YOUTH PROGRAM
Our Youth Program is free and open to participants who are at least 8 years old and in the 3rd grade all the way through high school. We offer a variety of classes and community workshops, and host a competitive race team.
Classes and workshops focus on 4 main areas:
Cycling,
Bike Mechanics,
Bicycle Safety and Advocacy, and
Job Readiness skills.
Participants develop skills through an apron level system with our most advanced participants earning a Black Apron Certification that prepares them to become professional bike mechanics.
Our youth education and mentoring program has deepened over time. It now includes externships at bicycle industry and advocacy-related businesses, internships, and part-time jobs, a college and career prep track, and college and vocational school scholarships for advanced participants.
Our race team participants show both serious hustle and good sportsmanship at cyclo-cross and track races across the Chicagoland area.
After-School Program
Throughout the school year
Sept 25 - Oct 19 | Mon-Thurs | 4-6pm
for local youth ages 11-18
from Woodlawn and South Side neighborhoods
Participants will learn bicycle mechanics & safety.
Programs have limited space. Priority will be given to applicants who reside on the south side of Chicago.
Blackstone Bicycle Works (BBW) Summer Camps are for rising 5th-12th graders (ages 10~18). Join us to learn about bicycle mechanics and bicycle safety, develop hands-on mechanical skills, participate in STEM activities, and check out our community garden!
Camp activities will be scheduled Monday through Friday from 9.00am-3.00pm (12pm -5pm for July 10th -15th only). Participants must be able to attend all 5 days of camp to complete the program.
Upon completion, participants will earn their own customized bike, along with a helmet, toolkit, and lock.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Our camp registration is closed for Week 1-2, please email shop@experimentalstation.org if you are to be added to our wait list!