Gear up for learning: Transformative bikepacking trips for Olympia teens

By MJ Sampang, Images courtesy Nikki Winkley

The opening of a new gear library that serves the South Puget Sound region has seen tremendous impact on WTA Outdoor Leadership Training (OLT) program’s mission to get more youth and community members outside, and not just on hiking trails. 

WTA’s second gear library situated to serve the South Puget Sound

In August 2021, WTA opened our second gear library, located at Pierce County Park’s Meridian Habitat Park in Puyallup. While WTA’s Seattle gear library has been partnering with educators for 10 years, the new gear library has made it easier to serve numerous organizations and leaders already established in the South Puget Sound region. One particular leader who displays this motivation for the program is Nicole “Nikki” Winkley, a secondary teacher at Avanti: A School of Choice, a high school in Olympia.

In April 2023, Nikki attended an Outdoor Leadership Training hiking workshop. The workshops are spaces where educators and leaders learn and work together to build on their leadership skills. The participants build skills, but also connections and energy. In the 2023 workshop, Nikki’s excitement was palpable. Nikki grew up going outside and playing outside, and as an educator, she was inspired by the work at A.G. West Black Hills Physical Education Teacher and previous mentor, Lisa Summers. 

“Lisa found the funds to bring a bike fleet to BHHS,” Nikki said, “I asked her for support in gathering the resources needed. From there I reached out to my staff who connected me both to WTA and to Walk-N-Roll from Intercity Transit.”

Avanti: A School of Choice teaches through experience

As a secondary teacher at a school whose mission is to “have a commitment to the process of learning within an interdisciplinary, project and mastery based educational environment,” Nikki valued getting her students outside and learning leadership skills together. Avanti’s vision and philosophy is rooted in “the belief that students make the most of their learning when they take ownership of their education and engage in meaningful and relevant learning experiences.” 

In the past two school years, Nikki and Intercity Transit’s Walk-N-Roll, a program based out of Olympia, partnered up to lead a bikepacking outing towards the end of the school year. Walk N Roll’s A. Puri, the lead bike educator of the trip was also a participant in an OLT snowshoeing workshop in February 2023. Their bicycle mechanics mentor, Kim Turner, provided students with hands-on bicycle mechanic training, offering students the opportunities to take apart, replace, repair, fix, and mend the bicycle, which each student earns upon completing the course. 

The Avanti Bikes! program offers immersive educational experiences centered around bicycle education, safety, and community engagement. Trips are organized to provide hands-on learning opportunities, foster teamwork, and promote environmental awareness. This bikepacking outing aims to teach students about riding longer distances on semi-self-supported bike camping trips. 

An epic trip for learning, bonding and environmental responsibility 

At the end of May, Nikki took ten Avanti high school students on a 20-mile ride through beautiful natural landscapes. Along the ride they saw small streams, waterfalls, the Wynoochee River, Wynoochee Lake, and lush forests. The ride includes 6 miles along the lakeshore, a 2-mile ride upriver to waterfalls, and a rolling downhill return to Coho Campground.

 “This epic trip could not have been better to practice group discussions, problem-solving tasks, and share reflections,” Nikki said. “The students highlighted their enthusiasm for practical learning experiences, bonding with peers, and a newfound sense of environmental responsibility. They expressed gratitude for the opportunity to explore nature and positively impact the community. WTA allowed our students to have access to gear to feel safe and comfortable on this trip. We utilize the Kitchen Kits, tents for students, backpacks, stoves, sleeping pads. This opens the door for all students to attend the camping trip. With the support of Walk-N-Roll and the accessibility to the gear from WTA, bikepacking has become a very doable adventure for our students.” 

When students take the lead on adventure

During the trip, the Avanti high school (9th-12th grade) took leadership roles in planning the trip, allowing for student-centered learning. They also researched the trip locations and presented that information to their classmates throughout the journey. 

"In the end, I cannot argue anything but amazement for this trip,” said one student. “It was extremely fun and really enjoyable not just for me but for most if not everyone that went on it.” 

Another student said they found setting up camp a “very satisfying thing; just getting to step back after picking the perfect spot for a tent and getting everything ready.” 

Some of these trips also inspired students to learn or try a new skill or experience: “It inspired me not to give up. Even when I was a little sore on the second day, I knew I could do it because I had done a harder trip before last year.” 

These are the kind of moments Nikki felt important to share, because while mileage can be measured, student perseverance cannot. 

Many of the students come from diverse backgrounds, share a passion for biking, community involvement and outdoor activities. Some of the students found the bikepacking experience to be a great new way to incorporate different activities while being outside with others.

The program also volunteers with other local school programs offering Earn-A-Bike and Bike Safety Checks for elementary and middle school students. Niki said the students were well-trained for the physicality of these adventures because of the biking program. They also benefited from Avanti’s location near many South Sound Bike Corridors and trails to practice their skills. 

Building an inclusive outdoor community 

“I think that the group was very encouraging in every aspect, and non-judgmental,” said one student. “This helped a lot not only on the rides, but even while doing a simple task like dishes.”

From the bikepacking trips, students are inspired to build upon their biking and outdoor skills together. Some students shared that they were comfortable teaching others about bikes and safety: “I would love to hold workshops or sessions at local schools or bike shops to share what I've learned and promote bike inclusivity.” 

Nikki said that students see this program to be a long-lasting connection with local environmental and recreational organizations.

Through collaboration and community partner support, the bikepacking trips for Avanti high school students were successful, with awe-inspiring views and memories. Nikki hopes these experiences can provide real-world applications of classroom learning, promote physical activity and healthy lifestyles, foster a sense of responsibility towards the environment and community, and lastly offer opportunities for personal growth and leadership development. Certainly through Nikki’s influential leadership skills and investments in collaborative programs, Avanti continues to climb their way in making the most of their learning and outdoor experiences.