Years 3-5 (7-9Yo)

WORD’s ‘Know your Locals’ are a staple of Wellington School holidays, and are known to be the best fun you’ll have this upcoming school break, and for good reason! Each day is jam packed with fun, adventure, and commradery, all whilst riding! Bikes, trails, friends, sweet skills and snacks are the name of the game, come join us for the fun! This is a two day ‘camp’, running from 8:30am - 3:00pm. 

What you'll learn

The main goal of Know your Local camps is to foster a keen sense of belonging in your group, and learn some new mountain biking skills along the way. Your instructors will assess the group's riding, and with your tamariki will choose a relevant skill that everyone is keen to learn. This may include: 

• The fundamentals (which can never be overdone) of body position, braking, and controls.

• Progressive skills such as cornering, trail scanning, and descending.

• And finally, for some riders, instructors may start to introduce more advanced skills like pumping, jumping, wheelies and drops.

Group Splits:

On the first day of term we will split into small groups based on abilities, fitness, and ambitions, before heading into the trails! We’ll stick with these same groups during the Holiday programme. Ratios are 1:8

Camp fee: $260

Wellington Know your Local, Wednesday 14th - Thursday 15th January:

Day 1, Matairangi Mt Victoria: Wellington Velodrome, Hataitai. 

Day 2, Mākara Peak, Karori : Muds Cycles Carpark

Wainuiomata Know your Local, Tuesday 20th - Wednesday 21st January:

Both days are at Waui Street carpark at Wainuiomata Bike Park.

Porirua Know your Local, Thursday 22nd - Friday 23rd January:

Both days are at Spicer Botanical Park, Porirua.

• Serviced Mountain bike

• AUS/NZ certified helmet 

• Closed-toe shoes

• Water

• Snacks!

• Rain Jacket

• Inner tube to fit your tire

We want to support kids to be independent mountain bikers (and humans), so having them be responsible for their own items by carrying them in a backpack is the first step in doing so.

If you have any questions or concerns with the above list, please get in touch with us. We understand how this list may prove a barrier to some, and will gladly work together to overcome any sticking points.

• Riders need to be comfortable riding off road and on singletrack

• More importantly, riders should be excited to try new things on their bike.

• Be prepared for a fun session outside in all types of weather.

Holiday fee includes:

• 3+ exceptional and savvy WORD instructors 

• Two days worth of entertainment and adventure 

• A night's accommodation at Haurangi Hut, a private lodge. 

• An exclusive ride permitted by DOC for WORD. 

• An excellent sense of belonging and adventure 

• A new set of riding pals!

• 2026 WORD T-shirt* and sticker

*Each year we have a new colour of WORD shirts. January is the start of a ‘New WORD shirt calendar,’ so keep an eye out for the newest colourway! We ask that you only claim 1 per year per kid. Kids will receive their shirt on the first day of camp.

New to WORD? Great! Welcome to the whānau, we can’t wait to meet you and your whānau. Discover  how we roll on our more Information page on the WORD website (a great resource that is worth exploring and may answer any questions you might have throughout your time with WORD).

Cancellations:Once you have booked onto a WORD course/camp/event the following applies:

More than 7 days before the start date: 80% refund

2-7 days before start date: 50% refund

48 hours before start date: no refund

Full Terms and Conditions: https://www.word.org.nz/terms-and-conditions/

A note on WORD’s financial model:

WORD is a registered Non-Profit Organisation (NZ Charity Number CC50833). We are proud to offer affordable, inclusive bike programmes like this one to the community. All WORD programmes and camps are subsidised by around 40% thanks to our incredible community of supporters and our sponsors. If you would like to help pay it for-WORD, at checkout you'll have the option of making a donation.