Department Links

> Departments > Human Services > CYF > Adolescent Services > NYPUM

National Youth Project Using Minibikes (NYPUM)

NYPUM is an Experiential Therapy program for children and youth ages 10-16. NYPUM staff have been trained by Honda and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation to teach kids to ride minibikes (off-road motorcycles). After the youth learn to ride the motorcycle, they are expected to earn riding time by achieving three goals each week. Often the families develop goals around achieving good grades at school, attending school each day, following rules at home, and learning to control aggression. The families and youth track these goals each week and report to NYPUM staff their progress. Three goals typically translate into two hours of riding each week. Some groups include a Multi Family Parenting Group. Weekend rides are part of the NYPUM experience, happening approximately four times per six month group. Depending on weather, Larimer County NYPUM has a camping trip at the end of each group. Sometimes it is a weekend of alternative activities, and other times a trip into the mountains.

Wild Ones Poker Run

The Wild Ones Poker Run is the big fund raising effort that NYPUM runs each year in an effort to pay for extra expenses. The poker run is an organized event using a motorcycle, where participants travel over a pre-designated route and, at designated stops on the route, draw playing cards. The object is to have the best poker hand at the end of the run. Prizes are awarded for the best hand. NYPUM makes money through the registration fees, donations, and at the end point, we do an auction and drawing. Please enter into our Wild Ones Poker Run web site for more information about how you can participate or donate.

Contact

Program Coordinator
Marie Villescas, LCSW
970-980-2254
mvillescas@larimer.org

Program Caseworker
David Driver
970-980-2253
ddriver@larimer.org

Seeking Interns:

Grant Writer, 10 hours/week
Intake Specialist, 10 hours/week
Case Aid, 10 hours/week
Track Safety Supervisor, varies

Larimer County NYPUM Track and Field
2555 Midpoint Drive
Fort Collins, CO 80525

Mission

NYPUM is an integrative project between the Larimer County Department of Human Services and the Larimer Center for Mental Health. NYPUM is designed to provide the children and families of Larimer County an opportunity to make positive changes in their lives by offering an exciting and challenging environment intended to support children as they make changes at school, home and in the community.

Partners

NYPUM Partners:

National

NYPUM began in 1969 as an innovative way to engage youth and promote their development. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. donated 10,000 minibikes because they recognized that some children were not interested in traditional sports and didn't respond to other youth services, but the lure of the outdoors and the experience of riding minibikes was very exciting. NYPUM uses this excitement as an incentive for youth to improve their lives. Integral to NYPUM's design is an essential mentoring component to guide and support youth to make good decisions.

Presently operating 44 programs in urban, suburban and rural communities from Los Angeles to Boston, NYPUM programs are run by non-profit or municipal youth agencies. NYPUM's commitment to America's youth has never been stronger because the obstacles facing children today have never been greater. We pledge to continue our work with youth by using the minibike as a means of getting them involved in a healthy peer group with positive adult role models, all centered around exciting and challenging activities.

Mission Statement

"NYPUM provides at-risk youth of America an opportunity to develop self-esteem, strong values and a sense of responsibility using the minibike as a motivational tool."

Please call NYPUM at 1-800-75-NYPUM, ext. 1 or send email to info@nypum.org to learn more about who we are.
www.nypum.org

Photos