On Your Mark, Get Set, Go! Your Guide to the Kids Adventure Games

Described as “the most zip lining, cargo netting, biking, hiking, climbing, rappelling, slip-sliding, wet, muddy, fun a kid can have,” the Kids Adventure Games could be your family’s highlight of the summer. Taking place August 24-26 at Stevens Pass, this multi-discipline adventure race is designed for kids ages 6 to 14 and it’s where your little adventure seekers can participate in a range of obstacles and challenges on foot, on bike and even in the air. Sound like fun? Scroll down for our insider’s guide to this year’s race.

In a Nutshell
There are two sets of teams, the “Experts” (ages 10-14) and the “Beginners” (ages 6-9). Kids must register in teams of two and age brackets include 6-7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-14 and Open. The three-day event has a fairly simple schedule with skills clinics held for all ages on Friday, the Expert Course held on Saturday and the Beginner Course held on Sunday. The course is a challenging 3 mile to 3.5 mile-long course that includes natural obstacles of hills and water along with zip lines, cargo net climbing, ropes courses, river tubing, a giant slip-and-slide and whatever else these maestros of fun can come up with.

The Cost
The registration fee per team is $160 and includes an athlete t-shirt, goodie bag with treats from race sponsors, a medal of completion and a pizza party. Option skills clinics are $60 per kid and include all four clinics. All cancellations received one week prior to race day will receive a refund minus a $15 handling fee; any cancellations received after that date will not receive a refund.

What to Bring
The following items will need to be supplied and will be used during the entire race. Please make sure to mark each item with your child’s name to prevent it from becoming lost on race day.

1. Mountain bike with knobby tires (please check tire pressure and brakes and adjust saddle ahead of time).

2. Bike helmet.

3. Bike gloves.

4. Bike shorts, rain jacket, socks and sturdy athletic shoes.

5. Water (minimum of 10 oz.).

6. Small back pack or hydration pack.

7. Small snack.

8. First aid kit: small plastic bag with some wet wipes, band aids, white tape and ointment.

9. A gallon-sized Ziploc bag (zippers are easiest).

Note: climbing harnesses and life jackets will be supplied by race organizers.

Skills Clinics
Although the skills clinics are optional, they will add to your kid’s enjoyment of the weekend and will probably calm a few nerves too. The day is dedicated to showing your kids “the ropes” which means teaching them skills needed and building up their confidence for the race that lies ahead of them. Four clinics will be offered including Adventure Racing 101, Climbing/Ropes Skills, Mountain Biking Skills and Team Building. The clinics are designed to take kids of any age, gender or athletic ability and prepare them for this outdoor multi-sport event. Clinics are limited to 60 kids per session, but if necessary, race organizers will add more to accommodate demand. The cost for the clinics is $60. Psst…click here to get a sneak peek.

The Courses
Kids will travel the three-mile cloverleaf course by mountain bike, by foot, on land or on water (personal flotation devices will be supplied by race organizers) which should take racers between 40 and 90 minutes to finish. There are a number of obstacles that kids will face during each section of the course that will be supervised by helping staff and volunteers who will give a hand when needed. At the end of each task, team members will receive a stamp proving that they completed the task at hand.

Race Day
Teams will be released at three wave times: 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and noon and all kids will need to be on hand one hour prior to their wave time to attend a race meeting. Teams will be fitted for climbing harnesses and maps will be handed out. Two teams will be sent out every two minutes and at the end, all racers will receive a medal at the finish line. Races should take between one and 1.5 hours to complete and parents are encouraged to follow along their children during the race and cheer, but are not allowed to participate in the race itself or help in any way. Races will be followed by a pizza party and awards ceremony.

Kids Adventures Games Schedule
Friday:
7:15 a.m. – Skills clinic morning session check-in
8 a.m.–noon – Morning session
12:15 p.m. – Skills clinic afternoon session check-in
1 p.m.–5 p.m. – Skills clinic afternoon session
3 p.m.–5 p.m. – Race check-in for Sat. & Sun.

Saturday and Sunday:
Wave 1:
8 a.m. – Check in
8:30 a.m. – Athlete meeting
9 a.m. – Wave 1 start

Wave 2:
9:30 am. – Check in
10 a.m. – Athlete meeting
10:30 a.m. – Wave 2 start

Wave 3:
11 a.m. – Check in
11:30 a.m. – Athlete meeting
Noon – Wave 3 start

11 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. – Pizza party
2:30 p.m. – Awards ceremony

Good to Know
1. Kids can compete with a teammate that is a different age. The age group of the team will be determined by the age of the oldest teammate.

2. Teams can be co-ed.

3. Each child needs a partner to participate.

4. Races take place rain or shine, so dress accordingly and be prepared for anything!

Kids Adventure Games
970-401-3804
Online: kidsadventuregames.com
Register: kidsadventuregames.com/case-studies/stevens-pass-washington

Stevens Pass
Summit Stevens Pass, US Hwy. 2
Skykomish, Wa 98288
206-812-4510
Online: stevenspass.com

—Jeffrey Totey

All photos courtesy of Kids Adventure Games.

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