New summer program incorporates bike riding with community service

NORTH LIBERTY — A new summer program aims to keep children physically active while making a positive difference in their community.

Dubbed 'Knight Riders,' the North Liberty program combines a daily bike ride with a community service project for students entering sixth through ninth grades.

Each session takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday from June 6 through Aug. 11.

Cost to participate is $120 a week. The session for July 5-7 costs $90, since there is no program on July 4.

Knight Riders is the brainchild of Matt Fielder, before- and after-school programs director at the North Liberty Recreation Center, 520 W Cherry St., home base for the program. He said the daily activities aim to incorporate values like community service responsibility and leadership, while reassuring parents their child is doing something worthwhile.

'I've been talking with people, trying to get an idea of what exactly the program wanted to be; what the kids wanted to get out of it,' said Fielder. 'We wanted it be a mix of learning opportunities, but also have it be fun.

'The healthy aspect of it is something we think will be a side program of the project, but not the main goal.'

Most days, riders can expect to put in anywhere from 5 to 10 miles traveling to locations in the North Liberty and Coralville areas, Fielder said. Participants are required to provide their own bicycle and helmet.

Although the schedule for community service projects hasn't been finalized, instructors plan to take participants to places like a local food pantry, a summer lunch program and the summer camp offered for younger children at the recreation center. Other possibilities include doing outdoor yardwork and planting for the city, as well as washing vehicles for the fire and police departments.

'I'm really excited for the kids to see and do new things, like volunteering or service projects,' said Shelby Roth, a youth counselor at the recreation center and an instructor for the program. 'They'll see what they can do in their community or other communities, and they'll see what they can do to help.'

Fielder said this is an important lesson for the age group Knight Riders serves. He said programming for this age group is often challenging because the children are beginning to crave independence.

'It's kind of age group that needs to be more responsible and take on more leadership roles,' he said.

As such, Knight Rider participants are to be given the chance to decide their own schedule in the afternoons, Roth said.

Afternoon activities might include swimming at the recreation center pool or playing indoor and outdoor games.

On Tuesdays, however, student go on a field trip to destinations like Adventureland Theme Park, Adventureland Waterpark, Lake Macbride and Air FX Trampoline Park.

Fielder said about six or seven students have signed up for each week of the program so far. In the future, he hopes to have at least 25 participants each week. For more information, or to register, call 319-626-5716 or visit northlibertyiowa.org and search for 'Knight Riders.'

And yes, the name of the program is a nod to the 1980s television show 'Knight Rider,' starring David Hasselhoff.

Knight Riders weekly schedule

Here is a look at the weekly schedule for the new Knight Riders program at the North Liberty Recreation Center. The program is for students entering sixth through ninth grades. Each day, students ride up to 10 miles on their bike and then complete a community service project. In the afternoon, they decide which activities they'd like to do at the community center. Tuesdays of each week are reserved for field trips. Cost for most weeks is $120. For more information, or to register, call 319-626-5716 or visit northlibertyiowa.org and search for 'Knight Riders.'

Week 1:

June 6-9 (June 7 — Movie at Coral Ridge Cinema)

Week 2:

June 13-16 (June 14 — Adventureland Theme Park)

Week 3:

June 20-23 (June 21 — Air FX Trampoline Park)

Week 4:

June 27-30 (June 28 — Adventure Paintball Park)

Week 5:

July 5-7 (July 5 — Lake Macbride)

Week 6:

July 11-14 (July 12 — Lost Island Waterpark)

Week 7:

July 18-21 (July 19 — Planet X Family Fun Center)

Week 8:

July 25-28 (July 26 — Air FX Trampoline Park)

Week 9:

Aug. 1-4 (Aug. 2 — Adventureland Waterpark)

Week 10:

Aug 8-11 (Aug. 9 — Movie at Coral Ridge Cinema)