For the fourth consecutive year, the Outride team hosted educators from across the United States and Canada at Specialized headquarters in Morgan Hill, California, for Camp Outride. Camp Outride is an immersive professional development experience designed to prepare our newest cohort of educators to bring the Riding for Focus (R4F) program to their schools and communities. The R4F program is designed to help young riders build confidence and skills on the bike, integrating cycling into the school day. This year, 57 educators attended Camp Outride from across North America attended ready to connect, ready to roll, and ready to learn how to implement their R4F programs.

Lead Trainer Panel - *Photo Edit: Brian Rimm*

One point of emphasis was helping teachers step into the role of their future students, experiencing the Riding for Focus curriculum firsthand through a combination of direct learning and on-bike instruction. Guided by Outride Lead Trainers, experienced Riding for Focus educators selected for their expertise, participants worked through key lessons that help students progress from foundational skills to being confident riders.

For many attendees, the experience reinforced an important reality: cycling can improve well-being and brain health. As educators reflected on the barriers facing today’s youth, including limited access to outdoor recreation, increasing screen time, and ongoing mental health challenges, they saw firsthand how Riding for Focus can provide students with meaningful opportunities for movement, independence, and connection.

Beyond riding skills, Camp Outride equipped teachers with the practical tools needed to launch and sustain successful programs. Workshops focused on topics such as program implementation, adapting lessons for students with varying skill levels, and creating safe, inclusive cycling experiences for all students. Our partners from Project Bike Tech facilitated a maintenance clinic to ensure the programs keep rolling even when tires go flat.

One of the greatest benefits of Camp Outride continues to be the opportunity for educators to connect directly with one another. Teachers from Florida to British Columbia shared ideas, discussed challenges unique to their schools and communities, and built relationships with peers who are equally passionate about helping students thrive through cycling.

After all the learning, for the first time, attendees enjoyed petting animals and taking in the wine country at Mohi Ranch, which will no doubt become a staple of the event. Participants engaged in plenty of opportunities for friendly competition, hands-on skill building, and memorable moments that highlighted the fun and community-centered spirit at the heart of the Riding for Focus program.

On the second day, educators transitioned from learners to instructors, leading lessons and practicing the teaching techniques they will soon bring back to their own schools. By experiencing the curriculum from both perspectives, teachers gained valuable insight into the challenges students may face, as well as the confidence and sense of accomplishment that come with mastering new skills. The event concluded with reflections from trainers, veteran educators, and members of the Outride team, all of whom shared stories about the impact cycling can have on young people's lives.

Now, as educators return home, preparations are already underway for another exciting school year. Bikes and helmets will soon arrive on campuses, instructors are finalizing plans, and thousands of students will have the opportunity to discover the freedom and joy that cycling can provide. What began at Camp Outride 2026 is ready to roll into classrooms and communities across North America, expanding access to the transformative power of riding for even more youth.

As one teacher reflected on Camp Outride:
“It was an experience I’ll never forget and I enjoyed every moment, met like minded individuals who are doing monumental things for children and their communities. This is how a PD should be done.”

We're excited to see these programs roll out and look forward to sharing their impact. Follow us on Instagram to see Riding for Focus in action, and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest Outride updates.

Congratulations to the newest cohort of Riding for Focus schools! With the addition of 52 new programs, Outride now supports nearly 500 schools across the U.S. and Canada. Find a school near you on our program map.