Transcript of our interview with Marjorie,

What’s unique about Pedalheads camp?

I think she was really excited to start riding a bike. Initially we joined with friends and they were all at the same level: they were still on training wheels. And I was actually really intrigued because a lot of other parents said that by the end of the week, the kids would be on a two-wheeler. And I was like, in one week? 

She's actually been to Pedalheads three times—three different camps. But when we did the first one, she was four and it was only half a day, so I said, “oh, in half a day? What can they really do in one week?” But, wow, after the first day, we went to pick her up and the training wheels were off. Like, my husband and I were just… our minds were blown. [Laughs]. This is the first day—the first half day of her camp.

I love how it's just, like, focused on learning with the bikes. My husband rides his bike a lot, so bike safety is important for us. So I like how it was just focused on the bikes and that they learned to ride. That's the best part.

Was this your child’s first experience with camp?

The first year, she loved it so much and we were so impressed. And then the second year, she moved up a level. And then this third year, yes, she kept moving up because there's so many levels that they can go. This past summer they took them on the roads and, yeah, she was more advanced. So it was really good.

Was there any change or noticeable personal growth you saw in your child after time at camp?

Yes. I think because we've done it for three summers, we can see that she's grown to love biking. And Pedalheads has a lot to do with that.

Her first camp, again, she was still on training wheels, and …  she was learning how to ride a two-wheeler. But I love that these past two summers in the more advanced camps, as she's moved up, they integrate the safety aspect, and there's a lot of emphasis on that.

And this past summer there was the pandemic. And as long as she would be outside, we felt comfortable sending my daughter to Pedalheads—because they were outside, which we loved, and because their protocols were really consistent and very clear. Communication from Pedalheads camp to the parents. 

There was, like, a big change from when she was four, and now she's almost eight. So yeah, she's learned a lot from Pedalheads, and we're so grateful. 

I think as parents, there's not as much knowledge and emphasis on road safety: proper signaling and all of the safety aspects. So I think for us, that was hands down the best for her. And had we just taught her on our own, I don't think she would learn all of those things that she's already learned. 

How can a parent support their child to get the most out of this camp?

It's not easy to learn to ride a bike. And I think a part of why we were so intrigued to enroll her into Pedalheads is because then she could feel like she's doing it on her own. It's different with us. We can teach her. But riding a bike is hard. It's not easy, especially when they're a little bit younger. It's something that takes time and patience.

I think that not being afraid to get on the bike is a good start, especially when they're little. Like, Avery was only four, right. But she had already been on her bike a lot. But I can see how it could be a little bit intimidating or scary for a younger one who's never really had experience on a bike.

And I think [it helps] to encourage them, [that] they're going to be around other kids who are also on the same level. I think if it was like a mixed level, that would be so tough for the kids. But Pedalheads is so good at making sure that they're all on the same level. So I think parents can encourage their kids, [and tell them]: “There's going to be other kids there, and you're going to be all on the same level. You're learning all at the same pace.” And that gets them excited, right? Like, it's not mum and dad, it's camp—so it's exciting anyways.

And I think with a skill like learning to ride a bike—in my experience with Avery—it's like she kind of needs the encouragement that nobody is ahead of you or they're not too little. She wants to know that we're all starting at the same time. We're all learning the same skills together.

What does your child say about Pedalheads?

She loves it. We did it three summers in a row, right? So every spring, when we're looking to enroll her for things in summer, we always ask her, “what would you like to do?” And these past three summers, she said, yes, “I want to go back to Pedalheads.” So she loves it, and she loves riding her bike. Not every kid likes everything, but she loves her bike. 

And then this year, because she was older, we weren't sure if she wanted to do it. But she said, “Mummy, I think I'm going to be able to go on the roads now with my instructor.” So she's like—that was exciting. So on the days they would go on the roads and through trails, that was her favorite part. She'd always come back and be like, “we went out today!” She's like, “I did my signals!” She's really excited when she gets to use her signals on the road. [Laughs]. So, yeah, she loved it.

What would you say to any prospective parents looking into this program?

We did the one-week session when Avery was still on training wheels. And it was Monday to Friday, I believe ,and only half a day. But I feel like they do a bike parade at the end and that's the best part. Because on the Monday they're still on training wheels but by the Friday they're in the bike parade. And I think with that age group when they're just learning—and if they have no prior experience with being on a two-wheeler—it's the best camp, because it's so rewarding for everybody. Especially for the kids.

Even my husband was like, this is the best camp. Because, again, it's not easy to teach your kid to ride a bike. It's not easy, right? it takes time. And I just love the concept that by the end of the week, they're going to be riding a two-wheeler. It's fantastic. For the little kids that are still on training wheels, this is their introduction to it. I think it's great.

And they don't just do biking. Like, they do have little breaks in between. There are rainy days because it's mainly outside. And on the rainy days, they have other activities they can do.

So it's fun. It's not just about riding the bike. And I think they would get the kids excited for the bike parade—which was like the best part.They would decorate their bikes. And one day they had a bike wash, which was great. Like, they got the water out, which is perfect in the summer. So it's fun. It's so much fun.

Final thoughts?

I love that it's so different. It's such a different type of camp. The instructors are amazing. We've had a couple of instructors that were the same from the year before. 

And the instructors are fantastic. They're really great. They've really done a good job of interviewing and choosing their instructors. Because, again, like I said, it's not easy. It's not an easy thing: we tried to teach her how to ride a bike and it was like—it's hard. So, you know, it's a lot of patience and fun and they still make it fun. So the instructors are fantastic. And we just love that. It's just a different type of camp. Not your typical day camp. And it's outside. We love that it's outside. So yeah—overall, so great. 

We're going to get my son [involved], actually. And my son is only two. So he'll be younger than she was when she started. And I think they do a [coed] bike camp, so we'll get him in this summer. He'll be three, so it'll be interesting to see what they do with the really little ones. 

But it's so good for confidence building, because the kids see that they've already done that on day one, that their training wheels are off on day one .It's so good for confidence building and for them to be like, like, I can do this. And then it pushes them to the Friday, and then they're riding a two-wheel. It's awesome.