North Country Adventure Team Handbook
Empowering people to become the best version of themselves through outdoor adventure.
Contents
01 BACKGROUND AND CULTURE
02 CORE VALUES
03 CODE OF CONDUCT
04 ATTENDANCE POLICY
05 GEAR
06 BASECAMP ETIQUETTE
07 TRAIL ETIQUETTE
08 WHAT TO EXPECT
09 WEATHER
10 CONCUSSION PROTOCOL
11 MINOR PARTICIPANT ABUSE PREVENTION POLICIES
12 GROWTH MINDSET
13 ADVENTURE MINDSET
14 SELF-SUPPORTED ETHOS
01: BACKGROUND AND CULTURE
Your mission is to become the best version of yourself through outdoor adventure. You are not just learning bike skills; you are learning skills for life. This happens when riders and leaders prioritize effort, embrace failures, develop positive habits, and focus on the journey.
EMPOWERING PEOPLE
We empower people. All people. Adults. Kids. Men. Women. Young and old! People who ride bikes. People who don’t. Community is everyone. Adventure Team is about discovering new friendships, building resiliency, establishing healthy habits, and pursuing an activity equal parts sport, equal parts lifestyle, that can grow and change as you do. Here, adventures provide the opportunity to grow through challenges and struggles. We focus on individual growth and achievement within a larger community. This helps us all learn that: "Your experience matters, my experience matters, what we experience together impacts everyone."
HISTORY The North Country Adventure Team was founded in 2023 to create a welcoming space for riders of all abilities and interests. We are preparing for our first year of our program.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Adventure Team is the only part of North Country Adventure Team right now. However we are might eventually host community events. The staff and board members provide the tools, training, and support for our adventure team in order to be successful in our own communities. The local volunteers lead the adventures in your community.
We recognize that the traditional sports model is not for everyone. Our goal is to reach all youth regardless of ability, goals, or equipment.
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COMPARING ADVENTURE TEAM TO TRADITIONAL SPORTS
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TRADITIONAL SPORTS PROGRAMS
-Time on the court or field may be determined
by athletic ability
-Difficult to join at older ages
-Have tryouts or cut athletes
-Often ends after high school or college
-Grouped by ability
-Often separated by gender
-Head-to-head competition
-There is a finish line or an end goal
-Individual competition
-Focus on winning
ADVENTURE TEAM
-Everyone rides, no one sits out
-No experience necessary to begin, at any age
-Inclusive of all abilities and skill levels
-Developing a lifestyle
-Can continue into adulthood for lifelong wellness
-Riders are grouped by age
-Boys and girls ride together
-About building community
-There is no finish line
-Failure is an opportunity to learn
-Riders and coaches flow through a dynamic process of growth
-Focus on discovery
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CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
Adventure Team Programs focus on character development, not just bike skills. During Adventure Team, riders practice and develop the following character traits that will serve them throughout their lives.
Respect, Effort, Consistency, Grit, Resilience, Adventure, Self-Reliance, and Doing Hard Things
02 CORE VALUES
ADVENTURE
This is not a race development program. There is no finish line.
BE ON TIME
That means be 10 minutes early.
SELF-SUPPORTED
Be prepared. You are responsible for you.
CONSISTENCY
You are a product of your habits. We are what we do.
FOCUS ON EFFORT
Show up and give 100% of what you have to give.
COMMUNICATION
It's everyone's responsibility.
TRAIN4LIFE
Train to be ready. Train 4 tomorrow. Train 4 life.
DON'T BE A CRITIC
We're in this together. Lead with solutions. Develop trust.
WE DO HARD THINGS
Through struggle we grow stronger.
UNDER PROMISE, OVER DELIVER
Do what you say you're going to do. Follow through.
03: CODE OF CONDUCT
THE RULES:
Be on time.
Be prepared.
Give your best effort.
Walk your bike in base camp. THERE IS NO RIDING IN BASE CAMP!
Helmet is on if:
-You’re on your bike.
-You’re next to your bike.
-You’re looking at your bike.
-You’re thinking about your bike.
No wheelies.
Both hands on the handlebars.
Adventure Team shirt and Nameplate are required each ride.
Stay at your station.
No cell phones.
Look out for other trail users – Smile and say Hi!
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON'F FOLLOW THE RULES?
Leader provides constructive feedback to the youth (Strike 1).
Leader revisits the previous conversation, and provides additional feedback for the youth, including what will happen next time (Strike 2).
Parent/guardian brought into conversation. On the third incident leaders will correct the youth and contact parent/guardian. (Strike 3).
Following three strikes and a talk with the parent/guardian, the rider will be asked to skip a week of rides.
After the missed week, the rider can return to his or her group.
If the rider continues to receive warnings following the missed week of practice, North Country Adventure Team staff will determine next steps.
Expulsion from the program is possible.
FOUR PILLARS:
Respect, Effort, Consistency, and Grit
04: ATTENDANCE POLICY
You must attend 80% of your scheduled rides.
Riders who do not attend on a regular basis struggle to keep up with the members of their group who show up every week.
Holding a spot for a rider who does not attend is not fair to the many riders who would like to join.
05: GEAR
REQUIRED GEAR
BIKE
Safe to ride with no broken, loose, or worn out parts.
Shifts well. Has working brakes.
Fits the rider.
ADVENTURE TEAM SHIRT
Having everyone (youth and volunteers) wearing the shirt is a helpful, visual cue so we know who is part of our group and who isn’t.
HELMET
The helmet should sit flat on the head with about two finger widths between the eyebrows and the bottom of the helmet.
The straps around the ears should form a ‘Y’ shape that meets just below the earlobe.
If the helmet tilts forward, adjust the rear strap.
If the helmet tilts backward, adjust the front strap.
The chinstrap should fit securely with room for one or two fingers between the strap and the chin.
MEDICATIONS
Bring to every ride.
Know how to use them before your first ride.
NAMEPLATE
No nameplate = no ride.
Nameplates help us quickly identify who is and who is not part of Adventure Team.
Nameplates help us identify AT youth from a distance (risk management) and create more personal connections by addressing them by name.
Nameplates let us know the adult has passed a background check and required training.
First nameplate is given to you at the first ride.
Replacement nameplates cost $5.00.
SHOES
Close-toed are required - no sandals of any kind.
Securely attach to your foot - slip on shoes are not recommended.
Have a hard or rubbery bottom.
If your shoes have laces, make sure they are short and won't get wrapped in your chain.
WATER
An easy way to take water on the trail is a bottle cage attached to the bike frame.
If you cannot attach a bottle cage to your frame, a hydration pack is a good option.
OPTIONAL GEAR
GLOVES
Protect hands during falls.
You do not need to buy bike specific gloves.
GLASSES
Protects eyes from dirt, dust, sticks. Choose clear lenses.
You do not need to but bike specific glasses.
BUG REPELLENT
SUNSCREEN
No Nameplate = No Ride
06: BASECAMP ETIQUETTE
RIDERS
Walk to your station with your parent or guardian.
Find your station and pick a cone to stand by.
Helmets are always on.
No wheelies at any time.
Always have both hands on the bars.
Model: Respect. Effort. Consistency. Grit.
PARENTS OR GUARDIANS
We need to be clear who has custody of the kids at all times, and we do not want a gap between us - i.e. dropping kids and sending them to the station alone, or sending kids from a station across or into traffic to find their parent or guardian. This is a simple step, and we need everyone’s commitment to it.
CHAIN OF CUSTODY
Walk your rider to their station between 5:50 and 6:00.
Communicate the exchange of custody with the leader.
Do not leave your rider at the station if there isn't a volunteer leader present.
Pick your rider up at their station and communicate the exchange of custody with the leader.
If you will not be the person picking up, communicate this with your rider’s leader.
Before you leave make sure your rider has:
Nameplate, Helmet, and Any required medications
You must notify your rider's leader if the person dropping the rider off will not pick the rider up at the end of the ride. Leaders and volunteers may not let a rider leave with another adult if this has not been communicated. Simply tell your rider's leader during drop off.
07: TRAIL ETIQUETTE
YIELD
Bikes yield to horses and foot traffic.
Downhill riders yield to uphill riders.
If you stop, move to the side of the trail.
STAYING SAFE
Always ride single-file.
Stay with your group.
Try to always see the person in front of you.
If you get lost, stay where you are and wait for your group to find you.
No earbuds.
Phones in your backpack.
Don't ride and text.
Walk when necessary.
BE AWARE OF:
Animals
Other riders.
Your surroundings.
RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Stay on trails.
Leave no trace.
Stay off muddy trails.
RESPECT FOR OTHERS
Talk positively about others.
Display positive and welcoming attitudes.
08: WHAT TO EXPECT
ORIENTATION DAY on July 2nd from 6pm-6:45
Orientation is not a drop-off event.
Parents/guardians need to stay on site and go through the orientation with their rider(s).
RIDES JULY – AUGUST from July 11th-August 22nd
Parent or guardian drops off at your station.
ABCD bike check with your leaders and group.
Skills focus / Overcoming Obstacles Course.
Group ride plan.
Ride!
Return to station.
Parent or guardian picks you up at your station.
09: WEATHER
Safety is job #1.
Trail impact needs to be factored into the decision. (We put a lot of people into the woods. Poor trail conditions + a lot of people = damaged trails.)
It’s disappointing to cancel rides. Sometimes life is disappointing. It is a great opportunity to talk to kids about safety and protecting the trails.
Local point person will be responsible for flagging potential inclement weather, communicating with North Country Adventure Team staff.
Decision to cancel will be communicated three hours prior to scheduled start on our Facebook page and communicated through our Google Groups conversations.
10: CONCUSSION PROTOCOL
We take head injuries seriously. If your rider sustains a head injury, you must provide a note from your child's doctor giving them permission to return to ride.
OBSERVABLE SIGNS OF CONCUSSION AND HEAD INJURY
Balance, gait, or coordination problems
Blank or vacant look
Clumsy
Communication difficulties
Facial injury
Forgetful
Irritability
Slow to respond to verbal prompts or questions
Unusually emotional
Convulsion or seizure
Drowsiness or inability to wake up
Increasing confusion, restlessness, or agitation
Loss of consciousness
One pupil larger than the other
Slurred speech
Vomiting
Unusual behavior
SIGNS OF CONCUSSION AND HEAD INJURY YOUR RIDER MAY REPORT:
Dizziness
Emotional
Headache
Mental Fog
Nausea
Nervousness
Pressure in head
Sensitivity to light, movement, or noise
Sleep disturbance (sleeping more or less than usual)
Headache that is severe or increasing
Neck pain
Numbness or tingling
Visual problems such as blurred or double vision
RETURN TO RIDES
After a mild to moderate head injury, most children feel better within a couple of weeks but the return to normal activity should be slow and monitored by a medical professional. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers the following guidelines for return to sports activities:
Step 1: Back to regular activities (such as school)
Step 2: Light aerobic activity
Step 3: Moderate activity
Step 4: Heavy, non-contact activity
Step 5: Practice & full contact
Step 6: Competition
11: MINOR PARTICIPANT ABUSE PREVENTION
North Country Adventure Team is committed to maintaining an environment free from emotional, physical, and sexual misconduct where all participants are empowered to become the best versions of themselves through outdoor adventure. Parents, guardians, and participants are encouraged to report policy violations to their area lead or a 906AT staff member.
ABUSE PREVENTION EDUCATION
Annual child abuse prevention training is required for all adult participants including basecamp volunteers, leaders, leads, staff, and board members.
ONE-ON-ONE INTERACTIONS
All one-on-one in-program contact between an adult participant and a All one-on-one in-program contact between an adult participant and a minor participant must be observable (someone else can see it) and interruptible (someone else can stop it).
OUT-OF-PROGRAM CONTACT
Adult participants may have out-of-program contact if it is understood that they are not acting within the nature and scope of leadership of North Country Adventure Team.
TRANSPORTATION
An adult participant may not transport a minor participant one-on-one during program-related travel without permission from parent/guardian.
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS POLICIES
One-on-one electronic communication between an adult participant and a minor participant is not permitted.
GIFTS
Adult participants are prohibited from giving personal gifts to a minor participant unless distributed equitably to all participants.
PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEO EXCEPTIONS
Photos or videos of minor participants must be observable (another adult participant can see the photograph/video being taken). Photos or videos of minor participants may not be shared on personal social media pages by volunteers.
DUAL RELATIONSHIP
Exceptions may be permitted for dual relationship with parent/guardian permission. Examples of dual relationships are: relative, neighbor, family friend.
EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES
In an emergency, an adult participant will first respond to the immediate needs of a minor participant. The adult participant will seek an additional adult or minor participant when it is safe and reasonable to do so.
CLOSE-IN-AGE PARTICIPAN
When a minor participant turns 18 during the course of the event, program, activity or production, (s)he is still considered a minor participant for the purposes of these policies.
PERSONAL CARE ASSISTANT
A personal care assistant hired by a parent/guardian to provide medical or behavioral support for a minor participant and acting under the authority of the parent/guardian.
12: GROWTH MINDSET
Having a growth mindset means you focus on developing your skills, not on trying to be better than someone else. People with a growth mindset believe they can get better at anything with practice and effort and encourage others to do the same. We develop talent and ability Value practice over perfection Value setbacks, challenges, or failures as opportunities to grow Focus on growth and learning, not the finish line Practice, dedication, and effort are key Try to improve areas of weakness Persistence and grit when something is hard Learn from the success and failures of others
CHARACTERISTICS OF GROWTH MINDSET
We develop talent and ability
Value practice over perfection
Value setbacks, challenges, or failures as opportunities to grow
Focus on growth and learning, not the finish line
Practice, dedication, and effort are key
Try to improve areas of weakness
Persistence and grit when something is hard
Learn from the success and failures of others
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CHARACTERISTICS OF FIXED MINDSET
We are born with a set amount of talent or ability
Value natural ability
Believe any form of failure defines the whole person
Focus on looking like a pro
Get by on natural ability or talent is key
Try to hide areas of weakness
Give up easily when something is hard
Feel threatened by the success of others
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Your mindset sets the tone for your ride. With a growth mindset, difficult tasks become opportunities for growth and learning.
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THREE RULES FOR GROWTH MINDSET
EFFORT, EMBRACE YOUR MISTAKES, and NEVER STOP LEARNING
GROWTH MINDSET LANGUAGE
How will you challenge yourself today?
What do you want to improve today?
Where did it go wrong?
What strategies can/did you use?
How can we look at that differently?
What could you do differently next time?
What did you do today that you couldn't do last week? Last month? Last year?
What was a challenge for you today?
What was the hardest thing you did today?
How did you keep yourself going when you felt like it was getting hard?
What mistake did you make that you learned from?
What did you do today that you are proud of?
What's next?
I can see that you are improving.
I noticed you went back and tried that again.
I saw you make a plan and stick to it.
You kept going even when it was hard.
That means you are growing.
I noticed you tried something today you hadn't tried before.
I can see that you are working hard.
I noticed you were struggling with that.
That shows you were finding your limits.
I can tell that you have been practicing.
Way to stick with it!
You got farther today than last week.
You'll have it soon!
GROWTH MINDSET PARENTS AND GUARDIANS
Praise effort, consistency, grit, resilience, and improvement over natural talent
Praise the process of learning and growing, not just the outcome
Believe challenges and set-backs are opportunities for their rider to grow and learn
Help their rider set short- and long-term goals
Talk about their own challenges and struggles
HELPING RIDERS LEARN TO STRUGGLE
Reframe failure as a learning opportunity
Cheer the struggles Identify resilience and grit
Teach your riders how to trouble-shoot
Emphasize accomplishments that riders work hard to achieve
Help riders set both short-term and long-term goals
13: ADVENTURE MINDSET
The frame through which children view the world is much different from ours. Through their eyes, the same trail, ridden week after week, can be an exciting adventure. Flowers bloom, birds migrate, leaves change color and drop to the ground, and the presence or absence of sun can dramatically change the experience. Most of us don't experience the world around us as it truly is because we bring along our own perceptions, agendas, goals, and distractions. To see the adventure through our children's eyes, we have to set those thoughts aside, breathe deeply, talk less, and listen more.
CHARACTERISTICS OF ADVENTURE MINDSET
Explores
Takes risks
Willing to fail
Collaborative
Adapts
Overcomes
There is no finish line
ADVENTURE MINDSET HAS NO FINISH LINE
ADVENTURE MINDSET
Personal Competition
Character-driven
Failure encouraged, part of the process
No clock, there is no finish line
Unlimited opportunity, success is infinite
No rules, life isn’t fair
It’s about the journey
Awards effort, tenacity
Points out the window to others
Develops people, community
COMPETITION MINDSET
Head-to-head Competition
Performance driven
Failure is discouraged
Time bound, Finish lines
Limited rosters, limited opportunity
Relies on fairness, rules
It’s about the win
Awards skill, talent, performance
Looks in the mirror at self
Develops athletes, small groups
CREATE AN ADVENTURE
Don't just go for a bike ride - go for an adventure
Let the imagination run wild
Stop and observe
MAKE IT FUN
Slow down
Enjoy the journey
Explore
Let them act like kids
TALK LESS, LISTEN MORE
Enjoy the silence or natural sounds on the trail
Let the child direct the conversation
Be selective and creative when giving pointers
14: SELF-SUPPORTED ETHOS
Adventure is unpredictable, uncomfortable, and unsafe. You are on your own. You are responsible for yourself. You are accountable for your actions and behaviors.
-No Excuses
-No Finger Pointing
-No Shortcuts Growth
CHARACTERISTICS OF SELF-SUPPORTED ETHOS
Accountability, Preparation, Ownership of outcomes, and You are responsible for yourself
The words you use and the actions you demonstrate through growth and adventure mindsets prepare you to fulfill a self supported ethos.
"EMPOWERING PEOPLE TO BECOME THE BEST VERSION OF THEMSELVES THROUGH OUTDOOR ADVENTURE."