Dirt Camp New England is a 7-day mountain biking program offering a wonderful summer experience. 

This trip will consist of off road riding on a single track and jeep trails in a mountainous region that will offer exciting and challenging terrain for riders. These trips are not spectator sports.  Dirt Camp trips are designed to be exciting and rewarding experiences.  Participants will be part of a small group living together and participating in challenging activities.  Following the precepts of experiential education, bikers will be actively involved in decision making, leadership, meal preparation, clean-up and route finding.  Participants will be asked to set goals for themselves and the group.  To achieve those goals, a commitment to be a positive team member is required.  One program element that is non-negotiable is individual and group safety;  inappropriate or unsafe behavior will be dealt with swiftly by the trip leaders.

Group Size

All programs run with a minimum of 6 and no more than 10 participants and two adult staff members.  All programs are offered as co-ed, with one male and one female staff member assigned to each group. This small group allows for full group participation, interaction and decision-making, as well as individual instruction.  All biking will be done as a group.

Transportation

We travel in passenger vans for all of our programs.   The trip will begin at our pick-up location at Branchville Elementary School in Ridgefield, CT.  Please contact the office in advance if you would like to arrange an alternate pick-up location.

What is provided by The Mountain Workshop

All meals (except first day lunch), all camping and program equipment (except bikes, helmets, and locks), all fees and transportation are provided.

Accommodations

We will be staying in campgrounds, sleeping in single gender 3 or 4 person tents.  The tents will be provided by The Mountain Workshop.  Campers will need to provide their own sleeping bag and sleeping pad.  With advance notice, rental of a Mountain Workshop sleeping bag and pad can be arranged for $25, due on the program's first day.

Pre-Trip Training Program

Our trips are meant to be fun, but they will also be somewhat of a physical challenge.  This high intensity program has been designed for beginner to advanced riders.  To get the most enjoyment from your trip, it is important for participants to be in proper physical condition.  Even if the rider considers themselves to be a beginner, they need to be in good physical condition.  Past experience has shown that the "fun factor" of this trip is directly related to the fitness of the participant.

Mountain bike trip participants should start off by riding a few miles two or three days a week and gradually increase distance until they can cycle the average daily distance of the trip.  The trip's average daily distance is 25 miles off road, but this may include extended climbs.

Participant Commitment

For most programs, previous experience is not necessary.  Attitude is everything! The bike trip is designed to be age-appropriate and instruction regarding safe riding techniques will be provided.

Reasonable physical condition and a desire to participate is needed.

All participants share in The Mountain Workshop's Contract, agreeing to work individually and as a group towards goals set together, to adhere to behavior and safety rules and to give and receive feedback during daily "Group" meetings.  The group provides the opportunity to share insights, concerns, plans, successes, difficulties and appreciations.

Finally, unsafe or inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated.  With a serious infraction, parents are called. The camper, counselors, and parents will discuss the situation and if the unsafe behavior continues, parents will be asked to pick up their children without compensation.

Safety

Safety is our primary consideration at all times. It is the bottom line in all decisions regarding the outdoors. While outdoor activities do entail certain risks, we greatly reduce the chances of injury with strict guidelines and thorough instruction. Our staff is certified in First Aid, CPR, Lifeguard and/or Waterfront Lifeguard, Wilderness First Aid, and all are trained in the safety aspects of the activities according to the industry standards. We are extremely proud of our excellent safety record.