MHS Students Bike 60 Miles and Earn Cycling Merit Badges This Summer

This summer, two Milton Hershey School middle schoolers embraced health and wellness by pursuing their Boy Scout cycling merit badges for mountain biking. Matt Dick, an MHS eighth-grader, and Christopher Metzger, a seventh-grader, worked with MHS Coordinator of Student Health Services Chris Rich to fulfill the merit badge requirements by biking approximately 60 miles in one week on local trails.

“The boys did a great job, and they challenged and pushed themselves throughout the week,” Rich said. “They learned about basic bike maintenance and applied their skills to complete repairs on their bikes.”

The students gained experience biking on a variety of terrains including single tracks, technical trails, and paved sidewalks. As they built their endurance and encouraged one another, they were able to bike up to 22 miles in one day.

“It was gratifying to see their excitement for cycling, Boy Scouts, and the Year-Round Experiences program at MHS and watch their growth throughout the week in both physical stamina and knowledge,” Rich added.

Both students received new helmets, and as part of the badge requirements, they also learned how to fix and maintain their bikes. When faced with minor challenges on the trail, Matt and Christopher applied their knowledge to successfully repair the problems.

By the end of the week, both students fulfilled the requirements needed to earn their cycling merit badge.

“It was a  good experience and I would do it again. Biking is fun, so it was something I was looking forward to doing,” Matt said.

Through summer wellness opportunities and activities throughout the school year, Milton Hershey School students learn how to maintain their personal health and physical well-being in order to live long, happy, and healthy lives.