Proposal for Mountain Biking at North Lake Camp

Overview

Mountain biking at North Lake Camp (NLC) is the next logical step in NLC’s strong history of dynamic programming. It would be a fun new program for our campers, and it fits with the camp’s mission of fitness and outdoor activity.

Program Development

Dynamic programming is key to maintaining a camp’s history, tradition, and overall long-term health. Programs at any camp need to grow and adapt, or the campers will vote with their feet. Over the years, much planning, building, and budgeting led to programs that help hold the interest of campers for more than one season. Mountain biking would be easy to add and give camp more program flexibility. It could be targeted at older boys or all campers. NLC has needed to develop more programs for older campers for several years.

Budget

Budgeting could go two basic directions. It could be funded at a minimum level and be successful or moderately funded and be very successful.

Minimum Funding—$200

Campers bring their own bikes or use the bikes that were donated to camp. NLC provides:

  • Map kit for computer
  • Tools and repair kit
  • Folding saw
  • First aid kit

Moderate Funding—$3,200

In addition to the supplies listed for the Minimum Funding option, NLC procures a fleet of mountain bikes in addition the ten donated bikes and campers’ personal bikes.

Questions

  1. This proposal does not address all concerns and leads to additional topics that would need further study and review. Here is a partial list of potential questions:
  2. Do we need to obtain permission or permits from North Lake Land Management Consortium or North Meadows State Park?
  3. What will the policy be if a camper’s bike is ruined?
  4. Does the camp’s liability insurance cover excursions off camp property?

Camping at NLC has always been a significant experience. Mountain biking at NLC is untapped, unlimited, and there for the taking. Mountain biking could easily and economically be a next program feature for camp. 2,400 acres await.

Opportunity

The opportunity is ripe for a mountain biking program at NLC. It could be a cabin or individual sign-up event. A trek could be an hour or all day. It would fit nicely during extreme week. It is a year round program opportunity for off season use of the camp.

NLC is privileged to sit on 300 forested acres. In 2005, with the creation of the North Meadows State Park and the Forest Peters Wildlife Management Area, 1,500 acres of publicly protected lands are now next to NLC. In addition to these two new neighbors, the North Lake Land Management Consortium encompasses private land with conservation easements that border both NLC and North Meadows State Park. The North Lake Land Management Consortium presently totals 2,100 acres and is in the backyard of NLC. This adds up to 2,400 acres for campers to discover forest, meadows, old logging trails, snow machine trails, and working forest on mountain bikes. Additionally beyond camp but within a 15-mile radius are Blue Mountain, Mt. Warrington State Park, Woodson Marsh Reservation, Mountain Brook State Park, and many other historical and interesting sites.

Campers could use their own bikes or bikes provided by camp. We surveyed our campers, and over 85% of them have their own mountain bikes and are willing to bring them to camp. NLC also has ten used mountain bikes that were donated by the Jackson family.

Description of Program

Mountain biking would originate and end at camp. It would be controlled by Camp Administration with all the same planning, leadership, oversight, and support services all programs receive.

Issues to Consider

  • The routes:
  • Key trailheads
  • Alternate routes
  • Time and mileage
  • Turnaround times
  • Departure/return times
  • Communication: cell phones? radios? other?
  • Group discipline:
  • Single file
  • Lead sweep
  • Trailhead gathering
  • Horse etiquette
  • Hand signals
  • Equipment needed:
  • Group equipment:
  • Maps and compasses
  • First aid
  • Repair kits
  • Personal equipment:
  • Water
  • Snacks
  • Mosquito repellant
  • Sunblock
  • How to assess the ability of riders
  • How to evaluate the condition of campers’ bikes
  • Safety
  • Helmets at all times
  • Daylight only
  • Route 4 highway crossings: only three authorized crossings allowed with no riding along Route 4

Potential Trip Routes

Listed below are several trek options. As we get out on the trails and start exploring, we will discover new places and routes.

East

  • North Lake Land Management Consortium 5-mile Loop trail
  • Trail up Blue Mountain to the fire tower
  • Old Mountain Road to East Branch River
  • Trek to the beaver dams in Woodson Marsh Reservation

North

  • Fishing expedition to nearby ponds and lakes
  • Johnson Pond Loop (8 miles)
  • Lost Camp at Mt. Warrington State Park

West

  • Outer Loop Trail to Shakey’s Ice Cream Stand
  • Old Stage Coach run to downtown Elliot
  • North Lake Loop

South

  • Mountain Brook State Park Green Trail to the giant boulders
  • Old Mill Trail in the southern portion of Woodson Marsh Reservation