Welcome to Little Bellas!
We're so excited to have you and your participant as part of our community. This guide is designed to provide you with all the key information you need to make the most of your participant's experience at Little Bellas. Please take a moment to read through these important points and feel free to reach out with any questions.
1. Check In/Check Out Procedures
Checking In: Upon arrival, you will receive a card with your child’s name.
Checking Out: At the end of the session, you will need to provide the same card to check your child out. If someone other than you is picking up your child, you must inform us ahead of time with their name. For safety, we will ask for an ID from the person picking up the child.
2. All Volunteer Effort
Our Mentors: All of our mentors are volunteers who have undergone both online and in-person training with Little Bellas. They are committed to providing a positive, supportive experience for every child. We’re proud to say that at least one mentor in each group is certified in first aid and CPR, ensuring the safety of all participants.
3. Program Approach to Skills Development
Fun First, Skills Second: At Little Bellas, we prioritize fun and enjoyment over structured skills training. While your child will certainly learn biking skills, these will be taught in an organic way—through games, fun activities, and trail rides. We don’t run formal skill drills; rather, we encourage learning by doing, all while keeping it lighthearted and enjoyable.
4. Violence and Behavior Policies
Little Bellas understands that kids are learning and growing in this program. We have a behavior management policy that balances individual growth and development while also prioritizing group safety. We have a zero-tolerance policy for adults regarding violence, threats of violence, sexual harassment, and sexual abuse. Any violation of this policy will result in the offender being removed from the program.
5. Public Displays of Affection (PDA)
No public displays of affection are allowed at the program. While consensual hugs are welcome as a friendly gesture, we ask participants and mentors to refrain from kissing or any form of intimate touching.
6. Electronics Policy
We encourage participants to disconnect and engage fully in the program. While taking photos of your child’s adventure is welcome, the use of personal electronics (phones, tablets, smartwatches, etc.) is prohibited during the program.
7. Group Meeting Locations and Structure
Weekly Programs:
Each participant will be assigned to a group led by a Mentor Group Lead. These leads are responsible for attendance, daily activities, and ensuring that everyone has a great time on the ride. Please check the specific meeting location for your child’s group at each session.
Camps and Ride Program:
Each participant will check in and out with the Program Lead.
8. Session Lengths
Weekly Programs: Sessions typically last around 2 hours, which includes a combination of games, snacks, and the ride itself.
Camps: Our camps are more extensive, running anywhere from 4 to 8 hours. These include a full day of biking, games, and snacks.
Ride Sessions: Individual ride programs are shorter and run between 1.5 to 2 hours with plenty of time for fun activities and snacks.
9. Drop-Off Program
Little Bellas operates as a drop-off program. This means you’ll drop off your participant at the start of the session and pick them up when it ends. We take it from there and ensure your child has a wonderful experience.
Free Time for Parents: While your participant is riding, you’re welcome to run errands, relax, or explore the trails yourself. Feel free to say hello while on the trails, but please remember we are focused on making the program run smoothly for the kids.
10. Be On Time
Please make sure to arrive on time for both drop-off and pick-up. If you are late, the groups may already be out on the trails, and it can be difficult to catch up with them. For the safety and enjoyment of all participants, we need to stick to the schedule.
10. Inclement Weather
Weekly Programs: If we must cancel a program day due to weather, one make-up day (or two, depending on the program) is built into the program schedule. Because our programs are largely volunteer-based, we are unable to guarantee additional make-up sessions beyond those built into the schedule.
Camps: Camps have access to indoor facilities and are not canceled for weather-related reasons.
We hope this guide helps clarify some of the key details of your child's Little Bellas experience. We're thrilled to have you and your child as part of our community, and we can’t wait to see the growth, fun, and memories that come from this program.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to your program lead.