iCan Bike Camp
|
|
iCan Bike is a camp that teaches children, teens,and young adults with disabilities how to ride a two-wheeled bicycle in one 75-minute session for five days. iCan Bike (previously known as Lose the Training Wheels) uses adapted equipment, trained professionals, and volunteers. Within the five days, over 80% of participants learn to ride a conventional bicycle independently. The camp is run by the professionals of ICan Shine with help from local volunteers. Check out the ICan Shine video library.
|
iCan Bike is more than just a bike-riding program. For many children with disabilities, learning to ride a bike is a seemingly impossible task that they can typically master in less than a week’s time during this camp. Within days of learning to ride, many children exhibit independent behaviors for the first time ever. This achievement, in turn, creates a gateway of opportunity, helping them gain assurance and self-reliance in many other aspects of their lives.
“Bike riding is Ava's favorite activity, I cannot imagine her without her bike. Riding independently has given Ava confidence, promoted a healthy lifestyle, and lets her have fun with all kids. iCan Bike is amazing. I was thrilled that after five 75-minute sessions Ava was able to ride a two-wheeled bike independently. Our family is very excited that iCan Bike is coming to Bloomington to provide other kids with disabilities the opportunity to learn a life changing activity.”
Tuli Mukhopadhyay, parent, Down Syndrome Family Connection |
Check out this video from the Bloomington Herald-Times about the iCanBike Bloomington camp.
|
News and Tidbits
- Our camp is a wrap for 2015! It was a huge success: all 24 rider spots filled, full funding for the camp, and a great group of volunteers! Check out our iCanBike-Bton Facebook page for pics and stories from the camp. We are thinking about when to offer it again. Keep ear open for more news and/or send email to express interest in a future camp: icanbikebloomington@gmail.com
- Thanks to our sponsors!
- There were some good articles about the camp, in the IDS, and the Herald-Times. Thanks for the coverage!
- And here's a video from the HT.
- See our story in this Indiana Daily Student article: "Everyone can ride".
- A new an additional method for donations is now available at our gofundme site!
- Bike to Work Day BlockParty at Bloomingfoods (near westside location) 530-800, May 15! (flyer). Proceeds will go to iCanBike-Bloomington. Find more info at the Bloomingfoods Events Page. Come out and visit , listen to music, hang out with bicycle people, and support us!
- Come visit us at the Active Living Coalition Fair on May 30, 9-12, at the Bloomington Farmers Market.
Join iCan Bike as a Rider!
First, read these Rider Registration Guidelines.
Then complete our Online Rider Application.
First, read these Rider Registration Guidelines.
Then complete our Online Rider Application.
|
The rider registration fee is $150 and the deadline for registration is June 15, 2015. After June 15, we can not guarantee a spot and the registration fee is $200. To pay the registration fee securely via PayPal click here:
|
|
To submit a payment via check, make payable to DSFC and indicate "iCan Bike Camp Rider Registration" in the memo. We must receive it within 5 business days to hold your rider's space.
You can also fill out this (pdf) Rider Application Form and email or mail to us.
Limited scholarship opportunities are available; please contact us for additional details and to request a scholarship application.
You can also fill out this (pdf) Rider Application Form and email or mail to us.
Limited scholarship opportunities are available; please contact us for additional details and to request a scholarship application.
Volunteers Needed!
Volunteers are needed to play an important part in helping our special riders learn to ride a two-wheel bicycle independently. No prior experience with people with disabilities is necessary!
To volunteer as a spotter you must meet these requirements:
If you are interested in volunteering as a spotter for our 2015 camp, please complete our online Volunteer Registration Form or fill out this (pdf) Volunteer Registration Form and submit via email or mail to us.
Volunteers are needed to play an important part in helping our special riders learn to ride a two-wheel bicycle independently. No prior experience with people with disabilities is necessary!
To volunteer as a spotter you must meet these requirements:
- At least 16 years old
- Able to attend 90 minutes at the same time each of the 5 days of camp
- Able to provide physical, emotional, and motivational support to assigned rider
- Able and willing to get some exercise (light jogging/running) for a great cause
If you are interested in volunteering as a spotter for our 2015 camp, please complete our online Volunteer Registration Form or fill out this (pdf) Volunteer Registration Form and submit via email or mail to us.
How You Can Help!
We are very lucky to have the opportunity to host the iCan Bike program in Bloomington. But we need your help to make this program a big success.
We are seeking organizational sponsors, as well as individual donors, to help cover the cost of hosting this wonderful program in our community.
By making a tax-deductible donation, you can ensure that we have the funds we need to pay for the great staff and equipment to travel here, help us keep the rider registration fees reasonable, offer scholarships for those families with financial need, and make sure that we have everything we need to make our camp as successful as it can be.
We are very lucky to have the opportunity to host the iCan Bike program in Bloomington. But we need your help to make this program a big success.
We are seeking organizational sponsors, as well as individual donors, to help cover the cost of hosting this wonderful program in our community.
By making a tax-deductible donation, you can ensure that we have the funds we need to pay for the great staff and equipment to travel here, help us keep the rider registration fees reasonable, offer scholarships for those families with financial need, and make sure that we have everything we need to make our camp as successful as it can be.
|
There are many options for sponsorship. For example:
|
Recognition opportunities for sponsors include:
|
|
We need donors to help finance the camp! Please complete our online Sponsorship form or this (pdf) Sponsorship Form. You may donate securely via PayPal here or mail us a check with your donation. Or use our new method at gofundme/icanbike.
Whatever your donation, you will be helping kids in our community gain independence, self-esteem and inclusion opportunities with their family and community! |
|
Contact us
To mail forms or ask questions please contact us at:
USMail:
iCan Bike - Bloomington
c/o Down Syndrome Family Connection
2600 S. Henderson St., Suite 157
Bloomington, IN 47401
Email: icanbikebloomington@gmail.com
Phone: Deborah Myerson, (812) 993-0898
To mail forms or ask questions please contact us at:
USMail:
iCan Bike - Bloomington
c/o Down Syndrome Family Connection
2600 S. Henderson St., Suite 157
Bloomington, IN 47401
Email: icanbikebloomington@gmail.com
Phone: Deborah Myerson, (812) 993-0898
Links
- iCan Shine, Inc.: www site, iCan Bike brochure, video library
- Flyers: Promo Flyer #1 , Promo Flyer #2 ; Volunteer recruitment flyer
- Sponsorship Letter
- Rider registration forms: Online form, pdf form.
- Volunteer registration forms: Online form, pdf form.
- Sponsorship forms: Online form, pdf form.
- biketowork party: Announcement.
