Summer Camps FAQ

The foundation of all of our summer camps is to have a fun and safe time on two wheels. Campers will enjoy on and off-bike games and be able to improve their bike handling skills through a variety of engaging activities. Campers will also learn to ride as a group, use hand signals and learn how to keep themselves and others safe. Daily rides and games give campers the opportunity to practice new skills under the guidance and supervision of our experienced team.

Unfortunately, we do not off any before or after care. We know that makes our programming difficult for some families, but unfortunately we do not have the resources or capacity to offer extended care at this time.

Riding is definitely a focus at CBC Summer camps, however we do not spend our entire day on our bikes. In addition to snack and lunch breaks, our groups play on and off-bike games, participate in arts and crafts, and enjoy general silly and educational shenanigans. Our daily rides are tailored to our camper’s abilities, ages, and energy levels.

We’re happy to provide your camper with a bicycle for the week. Please send your request for a ‘loaner’ bike to Camp Director Ryan, ryany@cascade.org at least one week prior to the beginning of your camp session.

Cascade is also able to loan helmets to campers. Please include this request in your email.*Only while supplies last.

Safety is always our main focus within Cascade’s youth programming. We recommend the following steps for preparing for camp:

1. Schedule a ‘check up & tune up’ for your child’s bike at the local bike shop. No bike? Contact Camp Director Ryan, ryany@cascade.org to troubleshoot together.
2. Check that your child’s helmet is safe. See “How do you tell if a helmet is safe” FAQ.
3. Encourage your child to ride as much as possible before camp - to refresh their skills.
4. Does your child need to learn how to ride a bike? Visit our Learn 2 Ride page for more information. Your child must already know how to ride a bike to participate in our summer camps.

The Cascade Bicycle Club Summer Camps are for everyone, from novice to serious riders. Campers, however, must be comfortable with basic skills: how to start, stop, turn and ride in a controlled manner on a pedal bike without training wheels. If you child has recently learned to ride or is struggling, they may want to wait a year. If you have any questions, please contact us.

We require that campers are comfortable with basic skills: how to start, stop, turn and ride in a controlled manner on a pedal bike without training wheels. We require that all campers already know how to ride a bike before attending any of our camp programs. Cascade Bicycle Club offers a stellar ‘Learn 2 Ride’ program for youth and adults interested in learning how to ride a bike for the first time. We recommend our Learn 2 Ride course first, before enrolling in our camp programs.

We offer overnight storage for camper bicycles and helmets. Our overnight storage is located right next to our two camp locations and is secure. Storage is available for all campers - no early communication needed.

Helmets are “one-hit-wonders”. If a helmet sustains any impact from a crash it needs to be replaced. An impacted helmet is less likely to protect the user in a future crash.

Helmet materials degrade over time. Helmet manufacturers recommend replacing helmets every three to five years. Check the manufacturing date located inside of your helmet.

Check out our ‘Helmets’ page for more information on properly fitting a helmet.

We don't have an exact age cut off, as long as your child has been within the camp age at some point this calendar year. Some important questions to consider when choosing a session for your child are:

• What is your child’s energy, stamina, and engagement typically like?
• How does your child do in social situations with kids of different ages? Do they typically prefer being with kids slightly older? Slightly younger? No preference?
• At other camps, where have you seen your child thrive?

It is important to us that our campers learn about developing group rides which are inclusive and enjoyable to all riders - meaning that we don't have to go super fast, or super far, to have a fun time.

Our team is excellent at gauging our campers abilities and supporting the diverse array of riders we attract.

Thanks to community member donations, Cascade Bicycle Club (CBC) is able to provide a limited number of financial scholarships to qualified families. The sliding scale for financial assistance uses the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) income guidelines for King County. Cascade does not provide scholarships within the cities of Shoreline or Redmond, but financial assistance may be available from those cities directly.

CBC is a non-profit and aims to remove financial barriers as much as possible for our youth participants. We appreciate your honesty and transparency in the application process.

Once complete - our Camp Administrator will be notified and will contact you directly regarding your application. Interested in applying? Please complete the online application.

Non-members can register for rides and events, participate in Free Group Rides, and receive our bi-weekly newsletter, Braking News. In addition to these benefits, Premium and Champion members enjoy discounts on camps, voting rights, annual membership meetings, and special pro-deals and discounts with bicycle friendly businesses. We recommend the premium family membership for our camp families! Learn more.

Refund Policies:

• Camp registrations are non-transferable, meaning registration cannot be transferred to another person.
• Camp registrations are non-deferrable to another ride or a future year.
• All camp registrations purchased within a month of program start are non-refundable.
• Cancellations must be received at least one month before the camp start date to receive a refund, minus a $25.00 cancellation fee.

How to request a refund:

• Sign In to your online account
• Click "My Account" in the blue bar (top-right corner)
• Click the "My Activities" tab (here you will see all upcoming rides, tours, and/or classes/camps you have purchased)
• Click the "My Order" (across to the right of the applicable camp registration)
• Click "Request Refund" link (across to the right of the applicable registration or add-on line item)
• Click the red "Request Refund" box to complete the submission

*Note: You will know you have successfully completed your request when the status shows "Requested".

Please read:

The refund will be processed to the original credit card; we cannot credit another card. A refund will find a new card issued in place of a lost/stolen/expired card. If a card's account is totally closed, please call the issuing company of the closed card to learn their policies regarding refunds to the closed account. We will not know the answer regarding your credit card. (However, in all likelihood, the issuing bank of the closed account will issue a check to you.)

Refund requests may take up to 10 days to be processed. We will email you when the request has been processed. Please request all refunds on each item that you would like processed. We will not request the refunds for you. This process does not apply if you registered through the city of Shoreline.

Families will not be prorated for missed days of camp.

Please remember that due to the nature of our programming, campers may not miss the first or second day of camp. The beginning of each week is important for group/team development, and staff assessments of each child’s social and physical needs. We use the two first days of our programming to better understand how to tailor the week to individual and group needs. Additionally during the first two days campers learn important safety methods for group riding that set the foundation for our week.

We’re glad you asked! Check out our Parent/Guardian and Family Manual for more information about our programs, how to come prepared, and other important information.

Still have lingering questions? Feel free to contact us!

Before camp begins, all families are emailed a copy of our Summer Camp Medical Form. We request that families arrive on the first day of camp with this document fully completed for each participating child.

Summer Camp Medical Form

The information provided on the medical form allows our staff to take the best care of your child/ren. Information provided is kept confidential and only shared with Medical Personnel in the case of a serious injury. Safety is our number one priority. All Cascade Camp Staff keep copies of all camper medical information with them at all times.

If your child uses an inhaler or Epipen​, please be sure your camper brings it each and every program day. They will not be able to attend camp without it.

Camp staff may not administer routine medications to campers. If a camper needs to self-administer medication during camp, please notify camp staff ahead of time and provide detailed instructions and background information. In the case of emergency, camp staff will assist the camper in the administering of medication (such as an Epipen) when necessary.