Before your ride....

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Youth Infusion is proud to announce expanded support for its Trips for Kids Pocono Flow – Discovery Trail Rides program, made possible through $10,000 from the PPL Foundation and $8,000 from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation aministered by the Scranton Area Community Foundation.

These investments allow Youth Infusion to expand this founding program from Monroe County into Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, reaching more young people with free, guided outdoor wellness experiences.

Trips for Kids Pocono Flow – Discovery Trail Rides is Youth Infusion’s founding program, launched in Monroe County, PA in 2010 when Youth Infusion first became a nonprofit organization. Built on the belief that every child deserves the joy of riding a bike and the freedom to explore the natural world on two wheels, the program has grown steadily over the past decade through strong community partnerships and volunteer support.

Chartered in July 2010, the program has expanded in partnership with the National Park Service to provide scenic, safe, and engaging riding adventures through parks and natural areas across Northeast Pennsylvania. With new funding support, Youth Infusion is excited to bring Trips for Kids Pocono Flow to youth in Lackawanna County for the first time, while continuing rides in Monroe County.

• Season: April through October
• Ride Days: Saturdays and Sundays 
•  Locations: Monroe County & Lackawanna County, PA (Specific Locations To-Be-Determined)
•  Cost: Free to participating youth and families
   

Ages & Family Participation

Trips for Kids Pocono Flow – Discovery Trail Rides is designed for youth ages 10 and up. Families are encouraged to ride together, and parents or guardians are welcome to participate in every ride.

For children under the age of 10, a parent or guardian is required to ride with them to ensure safety and appropriate supervision. This family-inclusive approach strengthens connections between youth, caregivers, and the outdoors while creating a supportive and welcoming experience for all.

Trips for Kids Pocono Flow is a chartered Trips for Kids chapter and part of the national Trips for Kids network, which is now supported and administered by the League of American Bicyclists.

Trips for Kids National maintains a portfolio of nearly 50 member sites across the country, all dedicated to providing low-income and historically marginalized youth with access to bikes, cycling programming, peer-to-peer engagement, positive role models, and leadership opportunities. Together, Trips for Kids chapters help more young people discover the power of the bike as a tool for confidence, connection, and lifelong wellness.

Each ride is intentionally designed to support whole-child well-being while educating young riders and families about safety, stewardship, and outdoor exploration. Youth participants engage in:

• Guided mountain biking experiences led by trained volunteers and mentors 
• Bike & helmet safety education, including proper bike fit, helmet use, and trail-ready checks before riding 
• Trail orientation & expectations, covering what to expect on each trail and how to ride responsibly 
• Park & environmental education, with insights from park rangers or knowledgeable guides about the park, trails, and local ecosystems 
• Leave No Trace principles, teaching respect for nature and shared outdoor spaces 
• Confidence-building personal challenges that encourage growth and resilience 
• Physical activity and movement that supports mental and physical wellness 
• Healthy snacks and hydration to fuel riders and promote healthy habits 
• Environmental awareness and stewardship, empowering youth to care for the places they explore
   

Biking is more than recreation—it is a powerful tool for improving youth mental and physical health. Research shows that regular physical activity, such as biking, can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve focus, and boost self-esteem. With nearly 1 in 5 children in the United States (19.7%) classified as obese, programs like Trips for Kids play a critical role in promoting healthier, more active lifestyles.

Youth Infusion believes that access to opportunities that improve mental, emotional, social, and physical health should never be determined by race, ethnicity, gender, ability, or zip code. Thanks to the support of our funders, national partners, and local volunteers, Trips for Kids Pocono Flow – Discovery Trail Rides remains free and accessible, empowering young people and families to build confidence, resilience, and a lifelong connection to wellness and the outdoors. Families are encouraged to ride together, and parents or guardians are welcome to participate in every ride.