For the past seven years, Dedham School in AOS #47 has provided middle school students with an opportunity to build skills, explore the outdoors, and connect with their peers through its Mountain Biking Team.
The fall extracurricular program was developed for students in grades 6 through 8 and extends learning beyond the physical education classroom. Students meet three times a week to develop biking skills, build trails, and head out on group rides, combining physical activity with teamwork, problem-solving, and outdoor adventure.
“The best part of this program is watching students grow in confidence, develop new skills, and support one another,” Dedham School Physical Education/Health Teacher Tim Pearson said. Pearson hosts the Mountain biking program each year. “Mountain biking challenges students in different ways, and it’s rewarding to see them encourage each other, work as a team, and discover what they’re capable of both on and off the bike.”
The program also brings students together with the broader school community through two invitational mountain biking competitions hosted by Dedham School each year. These events welcome interested students from area schools, giving young riders opportunities to challenge themselves, build confidence, and share their enthusiasm for the sport.
Thanks to support from Outride, the Maine Bicycle Competition, First Push Syndicate, local bike shops, and community members, students have access to the bikes, helmets, and equipment they need to participate. These partnerships help make mountain biking more accessible and create opportunities for students to discover a new passion.
Watch the action: View a video from a past Dedham School mountain biking competition on YouTube.
Through its mountain biking program, Dedham School is helping students stay active, develop new skills, and build connections with their peers and community—all while enjoying the outdoors.
Information for this article was provided by Dedham School in AOS #47. To learn more about this program, contact Dedham School Physical Education/Health Teacher Tim Pearson at tpearson@dedhamschool.net. To submit a good news story to the Maine DOE, please fill out the good news submission form.
