To celebrate the International Mountain Biking Association’s upcoming Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day, the nonprofit Flathead Fat Tires is giving away mountain bikes to kids who earned their new whips by participating in the organization’s Kids’ Clinic scholarship program.
Flathead Fat Tires developed the scholarship program to help kids without bikes gain the opportunity to explore local trails and become stewards of the area’s recreation resources. On Oct. 3, five of those kids will receive brand new bikes, helmets and transportation to and from trails as part of the program.
“The idea is that we want to reach out and give back to the community in a way that goes beyond the normal role of a mountain biking club,” said FFT Executive Director Paul Larson. “The program appeals to kids who don’t have bikes and might not have access to trails.”
Sponsored by Specialized, participants in the scholarship program can earn a bike by attending FFT’s monthly Kids Clinics, which are open to kids aged 8-16 and are held on the third Saturday of every month between May and September.
On Oct. 3, the final clinic will occur at the Whitefish Bike Retreat, and five participants will receive their bikes.
FFT works with local schools and service agencies to identify kids who are excited and able to be part of the program.
For more information or to help sponsor kids for the program, contact Larson at [email protected], or 312-919-4226.