The Leavenworth Youth Achievement Center, in cooperation with Santa Fe Trails Bicycle Shop and philanthropist Matt Nowak have created a local chapter of Trips for Kids.  Operating in the United States, Canada and Israel, Trips for Kids (TFK) has opened the world of cycling to over 50,000 at-risk youth through mountain bike rides and Earn-A-Bike programs. 

 

Trips for Kids is a unique program that allows children from downtown Leavenworth an opportunity to ride trails on a weekly basis.  Our program has 8 children and 6 adult volunteers.  We started with a bicycle safety class, bicycle inspection and bicycle repair program.  The children were given bicycle "licenses" at the first session.  Subsequently, we have taken the kids on rides from the Youth Achievement Center in downtown Leavenworth. 

 

The rides have become progressively longer.  Before each ride we reemphasize bicycle safety and inspect the bicycles.  The children have become better cyclists and their bicycles are now in a higher state of repair.  As the group became more competent,  we sought out new challenges.  On November 11, 2009 we took the group to the Lawrence River Trail.  The children and the volunteers were challenged by this 9.5 mile single track.  We are expecting some new bicycles from the TREK Bicycle company and look forward to spring when we will continue our cycling program. 

 

Blare Gann age 11 is part of TFK and rode the Lawrence River trail.  "It's awesome.  You get to ride every week with a whole group.  I like going places that we would not normally go."  Riders from the nonprofit group Leavenworth Youth Achievement Center (YAC) learn personal responsibility, achievement and environmental awareness through the development of practical skills, and the simple act of having fun.  The staff from the YAC, Santa Fe Trails and volunteers lead kids on exciting bike rides.  Children whose lives are otherwise centered on video games and television learn motivation, responsibility and basic skills.

 

For more information about participation next spring in Trips for Kids, contact the Leavenworth Youth Achievement Center at (913) 682-8222.

 

www.tripsforkids.org/index.htm