The Big Marsh Bike Ambassadors finished their second year with a bang! This Summer the teens experienced a major change for programming due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. The program shifted from in person learning to remote learning causing disappointment for new and past participants from the program. Finding new ways to explore and navigate through the new remote learning system proved to be challenging but the teens didn’t let that stop them from learning skills. Though we ran online courses teens were ambitious and willing to meet at the park for extra curricular community rides. Teens enjoyed the rides, especially with the element of documenting their rides, they felt that they were able to have their voices heard.
I enjoyed my first summer job this year with Big Marsh park. I feel like I could have really enjoyed it more if the complete program was in person, but overall I do like this program. I learned a lot about riding bikes and the fundamentals of riding bikes. I also found out new routes to take around my own community.
A quote from Bike Ambassador, Morgan Cherry.
The Journey of Remote Learning
For the safety of teens and our communities After School Matters decided to do an online program this year. Project Coordinator, Chental Handy, and her 12 eager ambassadors were disappointed , naturally. Even though the teens weren’t use to the changes this year, naturally, they all put their thinking caps on to think of the best ways to have a fun and productive summer. Deciding that online learning wasn’t enough biking for their liking, the teens decided to meet at Big Marsh for extra curricular bike rides.
The teens traveled to Big Marsh Daily, and had a great time once they were on grounds. During the work week the teens would come to the park, rent bikes for a few hours, and ride the single track and other trails around the park. Though it was challenging and some teens were scared to ride tracks they never have before…they lived up to their names of being a Big Marsh Bike Ambassador. Their is no I in team, and the Bike Ambassadors should be proud to say they they stuck by one another while riding at the park. Each teen had a valuable asset to add in their own special ways. Even when things became challenging their idealistic skill set would always push them through.
Documentation
This year instead of just focusing on group rides, and or bike mechanics the teens were tasked with expressing themselves about what’s going on in the world around them! From the Pandemic to other worldly challenges there are many emotions that teens are facing in their daily lives. Through video documentation and self interviews teens were able to share with each other and the world some of their inner thoughts..
A returning teen, Makayla White, added “ I was a little disappointed that we couldn’t ride as much as last year. It’s always so much fun riding as a group, I know a lot is going on {in the world} but being in the program has always been a fun way to get away and forget. ”
Bike Rides
As the program developed, The Bike Ambassadors learned how to use bike riding as form of self care, and expression and they began to soar. The teens were separated into groups representing their communities. Each community group worked with their Bike Instructor to plan a bike route that will show the beautiful assets in which they have in their communities! One group of bike Ambassadors rode through the Major Taylor Trail.
The ride on Major Taylor trail reminded me of some of the fun of biking. I’m glad the program allowed me to go on a ride through a familiar trail now that I’m older I get to see it differently through older eyes
Students enjoyed revisiting and/or exploring new trails each day.
You can see exclusive footage of this Bike Ambassador on the Big Marsh Instagram page: BigMarshChicago
Final Thoughts
Reflecting on the Bike Ambassadors 2020, Chental (bike instructor) mentioned “Running the Bike Ambassador program always reminds me of the importance of teen programming. I’m more than grateful to Friends of Big Marsh and After School Matters to allow me to instruct this program. 2020 has been an emotional year, and I could only imagine how stressful their school year may be, so even if it’s just for a summer I’m glade to be able to guide and assist teens from the community”.
Friends of Big Marsh will continue to run and create community programming and amenities. This year has definitely been one for the books, and we hope to community spirits alive through having fun times and smooth rides at Big Marsh.