About Summer Ride
What better way to spend those long summer days than ripping and shredding at America’s Bike Park? Learn to shred the mountain from Highland Camps’ expertly trained coaches during one of our five three-day Summer Ride sessions. Our Summer Ride sessions are designed to introduce riders to Highland Camps, and help them feel prepared for the more rigorous Ayr Academy.
Summer Ride is a multi-day camp for youth ages 8 to 13 who are interested in downhill mountain biking. We offer both day camp and overnight options. Campers of all abilities will learn new skills, develop more confidence, make new friendships, and take their riding to the next level. Riders have the opportunity to focus on specific freeride and downhill skills with an emphasis on safety and rider etiquette.
Details:
- Located at Highland Mountain Bike Park in Northfield, NH — an hour and a half drive north of Boston
- All-inclusive overnight camp: food, lodging, transportation, lift tickets, instruction, and lifetime memories
- Overnight and day camp options available
- For campers ages eight to thirteen
Highland Mountain Bike Park Facilities:
- Many premier lift-access trails, ranging from beginner to pro lines
- Multiple skill-building areas
- Multiple jump parks
- 50X50ft Ayr Bag
- HTC (9,100 square foot indoor facility)
Accommodations:
Off the mountain, the quality camp experience continues!
Summer Ride partners with a local private academy to provide camper accommodations at the Tilton School. The campus is located a short van trip from Highland Mountain. Campers will live in the Summer Ride dormitory and have access to top-notch school facilities including the gym, dining hall, basketball court, sports fields, lounges, and more.
Food & Beverage:
The Summer Ride overnight camp price includes three meals a day, beverages and snacks. Breakfast and dinner will be served in the school’s dining facility.
Plate/bag lunches will be served to all campers slope-side at Highland Mountain in a designated camp dining area.
Activities:
When not riding on the mountain or in the HTC there’s plenty of off-slope entertainment. Can’t sit still? Jump into one of many camp games, knockout, or foam pit drop sessions. Campers will be able to kick back in one of the school’s lounges equipped with pool tables, ping pong, foosball, and air hockey.
Make sure you come to camp well rested!
Frequently Asked Questions:
What does a typical day look like?
8:00am–8:30am — Breakfast at the school dining hall*
8:45am–9:00am — Bus over to Highland Mountain*
9:30am–12:00pm —Riding skill of the day instruction
12:00pm–1:00pm — Lunch break at Highland
1:00pm–5:00pm — Ride Mountain
5:30pm–5:45pm — Bus back to school*
6:00pm–7:00pm — Dinner at school dining hall*
7:00pm–9:00pm — Evening activity/downtime*
9:00pm — Bed time*
* Overnight campers only
Overnight campers return to Highland on Tuesday nights for games and riding. There will always be a group participating in non-riding games or downtime for campers too tired to ride.
Schedule subject to change based on weather and participants.
Do I have to be an expert rider?
You don’t have to be an expert rider
We welcome all riding levels. Highland Mountain offers trails for a full spectrum of abilities. We’ve hosted first-timers to advanced riders with years of experience. Our coaching staff is trained to evaluate campers and group them into instruction groups based on ability levels, so every camper gets the attention they need to progress.
Practice makes perfect
Most of the Highland campers are intermediate riders who just want to improve their skills, learn to catch some air, or hit a famous drop at Highland. Every morning coaches focus on a valuable fundamental skill in a small-group setting, then work on dialing those skills throughout the day.
Cell Phone Policy
We would prefer that campers do not bring cell phones with them to camp. If your child does choose to bring their cell phone, it will be checked in with their counselor upon arrival. Phones will be kept secured and locked in their counselor’s room, and may be signed out for use during designated hours in the evening, certain nights a week.
Packing List
All campers should bring the following:
- Full-suspension bike for downhill riding*
- Dirt jumper (optional)
- Full-face helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads* (mandatory)
- Riding gear: goggles, gloves, jerseys, shorts, appropriate footwear
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
Overnight campers should also pack:
- Street clothes
- Bedding (twin-sized bed)
- Towel(s)
- Toiletries
- Fan (a box fan will fit comfortably in the dorm windows)
- Padlock to secure personal items in the dorms or Highland’s lockers (optional)
Any camper with medication must bring their medication with them to the Camp Health Center at check-in. All medications must be in their original container with a clear and legible prescription from a doctor.
Do NOT bring any of the following:
- Energy drinks
- Weapons of any kind
- Drugs, alcohol, or related paraphernalia
- Tablets, laptops, gaming systems, or other electronics
*Bikes and safety equipment are all available to be rented. Find more information here and feel free to contact us with any questions.
What if I have a special diet?
We can accommodate many dietary needs. Meals always have a vegetarian option. On your enrollment forms, there will be space to describe in as much detail as possible any dietary needs. Please contact us with any questions.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation of a camp up to 30 days prior to camp session start will be refunded less a $100 cancellation fee. All cancellations must be submitted in writing to Highland Mountain Bike Park. Cancellations made by phone will not be accepted.
Highland Mountain Bike Park reserves the right to cancel a participant’s enrollment for lack of payment, required camp forms or for failure to comply with the standards of conduct. If a participant does not complete the program, for any reason including personal injuries, friends early departure, bicycle failure, weather or distress, his or her tuition will NOT be reimbursed.
Cancellations within 30 days of arrival will not be refunded.
2021 SUMMER RIDE SESSION DATES
Session 1: July 4-7
Session 2: July 11-14
Session 3: July 18-21
Session 4: July 25-28
Session 5: August 1-4
2020 SUMMER RIDE PRICING
All pricing is based on a single three-day session.
BASE CAMP PRICE …………………………………. $575*
Monday-Wednesday. Includes lunch.
*Enroll for multiple sessions and receive a 10% discount off your Base Camp Price!
OVERNIGHT ADD-ON ……………………………. + $375
Sunday evening-Wednesday evening. Includes lodging, meals, and transportation.
KIDS RENTAL BIKE ADD-ON ………………..… + $165
For riders under 5′ tall. Includes full-face helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads.
ADULT BIKE RENTAL ADD-ON ……………..… + $306
For riders over 5′ tall. Includes full-face helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT RENTAL ADD-ON …… + $36
Safety equipment rental only. Includes full-face helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads.
Overnight campers are dropped off the Sunday late afternoon prior to camp, and picked up Wednesday evening. A more detailed schedule will be provided in the camp welcome letter.
A full-face helmet, knee and elbow pads are required to ride at camp. Full suspension bikes are recommended but hardtails are acceptable.
Enrollment is currently CLOSED.
HIGHLAND CAMPS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
2019 was the first year of the Highland Camps Scholarship program. Our goal each year is to be able to assist a larger selection of young mountain bikers in financial need with the opportunity of a lifetime. >>LEARN MORE HERE
Parent Info
Here at Highland, we understand how important choosing a summer camp experience is for you and your family. That’s why we’re here to help make the adventure-seeking a little easier.
Highland Mountain Summer Camps offer multi-day and overnight programs for youth with a focus on mountain biking. There’s no need to be intimidated, we cater to all rider abilities. Whether a first timer on a bike or near pro, we can accommodate.
And the fun doesn’t end on the mountain. When not riding, campers have the freedom to relax in the camp lounges or participate in other activities such as dodgeball, basketball, pool, ping pong, and more.
We strive to select coaches and staff that ascribe to our values and want to spend as much time at camp as the campers. All our camp staff brings youth camp experience to the table along with CPR/first aid and Highland Camps training. On top of that, our coaches are respected professionals in the mountain bike industry; they have a vast knowledge of the sport and what it takes to succeed.
Take a tour of the site and feel free to contact us with any questions at camps@highlandmountain.com
Thanks for stopping by,
Dave Smutok
Highland Camps Director
SAFETY ◆ FUN ◆ LEARNING
At Highland Camps safety is our highest priority, both physical and emotional. We have gone to great lengths to ensure that everyone on and off the mountain not only feels secure but that they are protected by our strict protocol.
Medical/First Aid
In the base area, we have a full-service nurses office dedicated to camp and able to address injuries, illnesses, and regular medication administration. Highland Mountain has a Patrol team on duty at all times campers are riding the park. Patrollers are well training in emergency response and rescue throughout the park. Everyone at Highland — staff, public, and campers — are constantly under the watchful eye of Highland Patrol.
Supervision
Highland Camps staff-to-camper ratio ensures a high degree of safety. Campers are always accompanied by coaches or counselors on the hill, in the dorms, on the camp shuttles, and during evening activities.
- Coach-to-camper ratio is 1:6
- Counselor-to-camper ratio is 1:10
Camp Safety & Rules
From the moment campers arrive, our staff of experienced coaches and camp counselors ensures they are having a safe and fun experience. We do this by maintaining a strict safety protocol along with:
- Low camper-to-coach ratio
- 24/7 adult supervision
- Highly trained Patrol staff
- Full-service First Aid Base
- NO drugs or alcohol
- NO weapons, violence or abusive language
- NO theft or vandalism
- NO bullying
- NO aggressive and dangerous behavior
- Campers are not allowed to leave camp boundaries
Campers are expected to follow both Tilton School and Highland Mountain Bike Park rules and treat everyone at camp with courtesy and respect. Rules are strictly enforced, and violations will result in parent notifications and potential camper expulsion. If your camper is expelled from camp they will be removed from all activities and a immediate action for pick up must be communicated.
Coaching
The Highland coaching staff comes from varied backgrounds – including everything from classically trained musicians to childhood development majors. They are all amazingly talented riders and passionate about sharing their knowledge of the sport with new riders.
Camp begins every Monday with a skills assessment and goal evaluation. Campers are then broken up into groups based upon their skill set and riding goals. A 1:6 coach-to-camper ratio helps maximize safety and ensure a great camp experience.
Arrival information
Campers traveling by car should arrive on Sunday of their camp session at Highland Mountain Bike Park at 4pm for bikes and riding gear check-in. After gear drop off, campers and parents should head to Tilton School with the rest of their luggage for final check-in 4pm – 5pm. Once at Tilton School, campers will check into their rooms and say their goodbyes. Camp will start at 5pm with camper orientation and a welcome dinner at 6pm
Departure information
Camper pickup is at 10:00am at Tilton School on Saturday following their session. Once room checkout is complete parents and campers make their way to Highland for final checkout and bike pickup. There is no camper signout without a parent or guardian present. Campers are not allowed to sign themselves out early and ride Saturday. They are able to ride Saturday once checked out by a parent/guardian.
Campers traveling by air will be dropped off at their airport 1.5–2 hours before their scheduled flight time.
Traveling by Air?
Airline Travel Info
Campers traveling by air can fly into either of these two airports, shuttle fees apply.
Manchester Logan Airport (MHT) in Manchester NH, 35 min away – $50/round trip
Boston Logan Airport (BOS) in Boston MA, 1.5 hours away – $100/round trip
What does a typical day look like?
8:00am–8:30am — Breakfast at the school dining hall
8:45am–9:00am — Bus over to Highland Mountain
9:30am–12:00pm — Riding skill of the day instruction
12:00pm–1:00pm — Lunch break at Highland
1:00pm–5:00pm — FreeRide Mountain*
5:30pm–5:45pm — Bus back to school
6:00pm–7:00pm — Dinner at school dining hall
7:00pm–9:00pm — Evening activity/downtime
10:00pm — Lights out
*Campers who want to ride the Highland Training Center (indoor foam pit, resi ramps, video editing) can do so with a Coach.
**Schedule subject to change based on weather and participants
My son starts looking forward to the next summer’s camp the moment I pick him up. It is always the highlight of his summer. Not only has he learned some serious riding skills, but he has made some of his closest buddies through camp at Highland. The counselors and coaches do an absolutely fantastic job. This past summer my son had a couple of very specific goals and the coaches went way above and beyond to help him achieve what he was hoping, but also keeping it fun and safe. We LOVE Highland!
My son Nathan has attended Highland’s Ayr Academy Camp for two years in a row. It has become one of the highlights of his year, and he starts looking forward to it months in advance. As parents, we have had the utmost in confidence in Highland’s ability to run such a physically active camp. The staff and coaches are always personable, and take a genuine interest in seeing Nathan’s biking level progress while having as much fun as possible in the process. If your kids love biking, making new friends, and having a lot of fun, then we would highly recommend Ayr Academy!
OVERNIGHT
Highland Camps partners with a local private school to provide overnight campers with room and board, including breakfast and dinner meals. Tilton School’s expansive campus is located just a short bus trip from Highland Mountain.
Ay Academy
Campers will live in the Ayr Academy dormitory and have access to top-notch school facilities including the dining hall, gymnasium, basketball courts, sports fields, lounges, and more.
With the combined amenities of Highland Mountain Bike Park and Tilton School, Ayr Academy Overnight boasts a world-class venue both on- and off-mountain.
The Ayr Academy Overnight price includes three meals a day, beverages, and snacks. Breakfast and dinner will be served in the school’s dining facility, while lunch is served slope-side at Highland Mountain in a designated camp area.
Summer Ride
Campers will live in the Summer Ride dormitory and have access to top-notch school facilities including the gym, dining hall, basketball court, lounges, and more.
With the combined amenities of Highland Mountain Bike Park and Tilton School, Summer Ride Overnight boasts a world-class venue both on-and off-mountain.
The Summer Ride Overnight price includes three meals a day, beverages, and snacks. Breakfast and dinner will be served in the school’s dining facility, while lunch is served slope-side at Highland Mountain in a designated camp area.
Take a virtual tour of Tilton School’s campus here.
Parents interested in a tour of the facilities should contact camps@highlandmountain.com
