Girls Bike Camp 2026: Building Confidence, One Ride at a Time
This April school break, 12 young riders joined us for our 2026 Girls Bike Camp, a week dedicated to building confidence, skills, and joy on two wheels. Designed for girls ages 8 to 13, especially those with little or no prior experience, the camp created a space where every camper could feel supported, capable, and proud of what they accomplished.
At the start of the week, five campers did not yet know how to ride a bike. By the end, every single one of them was riding. Awesome, right? Watching those first wobbly pedals turn into confident rides along the Woonasquatucket River Greenway is what this program is all about.
Throughout the week, campers learned far more than just how to ride. They practiced safe cycling skills, explored the basics of bike maintenance, and spent time connecting with the river and surrounding watershed. Each day included group rides that built both skill and confidence, while helping campers feel more connected to the outdoors and their community.
This kind of growth does not happen without incredible people showing up to make it possible. A huge thank you goes to superstar volunteer camp counselor Stephanie Dyer, who dedicated all five days of camp to supporting our riders every step of the way. We were also lucky to have Gail Ruscetta from Bike Newport and longtime WRWC supporter Betty Bourret join us as volunteer counselors on Friday, bringing extra energy and encouragement to close out the week strong.
Midweek, campers got a special visit from Polly, who brought her passion for engineering and education to camp. As a civil engineer and educator, she led an engaging lesson on bridges, sparking curiosity and showing campers what is possible in STEM fields. Her enthusiasm for getting more women into engineering left a lasting impression.
Girls Bike Camp exists because too often, girls are told biking is not for them. We are here to say the opposite. Yes, it is. And more importantly, yes, you can.
By the end of the week, our campers left with new skills, stronger voices, and a sense of confidence that extends far beyond the bike. We cannot wait to see where they ride next.