Trips for Kids Denver

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Impact Statement

2009 “Ride” Program Accomplishments

* Organized 105 safe, fun, educational mountain bike outings
* Provided over 700 young people with a confidence and fitness building outdoor experience
* 44% of participants were vulnerable adolescents in residential programs for abused, neglected and troubled youth
* Completed four multi-day cycling and camping adventures

2010 “Ride” Program” Goals

* Safety First! No major injuries again this season
* Give over 800 kids the opportunity to experience the joys of mountain biking

Needs Statement

Organizational Items and Professional Services

* New or used cargo van
* Volunteer Ride Leaders to boost “Ride” program capacity
* Book keeping and accounting assistance
* Design and production of marketing materials
* Web site design, updates, and maintenance
* Public relations, communications, and marketing support
* Grant writing services
* Fundraising and sponsorship development
• Dedicated site with space for offices, storage and Recycle-A-Bicycle program



Program Equipment
• Seat Bags, Patch Kits, Multi Tools, mini pumps, and bike locks for earn-a-bike graduates
• Small Backpacks
• Rain Jackets
• Velcro Leg Bands
• Water Bottle Cages
• Barnett Bike Repair Manual
• Tire sealant
• New adult-size mountain bikes to replace program bike fleet
• Bike repair stands for earn-a-bike repair Classes
• Used bikes (any size, style or condition) for earn-a-bike program

Background Statement

Trips for Kids Denver is an independent, locally supported member of the national Trips for Kids organization. Founded in 1988 in Marin, California, Trips for Kids was established to provide inner city, at-risk youth in San Francisco the opportunity to experience the joys of the natural world from the seat of a mountain bike. Based on TFK Marin’s successful organizational and program model, Trips for Kids Denver was founded in 2001 and has thrived under the leadership of TFKD Director, Andrew Goodwillie, who took over daily operations before the 2004 season. A grassroots effort in the truest sense, the 2004 ride season was supported entirely with dedicated volunteer staff, and financial contributions from individuals and fundraising events.

In 2005, Goodwillie continued leading the organization as a full-time volunteer and secured the resources to hire a part-time Ride Leader, Andrew Brannon. Brannon and Goodwillie, clearly seeing the positive impact the program was having on the young riders, were determined to find a way to get as many youngsters out on mountain bikes as possible. Over the course of the 2005 and 2006 seasons, supported by over 1,000 hours of volunteer power, and boosted by Brannon’s full-time efforts in 2006, they succeeded in increasing the number of youth participant days by 400% from 144 in 2004 to 720 in 2007.

With its enthusiastic local cycling/outdoor community, easy access to world-class mountain bike trails, and a large population of urban children in need of positive new experiences, the Denver/Boulder Metro Area has proved to be an ideal community for the Trips for Kids youth mountain biking program to flourish. Capitalizing on broad community support for cycling based youth iniatives, in the fall of 2007, TFKD launched a new fall/winter afterschool “Bike Club” program that encourages and enables underserved youngsters to safely enjoy cycling on a regular basis in their own neighborhoods.

Executive Director Statement

Trips for Kids Denver (TFKD) is dedicated to giving underserved, urban youth the opportunity to experience and learn about the natural beauty of Colorado from the seat of a mountain bike. We strive to give children the chance to see a different side of Colorado, to expand their understanding of what they can achieve, and to make personal connections with the natural world. We are an organization of cyclists, educators, and community leaders who believe we can make an unquestionable difference in the lives of children by opening their minds to new possibilities, and arming them with greater self-esteem.

The organization’s top priority is to offer our safe, fun, physically challenging mountain biking outings to youngsters in residential programs for abused, neglected, and troubled youth. Due to the stresses of their family circumstances and of a group living situation, our program is especially beneficial for this youth population trying to navigate past difficult times. Riding bike and in a calming natural environment gives these children a break from their often adult-level problems and a chance just to be a kid for the day, having fun riding a bicycle. Proof is found in the smiling faces and heard in the joyous laughter when the children freewheel down an incline in the trail.

We, at TFKD, believe the bicycle is powerful tool for teaching children life lessons and perfect for achieving our primary, and often underappreciated goal, of just having fun. We strive each and every day to ensure that underserved children in the Metro Denver area have the opportunity to experience the joys of mountain biking. Thank you for your consideration.

Board Chair/President Statement

Trips for Kids Denver is in the process of developing written a long-term vision and strategic plan that will guide the future efforts of our organization as it evolves from a grass-roots, volunteer-lead organization into a full-time, professionally managed operation. This plan will focus on the following mission critical elements:
* Creation of a sustainable organizational structure
* Development of a diverse, purpose-driven board of directors
* Development Plan with diversity of funding sources
* Programs that continue fulfill critical educational and experiential gaps in the lives of underserved youngsters

What did you like about the ride today?

“I (heart picture)ed it. I loved every single thing about it!” Anonymous, from Girls Inc.
“ I like when we went through the stream.” Anonymous
“Fresh air.” Dwain, 18
“Mountain biking is fun, cool, hard, easy at the same time. You rock! Julie 11.

What did you dislike about the ride today?

“The rocks that were shaped weird.” Anonymous

What did you learn about yourself, the environment, or mountain biking?

“This was my first time mountain biking and I thought I did really well.” Sierra, 10 or 11.
“You have to believe (in) yourself and try harder every day.” Gizel, 10
“Don’t pedal too fast because you can get tired of pedaling.” David, 12
I learned that when you try things you might actually like them, so don’t be afraid to try.” Filmon, 17.