 19-year-old William, who was in foster and unable to go to camp, spent two summers with the program and has now returned as a volunteer.

"Without [the program], there wouldn’t be a way for many kids to go and keep themselves busy in the summer and do things... bored kids generally lead to trouble," he said in the release.

"The participants don’t have to pay anything to come out. They have seven weeks of biking, and we provide the bikes and helmets – they just need to show up with clothes they’re comfortable in and closed toed shoes they can ride in," Greer said.

For more information go here.

A group ride with Live to Ride.
A group ride with Live to Ride.
Image Credit: Elevation Outdoors

Mike Greer (middle) executive director of Elevation Outdoors.
Mike Greer (middle) executive director of Elevation Outdoors.
Image Credit: Elevation Outdoors

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