Easterseals Seeking Sponsors and Volunteers for Upcoming iCan Bike Camp

If you think about it, learning how to ride a bike as a kid gives us our first taste of freedom and independence. Much like getting your driver's license and finally having the ability to go where you want to go when you want to go there without having to rely on someone else, once you get the hang of riding a bike, that feeling of taking off down the road with the wind in your face and no one around (specifically your parents) is exhilarating. It's a feeling most of us take for granted and one that individuals with disabilities would love the opportunity to feel. Thanks to the Easterseals Rehabilitation Center in Evansville those individuals can get that opportunity with the upcoming iCan Bike Program.

What is iCan Bike?

According to Easterseals, the day camp program is "designed for individuals age 8 and up with mild to moderate disabilities or disabling conditions such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism, coordination issues, etc." Attendees receive one-on-one assistance while learning how to ride bikes using modified and adapted bicycles.

Basically, the camp allows them to learn how to ride a bike despite their disability, so they too can have some fun and gain some confidence knowing there is something they can do without assistance that other kids get to do every day.

Campers receive 75 minutes of instruction each day over the course of the five-day camp with the goal being that each will be able to ride a standard, two-wheel bicycle without any training wheels or adaptations to the bike.

Easterseals iCan Bike Camp Registration Deadline Coming Soon

If you or someone you know has a child or is an adult with disabilities that would like to participate in the camp, the registration deadline is Friday, May 5th. The registration fee is $200 per person which includes the five-day “bike camp,” a bicycle safety helmet, and an “iCan Bike” t-shirt. The cost also helps Easterseals bring the fleet of unique adapted bicycles to Evansville. If that price is too steep for you, financial assistance is available thanks to the generosity of area donors.

The camp will run from June 5th-9th and consists of two sessions each day; 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM.

Volunteers and Sponsors Needed

If you are interested in helping cover the cost for one of the campers by sponsoring them or would like to help them learn how to ride during the camp, contact Patty Balbach at 812-479-1411, ext. 268, or pbalbach@evansvillerehab.com.

[Source: Easterseals Rehabilitation Center]