Wheel Fun

Wheel Fun empowers youth in rural Arizona through free afterschool mountain biking programs that build confidence, resilience, and connection. By eliminating barriers to participation and forming strong, long-term partnerships with schools, Wheel Fun creates inclusive spaces where movement brings joy, mentors become role models, and every ride leads to belonging, wellness, and leadership.

Vision

Wheel Fun envisions an Arizona where every child, no matter where they live, how much money their family has, or what challenges they face, can access the transformative power of biking. We believe that every student deserves more than just a seat in a classroom. They deserve adventure. They deserve connection. They deserve the chance to move their bodies, clear their minds, and belong.

In a world where too many kids are spending their free time isolated behind screens, our vision is simple and urgent: get more kids on bikes and into the world around them. Our programs remove the obstacles that prevent many from participating by providing bikes, helmets, trained mentors, and transportation at no cost to families or schools. Access should never depend on a ZIP code.

Wheel Fun is about more than bikes. It is about building confidence, resilience, and trust in caring adults. It helps kids develop healthy habits and connect with the natural world. In communities with few resources and limited enrichment options, we offer something rare: the joy of movement, the power of mentorship, and the chance to be part of a team.

We believe that when kids feel seen, supported, and strong, they thrive in every area of life. That is why we are building a future where every child in Arizona has the opportunity to ride toward wellness, connection, and possibility.

History: From One Trail to a Movement
Wheel Fun launched its first four school-based mountain biking clubs in 2019 in the Verde Valley of North Central Arizona, starting with 7 bikes at each of the following schools: Dr. Daniel Bright Elementary (Cottonwood), Cottonwood Elementary, Oak Creek Elementary (Cornville), and Beaver Creek Elementary. The idea was simple: every child deserves the chance to ride.

What began with a handful of students and a dirt trail has grown into a statewide movement, redefining what afterschool can look like in Arizona. These first clubs laid the foundation for a model rooted in equity, mentorship, and joy. They proved that with the right support, even small, rural schools can become hubs of youth connection, wellness, and adventure.

Many of the communities we serve face steep challenges: rural isolation, high rates of youth disconnection and juvenile arrests, and chronic underfunding of schools. In these districts, there is often no budget for extracurriculars, few opportunities for structured physical activity, and limited access to mental health supports. The result is a widening gap between what students need and what schools can provide.

Wheel Fun steps in to bridge that gap. We bring the bikes, helmets, mentors, and transportation, providing everything a school needs to launch and sustain a club. In places where options are few, we offer something different: an outlet, a team, and a purpose.

By Fall 2025, Wheel Fun will operate 50 afterschool clubs across 10 counties, providing hundreds of students each week with not just a bike, but a pathway to belonging, wellness, and joy. This is not just recreation; it is prevention, equity, and a new kind of movement fueled by mentorship and a belief that every child deserves the chance to ride toward something better 

       

Activities: What We Do: More Than Just a Bike Ride
At Wheel Fun, afterschool is not an afterthought. It is where growth accelerates, confidence takes root, and students show up ready to ride. In a time when many young people are spending hours glued to screens, biking offers a joyful and active alternative. It gets kids moving, thinking, and connecting in the real world. Schools often report higher attendance on club days because students are excited to participate.

No student is left out. Each partner school is equipped with bikes, helmets, maintenance tools, and multi-year support, all provided completely free of charge. The bikes remain at the schools so multiple students can participate year after year, ensuring long-term impact and access for future riders. Wheel Fun also handles all maintenance and upkeep, so schools and families never have to worry about repairs or replacement costs.

In some communities, like Colorado City, we have also launched a bike library model, allowing students to check out bikes on weekends and during the summer. This expanded access supports students who wish to participate in events such as National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) races and helps them stay active and engaged beyond the school year.

Activities include:

  • Trail rides with Wheel Fun are more than just exercise. They are powerful experiences that build confidence and resilience. Students venture beyond the schoolyard onto nearby dirt paths, learning to navigate real terrain, set goals, and support each other through challenges. Whether it is climbing a steep hill at Dead Horse Ranch State Park, completing a full loop around a local trail system, or helping a classmate through a tricky section, each ride becomes an opportunity for growth. These moments foster focus, determination, and a sense of accomplishment that students carry with them long after the ride ends.
  • Outdoor exploration is an essential part of every ride. Students are encouraged to slow down, observe their surroundings, and connect with nature, whether it is identifying native plants along the Verde River, spotting javelinas or birds of prey, or simply pausing to take in the view from a ridge. We also partner with community groups like the Back Country Horsemen and the Rio Verde Riverettes to provide trail safety education, especially around sharing trails with animals such as horses. These experiences help students build awareness, confidence, and lasting respect for the natural world.
  • Club meetings take place weekly and follow a dynamic, evidence-based curriculum that blends trail riding, bike skills development, social-emotional learning, and outdoor exploration, all supported by caring mentors. Wheel Fun provides an extensive curriculum with weekly lesson plans to ensure structure and meaningful progression throughout the season. Each session includes hands-on skill practice such as braking drills or cornering games, guided reflection, and group rides. Coaches are encouraged to adapt lessons to their school’s needs and incorporate creative, community-building activities like scavenger hunts or trail cleanups.
  • Out-of-school-time day camps are multi-day experiences, typically lasting three to five days, that bring together students from multiple partner schools within a region. For four hours each day, participants engage in group rides, advanced skills sessions, games, and team-building activities led by trained mentors. At a recent camp held at Fort Tuthill Bike Park in Flagstaff, students from five schools in the Verde Valley came together to ride berms, tackle pump tracks, and encourage one another through technical trail features. The camp was made possible through collaboration with the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, which helped provide transportation and coordination across sites. These camps offer a fun, supportive environment where students grow as riders, try new terrain, and build lasting friendships beyond their individual clubs.
  • Coach training is provided for teachers, school staff, and volunteers through the Bike Instructor Certification Program (BICP), a nationally recognized course that prepares participants to safely and confidently lead youth mountain biking programs. The training covers bike handling instruction, trail safety, group management, and youth engagement. Wheel Fun covers all costs and logistics, and our regional managers provide ongoing mentorship to help new coaches apply what they have learned and lead with confidence.
  • Bike park and trail development are part of Wheel Fun’s long-term strategy to increase access and opportunity. We partner with schools, community organizations, local governments and land managers to build youth-centered bike parks that serve both students and the wider community. In April, we dedicated the Longhorn Bike Skills Park at Rim Country Middle School, our fourth park built in partnership with local schools. These parks are open to the public outside of school hours during the school year, and from sunup to sundown over the summer.

Many of these parks have transformed underused school grounds or neglected lots, once cluttered with trash and debris, into beautiful, welcoming spaces for riding and recreation. What was once overlooked is now a source of community pride and joyful activity.

Wheel Fun also supports local trail development efforts to expand and improve access to safe, quality riding environments throughout rural Arizona. For example, in December 2025, Wheel Fun will break ground on the Oak Creek School Cross Country Trail System, a 4-mile network of trails on a National Forest parcel directly adjacent to Oak Creek School in Cornville. The new trails will connect seamlessly to the school’s existing bike skills park, creating a safe, expansive outdoor space where students can explore, ride, and learn all within view of the school.

Watch a glimpse of the Longhorn Bike Skills Park transformation here: https://youtube.com/shorts/HDzEkUdlWNQ?si=V6RFVO_KuRy1QAWi

  • Community service is woven into the program to teach students responsibility and pride in their surroundings. Youth are encouraged to help maintain the trails and bike parks they use. In Cottonwood, a Wheel Fun alumnus at Oak Creek Elementary completed an Eagle Scout project by restoring and improving the school’s bike park, ensuring it remains a valuable resource for future riders. These service projects promote stewardship and long-term care of the spaces that support student wellness and joy.
  • Bike maintenance is a key skill taught in every club. Students learn the ABCs of bikes (Air, Brakes, and Chain) through hands-on instruction and practice. They check tire pressure, clean and lubricate chains, and adjust brakes under the guidance of mentors. Some clubs host regular “fix-it days” where students help clean and tune up the school’s bike fleet. These activities foster independence, confidence, and a sense of ownership over the equipment they use.
  • Vocational training for high school students is being expanced through Project Bike Tech, launching in Fall 2025 at Payson High School located in Gila County Arizona. In partnership with leading cycling industry brands including SRAM, Giant, Shimano, and Trek, Project Bike Tech offers a classroom-based vocational training program that teaches students the fundamentals of professional bike maintenance and repair. Through hands-on instruction and an industry-aligned curriculum, students gain technical expertise, explore careers in cycling and outdoor recreation, and work directly with real bikes and tools.

This program provides a pathway to employment in bike shops, the outdoor industry, and mechanical trades, while also deepening students’ connection to cycling, service, and community. It complements our middle school programming by giving older students continued opportunities to grow in confidence, independence, and practical skill.

By connecting education, industry, and opportunity, Wheel Fun and its partners are helping to build a stronger, more sustainable biking culture across Arizona. Wheel Fun is not just delivering after school programming. We are building a movement of active, connected, and courageous youth, one ride at a time.

Audiences Served
Students  Wheel Fun serves the students who need it most and who too often get the least. We serve third through eighth grade students in low-income, rural, and tribal communities, many of which lack safe spaces to play, trail access, or extracurricular programs.

We meet students where they are. Our clubs are intentionally inclusive and noncompetitive, designed to welcome beginners and celebrate effort, not speed. Every child is supported, seen, and encouraged to ride their own path.

Schools and Teachers  Wheel Fun also reaches teachers, families, and entire communities. School staff are trained as certified ride leaders, gaining professional development and building stronger relationships with students outside the classroom. Families are invited to ride days and community events, creating moments of joy and connection that build trust and pride.

Mentors  At the heart of every Wheel Fun program are the caring mentors who ride alongside our students. These mentors include trained teachers, school staff, community volunteers, and in many cases, former students who return to give back. We believe that positive adult relationships are key to youth development, and our mentors model encouragement, resilience, and responsibility on every ride.

We are especially proud to see Wheel Fun alumni stepping into leadership roles. During our summer camp in Flagstaff, we had the privilege of welcoming two alumni from the Armstrong family as youth coaches. One is a graduating high school senior preparing for a mission trip to Ecuador, and the other is a current high school sophomore. Their youngest brother participated in the camp as a student, making it a full-circle moment for the family and a powerful example of generational impact.

By creating opportunities for alumni to return as mentors, especially during seasonal camps, we strengthen our culture of connection and leadership. These young coaches not only inspire current riders, but also help sustain a community where students feel seen, supported, and motivated to grow into confident leaders themselves.

Community  In many regions, what begins as a school-based club grows into something bigger. Wheel Fun has helped spark local investment in trails, bike parks, and outdoor access that benefit everyone, turning under-resourced areas into thriving hubs of youth activity, health, and hope. This work goes beyond students. It activates entire communities, one ride at a time.

Culturally Responsive Communication  Wheel Fun serves a diverse student population, including bilingual families and tribal communities. To ensure communication is accessible and respectful, we translate essential materials such as registration forms, safety guidelines, and flyers into Spanish and other locally spoken languages. We also work with school staff and community leaders to align messaging with cultural values and community needs. In some regions, this includes adapting ride schedules around cultural events or involving trusted local mentors to help build relationships and trust.

Successful Impact: Why it Matters

Afterschool hours are a pivotal window in a young person’s life. They can be a time of risk or a time of remarkable growth. In an era when many kids spend hours indoors on screens, Wheel Fun offers a different path: one filled with movement, mentorship, and real-world connection. We ensure these hours are active, joyful, and deeply meaningful.

Through engaging, structured, and social experiences, students build confidence, develop resilience, and form a deep sense of belonging that extends well beyond biking. Week by week, ride by ride, they master new terrain, challenge their limits, and discover their potential both on the trail and in life.

The impact is tangible. Students consistently report higher self-esteem, improved physical and mental health, and stronger peer relationships. Many say it is the first time they have felt part of something truly positive outside the school day.

Teachers and families notice the difference. They see improved attendance, calmer classrooms, and students who show up with greater focus, energy, and joy. In some communities, Wheel Fun is not just the most engaging afterschool option, it is the only one.

And the influence does not stop when the rides end. Former students often return as volunteers, mentors, and youth coaches, passing on what they have learned to the next generation. What begins as a club grows into a lasting culture of leadership, pride, and community wellness.

To help students turn their passion for riding into long-term opportunity, Wheel Fun established the Logan’s Hero Dirt Scholarship Fund. Created in memory of Logan Hubley, an adventurous and kind-hearted young mountain biker, the scholarship honors his legacy by supporting youth in pursuing outdoor education, leadership training, service learning, and postsecondary education.

The scholarship is open to any qualified individual who has participated in a Wheel Fun program, including after-school clubs, camps, Riding for Focus, or earn-a-bike programs. Previous recipients in good standing may reapply. Funds may be used for two-year or four-year colleges, as well as trade and vocational schools. Whether students are pursuing higher education or specialized training, this scholarship helps them carry the values learned on the trail such as confidence, courage, and purpose into whatever path they choose.

(https://www.azfoundation.org/scholarship-seekers/scholarships/logans-hero-dirt-scholarship/)

Wheel Fun is more than a program. It is a turning point.

Recommendations for Replication and/or Adaptation:  A Model Built to Move

Wheel Fun’s a replicable model that can transform communities far beyond Arizona. Our program is designed to be scalable, sustainable, and deeply rooted in equity. We partner primarily with Title I  public schools, ensuring that students in under-resourced communities have access to safe, active, and enriching afterschool experiences.

Schools, districts, and community-based organizations can bring the power of bikes, mentorship, and belonging to their students and neighborhoods, with support from Wheel Fun every step of the way.

We offer:

  • A proven curriculum with detailed lesson plans, coaching tools, and implementation guidance for both new and experienced educators
  • A fully equipped bike fleet provided by Wheel Fun, along with support for ongoing maintenance, storage, and safety protocols
  • Optional support for trail development and youth-focused bike park planning, tailored to the needs of your community

Our Supporters

Wheel Fun’s impact would not be possible without the generous support of a wide network of funding partners who believe in our mission to get more kids on bikes and into the outdoors. We are grateful to be funded by a diverse group of foundations, corporations, government programs, school districts, and individual donors who share our vision of youth wellness, connection, and opportunity.

Major supporters include (but are not limited to):

  • Arizona Complete Health
  • Catena Foundation
  • Goldin Foundation for Excellence in Education
  • John F. Long Foundation
  • MHA Foundation
  • Trek
  • SRAM
  • Shimano
  • GIANT
  • 21st Century Community Learning Centers
  • Outride
  • Arizona Community Foundation
  • Local partnerships with cities and municipalities including Arizona State Parks and Trails
  • Singletrack Futures Foundation
  • S. Lopez Family Foundation
  • The Arizona Cycling Association
  • Many more schools, tribal education programs, local businesses, and families who make this work possible

Together, these partners help us provide bikes, helmets, mentorship, training, transportation, bike parks, and scholarships, removing barriers and unlocking potential across Arizona.

Whether you are starting small or dreaming big, Wheel Fun can help you build a program tailored to your landscape, your students, and your community.

Explore our interactive programs page at https://wheelfun.org/programs.

Find coaching tools and curriculum resources at https://wheelfun.org/coachingresources/.
Watch our overview video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZC3B0hmppm8.

To discuss a potential partnership, visit https://wheelfun.org/ or contact our team directly.

Contact Info
Website: https://www.wheelfun.org
Email: info@wheelfun.org