Director Jud's Blog

Bike, Camp, Repeat: Overnight Adventures at SMA Mountain Biking Summer Camp
Ride all day, camp under the stars, and repeat! SMA Mountain Biking Summer Camp offers the ultimate summer combo for teen riders.

At Stone Mountain Adventures (SMA), we believe the best summers are spent outdoors, pushing limits, and making memories. That’s why our Mountain Biking Summer Camp isn’t just about riding trails—it’s about embracing the full adventure. And nothing captures that spirit better than our overnight biking adventures, where teens ride, camp, and repeat under the stars.

At Stone Mountain Adventures (SMA), we believe in creating unforgettable experiences that combine adventure, skill-building, and pure fun. One of our most popular activities? Mountain biking summer camp! Whether your teen is a beginner curious about biking or an experienced rider looking to master advanced skills, our program offers something for everyone. Let’s dive into why mountain biking at SMA is the perfect adventure for teens and how we balance skill development with endless fun.

The Benefits of Mountain Biking for Teens

Mountain biking isn’t just an exhilarating outdoor activity—it’s a powerful way for teens to grow physically, mentally, and emotionally. Here’s why it’s such a standout experience at our summer camp:

1. Builds Physical Fitness: Mountain biking is a full-body workout that improves cardiovascular health, builds muscle strength, and enhances coordination. Teens gain endurance while exploring scenic trails and challenging terrains.

2. Boosts Confidence: Conquering a tough trail or mastering a new skill gives teens a sense of accomplishment that translates into greater self-confidence.

3. Encourages Problem-Solving: Navigating trails requires quick thinking and adaptability, helping teens develop critical problem-solving skills.

4. Fosters a Love for Nature: Mountain biking gets teens outdoors, connecting them with nature and fostering a lifelong appreciation for the environment.

5. Promotes Resilience: Learning to overcome obstacles—both on and off the trail—teaches teens the value of perseverance and resilience.

An Unforgettable Experience at the 2024 NICA Eastern Regional Festival & Championships

As the Camp Director and Owner of Stone Mountain Adventures Teen Summer Camp, I had the incredible opportunity to attend and sponsor a booth at the 2024 NICA Eastern Regional Festival & Championships. And let me tell you, this was an event that I will not soon forget!

Held from November 9-11, 2024, in Elkton, Maryland, the 2024 NICA Eastern Regional Festival & Championships brought together NICA programs and leagues from across the eastern seaboard for an epic celebration of youth mountain biking. As soon as I arrived, I could feel the palpable energy and excitement from the riders, coaches, families, and spectators. This was no ordinary weekend—it was a gathering of passionate, supportive, and determined athletes ready to push their limits and celebrate their shared love for the sport.

A Gathering of Riders from Across the East Coast

The 2024 NICA Eastern Regional Festival & Championships was an invitation-only event that brought together the best riders from the East Coast. Teams from Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia all came together to compete, connect, and grow as athletes.

The weekend wasn’t just about competition, though—it was a celebration of everything that makes youth mountain biking so special. The NICA community is built on inclusion, positivity, and a shared love for the outdoors. Riders, coaches, and families gathered to celebrate the spirit of the sport in a welcoming and supportive environment.

OvernightSummer camps provide an invaluable opportunity for teenagers to explore their interests, develop new skills, and forge lasting friendships. At Stone Mountain Adventures Teen Camp (SMA), located amidst the stunning landscape of central Pennsylvania, teens discover a passion for outdoor adventure and water sports under the guidance of dedicated leaders like camp director Jud Millar and his awesome staff team. This weekend, Jud is gearing up to attend the Philly Bike Expo, an event that not only celebrates all things mountain biking and cycling but also serves as a platform for connecting with families who share a love for mountain biking and adventure.

 Is your child looking to combine the thrill of outdoor adventure with the joy of mountain biking? Look no further than the top 10 mountain biking summer camps in America! These camps offer an exhilarating opportunity for riders of all ages and skill levels to explore scenic trails, learn new techniques, and forge lasting friendships. From the rugged terrain of Colorado's Rocky Mountains to the lush forests of Pennsylvania's Allegrippis Trails, each camp boasts its own unique setting and challenges. Whether you're a beginner looking to develop your skills or an experienced rider seeking new trails to conquer, these camps promise an unforgettable summer filled with adrenaline-pumping rides and unforgettable experiences. So dust off your bike, pack your gear, and get ready to embark on the ultimate mountain biking adventure!

This morning we had an awesome mountain biking activity session at Stone Mountain Adventures and we mad a video!

Riding bikes is fun. Whether you are riding a bike on a paved street, a gravel roadway, a logging road or a single track trail you can’t help but have fun riding a bike. Something magical happens when you are moving (flying) through the world on 2 wheels not evening thinking about balance and agility, just feeling the wind in your face and enjoying the scenery as it flies by.

Body Position on a mountain bike makes a big difference with the speed you carry through corners and on decent and if you go airborne. The fundamentals of body position is moving your body weight around on the bike at the appropriate time based the terrain on the trail.

Seated Position – More efficient but will have to get out of the saddle to increase power. But this is mountain biking and seated more efficient power is not always going to work. As trails and terrain gets more technical you will need to adopt more of an attach position.

Does your teenager love to mountain bike? Does your teen want to ride mountain bikes everyday and gain skill while having fun? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then you should consider a summer camp that has a focus on mountain biking. Attending a mountain biking summer camp has the potential to be a very positive experience for teenagers. It provides the perfect opportunity for them to learn mountain bike specific skills that will take their riding to the next level. There are mountain biking camps are in different parts of the country. Some things to consider when choosing a mountain bike summer camp for your child include:

• The location of the camp
• The type and quality of the mountain biking trails
• The experience level of staff
• The safety record of the program
• Whether the camp provides mountain bikes or campers need to bring their own bike

Parents can compare the several camps available then choose the best that can work for their kids. Kids who get the opportunity to interact in the camps have the best opportunity to develop life skills. Here are some of the reasons why parents should choose mountain biking teen camp:

SMA Teen Summer Camp Director and Owner Jud Millar will be traveling north to attend a Summer Opportunities Camp Fair hosted by the Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts.  The Summer Opportunities Camp Fair will be help on Sunday, January 27, 2019 from 12pm to 3pm.  The will be the 29th year that the Phillips Academy has hosted this camp fair.   This fair is designed to give middle and high school students and their families the chance to meet with representatives from approximately 100 local, national and international summer programs.  A wide range of programs will be represented here, including those that focus on academics, language study, community service, sleepaway teen camps, sports, mountain biking summer camps for teenagers, arts, research, internships, outdoor adventure, and international travel.

What: Summer Opportunities Camp Fair

When: Sunday, January 27, 2019 from 12pm to 3pm

Where: The Phillips Academy, 180 Main St, Andover, MA 01810 

Today our Mountain Bike Masters decided to stay close to camp and have some fun!

The past two winters in central PA were epic with near record snowfalls and cold temperatures... this winter not so much.  Even with minimal snow and unseasonably warm tempatures Fat Bike riders from around the Keystone Stage and the Northeast will descend on central PA this weekend for the 6th Annual FrozenFat Mountain Biking Festival!