Sweetwater Farm Trail Center is transforming the way kids in West Virginia experience the outdoors. Set on 575 acres of historic farmland in Pendleton County, it’s a place where trails, youth programs, and community come together to inspire confidence, connection, and a love of adventure.
Their mission to remove barriers and make cycling accessible for all kids immediately caught our attention. By combining expertly built trails with programs that focus on both skills and personal growth, Sweetwater is helping the next generation discover independence, resilience, and the pure joy of riding.
Keep reading to learn what makes their youth bike program so impactful, and how Reid bikes are helping them bring more kids along for the ride.
Can you tell us a bit about your trail centre and what inspired you to launch a bike program specifically for kids?
Sweetwater Farm Trail Center is what happens when two passionate groups, Experience Learning and Trail Labs, join forces to make the outdoors more accessible, meaningful, and fun. Experience Learning is a nonprofit that brings decades of heart, using outdoor programs to help people of all ages build confidence and community. Trail Labs brings the muscle, designing trails and infrastructure that turn wild spaces into welcoming adventures.
Together, we’ve transformed 575 acres of historic farmland in Pendleton County, West Virginia into a hub for recreation, youth development, and tourism. Since 2022, we’ve been laying the groundwork for up to 30 miles of trails that wind through meadows, forests, springs, and stunning geological features.
But this project isn’t just about trails - it’s about access. We noticed that local kids weren’t engaging with the outdoors, despite living in a region full of natural beauty. The barriers were real: expensive gear, limited mentorship, tough terrain, and transportation challenges. So we launched a bike program just for them, to open doors, build skills, and help them discover the joy of being outside.
How does your program support kids in learning to ride - both technically and in terms of confidence or independence?
Our program teaches kids how to ride by focusing on both the skills and the personal growth that come with it. We create a space where trying something new, even if it feels a little scary, is encouraged and supported. Through adventure, kids build confidence, learn to trust themselves, and discover what they’re capable of.
As they ride, they connect with others, step outside their comfort zones, and start to see themselves as leaders. They also spend time in nature, learning how they fit into the world around them and why it matters to take care of it. In the end, it’s not just about becoming better riders, it’s about helping kids grow into confident, thoughtful, and independent people.
What role did Reid bikes play in the program’s success? What made them a good fit for your needs?
Reid Bikes have been a game-changer for our program. Once our friends at Trail Labs pointed us in their direction, we gave them a try and honestly, we haven’t looked back. They’re tough, reliable, and easy for kids to learn on, which is exactly what we needed. The affordability of these bikes compared to other brands of similar quality, allowed us to build a consistent fleet within our budget. Having the same type of bike across the board makes everything smoother, from teaching and learning to maintenance and repairs.
As a nonprofit, our ability to grow the fleet, and reach more kids, depends on generous donors and grant support. As soon as we secure more funding, we’ll absolutely stick with Reid.
Have you witnessed any standout moments or stories that really show the impact this initiative is having on the kids?
Absolutely! We’ve seen some truly powerful moments that show just how much this initiative means to the kids. One that stands out is our beginner mountain bike overnight camp. For the first time, half the campers were local kids, thanks to scholarships and Reid loaner bikes. Without those bikes, they simply wouldn’t have been able to join. And for many of them, this was their first real outdoor experience - tents, trails, the night sky, s’mores around the campfire. It was a big deal.
We also just wrapped up a grant-funded program for underserved high school students from Washington, D.C. that combined everything we love: mountain biking, rock climbing, rappelling, canoeing, fishing, camping—and some deep reflection around the fire at night. One camper shared, “I learned to get comfortable being uncomfortable, which is the root of personal growth.” That kind of insight sticks. It’s not just about the adventure - it’s about building confidence, awareness, and resilience that these kids carry with them long after the experience ends.
What has the response been like from parents, families, or the wider community? Who’s involved in running the program, and how do they help make it a success?
It’s definitely a team effort, and that’s what makes it so special. The best programs are built on strong partnerships, and we’re lucky to have a whole network of supportive agencies and community members who step up to make it happen. This summer, for example, our school-based day program brought together the school district, the local extension office, the family resource network, and a bunch of small businesses and organizations from around town. Without that kind of community backing, it just wouldn’t be possible.
One of the best parts of the summer was teaching a group of local 4th – 6th graders how to ride bikes. We spent a total of 24 hours over the course of several weeks ‘on the bike’ teaching them hands-on skills, going on group rides, and eventually riding through their own town to visit local businesses. They created community art, learned about local history, tried out string instruments, practiced line dancing, and wrapped it all up with a ride across the river to enjoy ice cream donated by a local shop.
Seeing those kids confidently pedaling through their streets, getting honks and waves from neighbors cheering them on - it’s magic. That kind of real-world experience, where they feel independent and connected to their community, is something you just can’t replicate in a classroom or on a screen. It’s the kind of moment that opens minds and expands horizons, not just for the kids but for the community too.
How do you see this initiative shaping kids’ relationships with the outdoors and active living more broadly?
At the heart of this initiative is a simple but powerful idea: meet kids where they are. You don’t need a team to ride a bike. You don’t have to be in peak physical condition or fit the mold of a “traditional athlete” to hop on and go. Once you remove those initial barriers, like access to a bike, a safe space to ride, and a welcoming community, you unlock a whole new world of possibility.
We’re not here to build elite racers. Our programs are intentionally non-competitive because we know that long after the medals are handed out or youth teams disband, the bike remains. It becomes a lifelong tool for exploration, independence, and joy. That’s the magic we’re chasing: using the bike as a gateway to adventure, not just a vehicle for performance.
But it’s not just about the ride - it’s about where that ride can take you. We believe deeply in the power of wild spaces to inspire and empower. When kids are given the chance to learn new skills in a supportive environment, with mentors who model resilience and reflection, something incredible happens. They grow. They gain confidence. They learn to push through challenges and speak up for themselves.
This isn’t just about building better bikers - it’s about building better humans. We’re cultivating a generation that feels connected to their environment, proud of their place in the world, and motivated to care for it. Whether it’s the local watershed, the forest trail, or the broader community, we want kids to feel like they belong and that their voice matters.
And when those kids grow into confident, capable, community-minded adults, that’s when everything starts to shift. That’s when we see real change, and that’s what we are here for.
What’s next for your trail centre in terms of youth engagement or cycling-based programs?
If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that it takes a village - and a whole lot of good friends - to build something meaningful for kids. At our trail center, partnerships aren’t just logistical checkboxes. They’re friendships. They’re shared visions. They’re the reason we’ve been able to grow our youth cycling programs into something truly special.
We’re continuing to expand our programming across three key areas. First up: our adventure mountain bike summer camps, run in collaboration with our friends at the West Virginia Interscholastic Cycling League (WVICL). These camps are designed for kids who already know how to ride and are craving a deeper connection to the outdoors. We blend wilderness exploration with skill development, giving them a chance to push boundaries and discover new terrain - both literally and figuratively.
Then there’s our beginner bike camps, which are all about firsts. First time on a bike. First time in the woods. First time realizing, “Hey, I can do this.” These camps are gentle introductions for kids who’ve had little to no exposure to riding or outdoor adventure, and they’re some of the most rewarding experiences we offer.
And finally, we’re proud to run grant-funded programs that focus on removing barriers for underserved youth. One of our most inspiring collaborators is Coach Alex Clark from the Prime Ability cycling team in Washington, D.C. His work to get kids off the streets and onto bikes aligns perfectly with our belief: when given the chance, kids can do hard things. They can grow into strong, resilient, capable adults. We’ve seen it first-hand.
Of course, we’re not without challenges. Right now, our fleet of bikes is sized for 4th–5th graders, which limits our ability to serve older kids—especially in beginner programs where we provide the bikes. We’ve had countless requests to bring our programming into middle schools, and we’re eager to say yes. That’s why we’re actively applying for funding to expand our fleet with larger bike sizes. Because more bikes means more kids. More kids means more impact.
We’re not just building riders. We’re building community. And we’re just getting started.
From first rides to trailblazing adventures, Sweetwater Farm Trail Center is redefining what youth cycling programs can achieve. Kids not only learn to ride, they build confidence, resilience, and a sense of community. With every new rider welcomed, Sweetwater proves that meaningful change starts with encouragement, connection, and a love for the outdoors. Check out Sweetwater Farm Trail Center on their socials @sweetwater_farm_trail_center.