El Grupo Youth Cycling

El Grupo is a youth development organization with a mission to empower youth through bicycles. We foster values that support youth both on and off the bike, now and into their future. Learning bike skills is a significant component of all programs of El Grupo, but the power is in the personal growth that each youth rider achieves. We provide positive youth development opportunities through year-round, summer, and after-school programming.

Since our founding in 2007, El Grupo has fostered self-confidence, personal responsibility, and healthy-lifestyle choices in thousands of youth in the Tucson area. All youth need a path. We just happen to use bicycles as the means to that greater end. As a Tucson-grown idea, we started with eight kids in a back yard and are now working with more than 1,000 kids annually. El Grupo provides positive youth development opportunities for youth through year-round, summer, and after school programming. We work with kids ages 6-18 through various programs that meet both at our clubhouse just north of downtown and out in the community. El Grupo provides a meaningful structure through which youth learn about themselves, contribute to our community, engage our natural environment in healthy ways, and invest in their own future success. At El Grupo, we help kids translate bike skills into life skills. We are proud to have been recognized as the 2017 Most Outstanding Out of School Time Program in Arizona.

Through our value-based programs, youth develop healthy lifestyle skills, a sense of self that leads to strong self-esteem and respect through demonstrated teamwork and leadership. El Grupo provides all bikes, equipment, and clothing to youth who would not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in our programs. Over 50% of youth qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch programs and we strive that over 1/3 of our youth are female.
•Team El Grupo: Year-round after school program (ages 12-18) that fosters healthy values through goal-oriented cycling and leadership development
•El Grupito: Semester-long after-school program that encourages youth (ages 8 - 13) to build skills and confidence, be active and healthy, and have fun through bike riding and camaraderie.
•Summer Bike Camp focuses on developing confidence and safe bike riding for every skill level, promoting health and wellness for 6-13-year-old riders. Team El Grupo youth gain job and leadership experience as camp counselors.
• Bike Club: Semester-long program that engages youth in an after-school bike riding club to build skills, confidence, and healthy habits at low-income schools. Formerly called Manzo Elementary Bike Club and now expanded.
•BikePacking: This program is for youth (ages 13-18) who don't identify with competition, but still want goal-oriented, skill-building activities focusing on camping trips by bike.

Testimonials

"El Grupo has changed my life for the better since it has given me more confidence in myself. Before I was not as happy as I am now, and I feel like a changed person. I feel free to express myself, ask questions, and be a better person. I now use my new-found confidence to talk to new people and make friends." Zaid, 18

"El Grupo has helped me pave a path to college while achieve my cycling goals. El Grupo has not only helped me build my physical fitness but my mental fitness as well. One thing El Grupo leaders have taught me, is more often than not your mind tells you to stop/quit before your body, and I learned how to expand my mind to become successful throughout life. Thank you for this opportunity that has shaped my life." ~ Chloe, 17

"When I first moved to Tucson, I didn't feel at home just yet. However, being part of El Grupo has made me feel like I belong. Having a community with similar goals and dreams to be a part of has helped me call this place home." ~ Lily, 14

"Since I have joined El Grupo I have been happier and healthier. Being on this team has taken me to new places and has given me opportunities to make new friends as I'm doing it, all while riding my bike." ~ Jeremia, 15