For 20 years, Dirt Camp has been a source of good, clean fun for kids.
The longest-operating mountain bike camp in Canada has opened in Bromont and campers are learning to use dirt jumps, tracks and mountain trails safely, under the supervision of coaches and staff.
“The first night is a lot of drills, drills on grass, front brake, back brake, standing, sitting,” said camp director Jeff Silas. “All the basics, but in a controlled environment.”
The camp has changed over its two decades, with more of a focus on avoiding injuries.
“Terrain has evolved, bikes have evolved, our approach has evolved,” said Silas. “We’re so safety-oriented now. We don’t want injuries.”
Campers wear safety gear that’s appropriate for whichever setting they’re biking in, including helmets, kneepads and gloves.
Some of the campers aren’t just honing their skills, but learning to be instructors themselves.
While most campers are male, that’s changing.
“We get anywhere from three to five girls a season, which is great,” said Silas. “We love having the girls around.”
