Description

The Maryland Interscholastic Cycling League’s second annual Leader Summit will bring together coaches —both new and experienced—to develop skills and knowledge, share strategies, and build community. In 2019 Maryland will continue our mission of providing the opportunity for every middle and high school student, public or private, to form club teams and participate in a scholastic mountain bike season brought to you by the Maryland League, an official project league of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA). This conference will promote a holistic approach to coaching that creates an environment in which young people can grow and thrive.

Being Maryland's inaugural season, the DUAL focus of the 2019 Leaders Summit will be about how to establish a team in the league, and how to develop and nurture a returning team. The Leaders Summit will arm you with the knowledge, skills and resources available to assist you in establishing an official club sport at your local middle or high school. With over 700 NICA teams across 25 leagues in 24 states in the US, we don't have to reinvent any wheels in Maryland. Currently over 18,000 Student-Athletes participate in leagues across the country with league growth averaging 35% every year, this is an exciting time for kids and adult mentors in Maryland to be apart of the fastest growing youth mountain bike program in the US.

Team formation and official registration starts April 1st - the day after the summit! In-season team practices can start July 1st. Our racing season will run from September through October of 2019, with race venues located throughout the state.

Agenda

Saturday, March 30, 2019

NICA Culture & Coaching Philosophy, Risk Management and Team Practices

Saturday's seminars cover the nuts and bolts of working with high school student athletes in the context of a NICA mountain bike club. We sometimes call it "Learning the NICA Way" because it puts into context the background and philosophy for why NICA and MICL programming are set up the way that they are. Saturday's seminars cover basic knowledge that all NICA Level 1, 2 and 3 coaches should be aware of and incorporate into their duties.

We will be planning an optional evening activity nearby that will include dinner for those who would like to join.

Sunday, March 31, 2019

Develop Your Team Community, Learn Some Rules, and NICA On The Bike Skills for Coaches

Sunday morning will be more classroom and small group setting stuff. Expect to be indoors through lunchtime. We'll talk about setting the tone for your teams culture, how to structure a season of practices, and learn the basics of the NICA rulebook. After that, plan on a classroom talk about the OTB 101 skills session.

Sunday's clinic - You'll learn the NICA-endorsed training method, which includes the progressive steps needed to teach anyone (even yourself) both basic and advanced mountain biking skills. You will also learn about experiential teaching techniques, how to accommodate different learning styles, and how to create a positive learning environment for young riders. The majority of the afternoon clinic will be held outdoors, so please bring your bike and appropriate riding and safety gear for the weather. Again - there are 200 miles of trails accessible from the venue, and we will have a couple of ride leaders available to show you some of Pataspsco Valley State Parks finest singletrack.

Check out this detailed agenda for the weekend.

This agenda is still in development and we will reach out to all registrants in the weeks leading up to the summit with lots more details!

Registration Fee: $60*

Includes:

• Basic breakfast and a catered lunch each day. Please advise us in advance of any dietary restrictions.

• Coffee will also be provided each morning.

• Access to digital Coaches Manual & OTB Skills Manual and Conference Materials.

*We have been able to reduce the registration fee by a significant amount from last year thanks to amazing support from Horizon Foundation, a Howard County nonprofit with a mission to improve access to opportunities and help provide healthier lifestyles for Howard County residents.

Lodging Options:

• There are cabins and RV sites available at Ramblin Pines Campground click here for info and for reservations 

• We recommend Airbnb as there are several close-by options for reasonable rates.

• This gorgeous and award-winning B&B has rooms from $79/night - The Columbia Inn at Peralynna

• There is also the Budget Inn 15 minutes up the road on Rt 70 4500 Baltimore National Pike, Mt Airy, MD 21771