Photo By Joshua Hammond | Naval Support Activity Mid-South's Child and Youth Programs (CYP) hosted a week-long...... read more read more
Millington, Tenn. – Naval Support Activity Mid-South proudly hosted the Pedal Kids Bicycle Camp from July 21–25, 2025, as part of a pilot initiative funded by Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) and executed by Navy Child and Youth Programs (CYP). The program aimed to support key CYP objectives, including physical development, outdoor engagement, and social-emotional learning.
Delivered in partnership with Pedal Kids USA, the camp introduced 34 children, ages 6–12, to hands-on, age-appropriate bicycle instruction that not only taught kids how to ride safely and confidently—but also empowered them with skills in perseverance, responsibility, and teamwork.
The pilot aligns with Navy CYP’s broader strategy to strengthen military youth programming through innovative, research-informed activities that promote connection, confidence, and resilience—while supporting mission readiness through high-quality, family-focused services that enhance military quality of life. The program also directly contributes to addressing youth mental health by offering safe, skill-building activities that foster emotional well-being, connection, and resilience.
“Watching children, of a variety of ages, transform over a five-day period was nothing short of amazing,” said Caleb White, MWR Director. “To see children who couldn’t ride on Monday confidently riding on two wheels by Friday was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do. My own daughter struggled for years—even with training wheels. Within three days, Pedal Kids had her riding independently. This was hands down one of the best programs CYP has brought to the installation.”
The week-long camp offered a blend of structured bicycle classes, interactive skill-building activities, and a culminating Community Bicycle Rodeo, which brought families together to celebrate participants' progress. Throughout the week, certified Pedal Kids coaches worked closely with CYP staff to deliver a fun, inclusive, and impactful experience.
“I think my favorite part was building a connection with the kids and seeing their personal confidence bloom—not just their riding abilities but their growth as individuals,” said Coach Silas, Pedal Kids USA.
“Pedal Kids is so much more than just learning how to ride a bike,” said Baylee Hughes, Navy CYP Program Assistant. “It’s about teaching responsibility, courage, and confidence. Celebrating both the positives and challenges—like falling and earning that next pedal—it was incredibly inspiring.”
“Pedal Kids offered youth the chance to learn to ride, strengthen their skills, and gain knowledge of the bike as a whole,” added Stephanie Hubbard, Navy CYP Direct Care Supervisor. “Even I learned something. The Pedal Kids staff were amazing and kept youth engaged in activities and discussions.”
“As a former military kid myself, I know how quickly life can change—new schools, new homes, new routines,” shared Mickey Fitzpatrick, Program Director, Pedal Kids USA. “There aren’t always many constants, and that can feel overwhelming. Having access to a bike would have given me the freedom to explore, a steady way to build confidence, and a chance to feel grounded no matter where we were. That’s why it’s such a privilege now to help bring bike programming to life for Navy families. We’re not just teaching kids to ride—we’re giving them tools for resilience, independence, and joy they can carry anywhere.”
Children also found joy and pride in overcoming their fears and discovering new abilities:
• KG, age 7, shared, “I really didn’t want to do it because I was scared… but I kept going, and I was pretty proud of myself when I rode my bike.”
• KP, age 5, said, “Now I can ride bikes with my Dad! Are we going to do Pedal Kids again? Because it was fun!”
Parents echoed their children’s excitement:
• “We couldn’t teach our daughter to ride, but they did,” said RG, parent of a 7-year-old participant. “It was a fantastic, fantastic program.”
• “It was looking like he was never going to ride his bike,” added MG, parent of KG. “In less than five days, he could ride! Now he can join me on runs in the park.”
For NSA Mid-South, being the first installation to pilot the Pedal Kids camp came with some uncertainty—but ultimately resulted in a rewarding experience for staff, participants, and families alike.
“Thirty kids, all with varying skill levels, on bikes at once—it was a little nerve-racking,” said Angie Johnson, CYP Youth Director. “But the Pedal Kids team quickly evaluated each child, separated them by ability, and made magic happen. Kids were cheering each other on, gaining confidence, and learning lifelong skills in real time. It was one of the most rewarding programs we’ve ever offered.”
“We offer many bike programs, through many partners around the U.S., but our time at Naval Mid-South was an example of a ‘perfect fit’ where all stakeholders were totally aligned around the same mission—healthier kids, families, and community,” said Scott Fitzgerald, Founder/Program Director, Pedal Kids USA. “It was a joy to work with the Naval Mid-South team.”
This pilot effort at NSA Mid-South will help CNIC evaluate the potential for enterprise-wide implementation of Pedal Kids programming across other Navy installations. The camp represents how CYP continues to deliver meaningful youth development opportunities that support military families and overall mission readiness.
“Every now and then, something comes along that reminds us of our mission and purpose,” said Brandi Valentine, Navy CYP Director. “For me, that was Pedal Kids this year. This experience reaffirmed the purpose of CYP: to help children and staff develop and grow through positive, fun, and instructional experiences. I loved watching our mission come to life right before my eyes.”
About Pedal Kids
Pedal Kids is a structured youth development program designed to teach children ages 2–12 how to ride bicycles safely and confidently, while also nurturing core life skills such as independence, empathy, and resilience. The program supports physical development, social competence, and emotional well-being through cycling-based learning. To learn more about Pedal Kids, please visit https://pedalkids.com/.
About CNIC
Commander, Navy Installations Command is responsible for worldwide U.S. Navy Shore installation management, designing and developing integrated solutions for sustainment and development of Navy shore infrastructure as well as quality of life programs. CNIC oversees 10 Navy regions, 70 bases, and more than 43,000 employees who sustain the fleet, enable the fighter, and support the family. Follow CNIC on social media: Facebook, Facebook.com/NavyInstallations; X, @cnichq; and Instagram, @cnichq.
| Date Taken: | 09.22.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.22.2025 09:57 |
| Story ID: | 548887 |
| Location: | MILLINGTON, TENNESSEE, US |
| Web Views: | 59 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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