OLYMPIC VALLEY, Calif. — The Kids Adventure Games will make a stop at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows this weekend, June 24-26, and offer participants the thrill of adventure racing. The country’s premier adventure race for kids ages 6 to 14 will come through Tahoe for the third straight year.

“Adventure racing is a thrilling sport,” event co-founder Billy Mattison said. “It combines physical and mental challenges, teamwork and good-natured competition — and just as importantly, it’s a lot of fun. We’re excited to return to Squaw and watch the kids grow by challenging themselves throughout the weekend.”

This year’s games will feature teams of two navigating an adventure course with biking, trekking, rope swings, mud pits, cargo nets, a giant Slip‘N Slide, ziplines and other exciting obstacles. Liesl Kenney, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows public relations director, said the Kids Adventure Games bring an adrenaline-packed weekend where families spend time together, unplugging from technology and cheering their racers and other racers on.

“We’re looking forward to watching hundreds of kids challenge themselves on our fun terrain here at Squaw Valley,” Kenney said. “Everyone, adults especially, can learn from the way these kids approach the obstacles — and seeing the confidence boost in the kids afterwards is really incredible.”

Registration continues until midnight Thursday, June 23 at http://www.kidsadventuregames.com. With last summer’s race sellout, early registration is encouraged.

Adventure racers also have an opportunity to participate in skills clinics on Friday, June 24 to practice and perfect skills including teamwork, biking and climbing. Cost is $180 until the race fills; skills clinics are optional and cost $55 per participant.

Whereas most races allow parents to help and coach their kids, Kids Adventure Games mandates the course as a parent-free zone, keeping them on the sidelines as cheerleaders. According to Mattison, an international adventurer and racer, parents remain astounded at what their kids can accomplish.

The Kids Adventure Games originated in Vail, Colorado, seven years ago and now features eight races across the nation. The 2016 races schedule includes stops in West Virginia, Utah, Vermont, Colorado and California, and concludes Sept. 3-4 in Big Bear Lake, California.