About the Program

Our Major Taylor Program began in 2013 with the intention of getting more kids on bikes in the Truckee Meadows area. Our Bike Education Instructor, Tom Chapel, works with kids every day during the school year to teach them bicycle riding, safety, and mechanics skills so that they can be prepared for a life of sustainable commuting and safe recreational riding! We also run 4 weeks of summer programming that include similar skillsets. Our 4th week of the summer camp is for advanced riders who would like to continue their education even further, and each student takes home their own bicycle that they have spent the week riding and learning to repair!

Join the Email List

How to Apply

We are now accepting applications for our 2025 Major Taylor Program Summer Camp! Spaces are limited. The cost is $50/camper/week, but we do have scholarships available upon request. You must be 13 - 17 years of age, have prior experience riding a bike, and be able to ride approximately 10 miles each day to take part in our MTP summer camp.

To apply, please email [email protected] with a short essay about yourself as well as an explanation of what you hope to learn or accomplish during your week with RBP, and who you'd choose to share a tandem bike with, and why! Josh will begin reviewing applications in the next few weeks and get back to you soon.

Join the Email List

Major Taylor Summer Program

Participants

We run 4 week-long sessions of MTP camps during the summer! The MTP camps are designed for kids aged 13-17 who already know how to ride a bicycle, and would like to expand their skills.

Goals

Each one-week camp is designed to teach kids about bicycle safety, maintenance, nutrition, and more, so that they can experience the joys and convenience of biking, and carry these skills with them for the rest of their lives. Each day will consist of about 10 miles of riding.

ALKaplan_MajorTaylor_drawing

Gear

Each camper will receive an RBP water bottle, MTP t-shirt, stickers, helmet, and a patch kit. Intensive campers will also receive a bike (the campers will build these out on Monday), a bike lock, a multi-tool, tire levers, and bike lights.

Cost

The cost is $50 per student for the week. We also have scholarships upon request! If cost is a barrier, 
email [email protected].

Dates

July 7th - 11th; July 14th - 18th; July 21st - 25th; July 28th - August 1st (Intensive, must complete one previous week).

The first three sessions are open to all youth, and the last week is our Earn-a-Bike program (we ask that you participate in at least one other MTP camp prior to this session), and you will leave the session with a bike of your own!

The dates of these camps are set, but the locations are subject to change. Intensive Camp curriculum and ride destinations may vary. Bikes and helmets are available for all campers. Water and snacks will be provided! See the schedule below to get an idea of what each week will look like. Reach out to [email protected] with any questions.

2025 Camp Schedule

Monday:

  • 8:30 - 9:00 AM- Morning drop off at 635 E 4th St. Reno, NV 89512 (RBP Production location).
  • 9:00 - 11:00 AM- Icebreakers, flat repair, bike checks, safety checks, ABC's.
  • 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM- Ride around Virginia Lake (5.4 mi roundtrip).
  • 12:30 - 1:00 PM- Afternoon pick-up.

Tuesday:

  • 8:30 - 9:00 AM- Morning drop off at 635 E 4th St. Reno, NV 89512 (RBP Production location).
  • 9:00 - 10:00 AM- Bike checks, safety chat, ABC's.
  • 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM- Ride around Sparks Marina (10.4 mi roundtrip).
  • 12:30 - 1:00 PM- Afternoon pick-up

Wednesday:

  • 8:30 - 9:00 AM- Morning drop off at 635 E 4th St. Reno, NV 89512 (RBP Production location).
  • 9:00 - 10:00 AM- Bike checks, safety chat, ABC's.
  • 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM- Ride to Cottonwood Park (11 mi roundtrip).
  • 12:30 - 1:00 PM- Afternoon pick-up.

Thursday:

  • 8:30 - 9:00 AM- Morning drop off at 635 E 4th St. Reno, NV 89512 (RBP Production location).
  • 9:00 - 10:00 AM- Bike checks, safety chat, ABC's.
  • 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM- Ride at Sky Tavern Bike Park.
  • 12:30 - 1:00 PM- Afternoon pick-up.

Tuesday:

  • 8:30 - 9:00 AM- Morning drop off at 635 E 4th St. Reno, NV 89512 (RBP Production location).
  • 9:00 - 10:00 AM- Bike checks, safety chat, ABC's.
  • 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM- Ride to Mayberry-Highland Park (12.6 mi roundtrip).
  • 12:30 - 1:00 PM- Afternoon pick-up.

Become a Major Taylor Program Partner

Since 2013, RBP and Major Taylor have helped nearly 600 young people explore the Truckee Meadows by bicycle. Teachers, administrators, students, or parents who are interested in bringing Major Taylor to a new organization or school can contact us. Reach out to our Program Managers at [email protected] for inquiries or partnership proposals.