On June 7th, Mount Revelstoke National Park celebrated its centennial with the second annual “Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day” at the Nels Nelsen Historic Area in the park.

The RCMP, Flowt, and Parks Canada provided a jam-packed day for families with a children’s bicycle skills and obstacle course, bike and helmet checks, stickers, prizes, draws, bike information and refreshments. The event was a huge success with sunny skies and perfect temperatures.

“Getting kids and their families connected with nature and the outdoors is a priority for Parks Canada,” says Zuzana Driediger, Parks Canada Product Development Officer. “We are looking forward to having this as an annual event within the park.” The RCMP “Safety Bear” and Parks Canada’s mascot “Parka” were also there cheering the kids on as were student volunteers from the ‘Glacier Adventure Stewardship Program’ (GASP). They were joined by members of Revelstoke’s professional mountain biking community, who coached many of the children through their first-ever obstacle course.

TKMBD is an annual celebration held officially on the first Saturday of October, although it can be held at any time of the year. The International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA), which created the event, strives to encourage communities around the world to join together and ride mountain bikes with youth. Over the years, tens of thousands of kids have participated from across the globe, including: Italy, Australia, South Africa, Canada, Malaysia, and Mexico.

Informal or formal, one child or 100 children, TKMBD celebrates the joy of riding in the dirt.

“Besides being good, healthy fun, the goal is to develop a connection between kids and the natural world around them. Today’s children are tomorrow’s land managers and politicians — future decision-makers for important matters like recreation and access to public lands” IMBA

Special thanks to Zuzana Driediger for submitting this news release to IMBA Canada and for organizing the second annual TAKMBD for Revelstoke National Park!

"TAKMBD

 

"TAKMBD

Photos by: Steve Shannon