2026 Summer Sessions with SUN Program a Success!
Summer of 2026 in Portland saw a new series of bike classes with the SUN Program’s summer camps! We met for six total sessions, each at two different schools, including Beaumont Middle School and Mt Tabor Middle School. Though the events were held at middle schools, the participating kids were 3rd-5th graders.
At Mt Tabor Middle School, we regularly had up to 20 kids sign up, so we split the time into two halves with 10 kids each. At Beaumont, we had a core group of 6 kids, with a few more coming and going throughout the summer, up to 10 per session. Our programming started in the respective playgrounds by fitting each kid with a loaner helmet and bike from our Trek fleet. We then ran through some basic skills instruction, playing games such as “Red Light Green Light” as braking drills and “Follow the Leader” with the kids taking turns as leader.
Sometimes we’d have different adventures for kids with varying skill levels – we even taught four kids to ride! It’s wonderful being able to provide this opportunity, bikes to use and helmets to wear for kids who don’t have that at home.
Then we’d organize a ride into the neighborhoods for a change of scenery from the playgrounds and practice with the rules of the road. From Beaumont Middle School, we visited Wilshire Park to enjoy its classic playground, and Khunamowsk Park, where the basalt columns and splash pad were a hit on a warm day!
These events were made possible in coordination with the SUN program, which offers after-school programming during the school year, and NWTA. We coaches, including Myles, Eric, Elaine, and volunteer Sue Brown, staffed the program on the NWTA side, along with support from the SUN staff. Hopefully we get to repeat this program next year. We will miss seeing the kids run out to meet us and their excitement for the riding!