Eastside Family YMCA hosts 12th annual iCan Bike Camp

ican bike camp

Thiry-two people with disabilities recently learned how to ride a bike at the Eastside Family YMCA’s 12th Annual iCan Bike Camp

The five-day camp was held June 23-27 at Taylors First Baptist Church. Campers received 75 minutes of instruction each day to practice the skills needed to ride a conventional two-wheel bicycle independently. The camp was available for children, teens and adults. 

iCan Bike Camp
Eastside Family YMCA held its 13th Annual iCan Bike Camp from June 23 to 27 at Taylors First Baptist Church. Photos by Megan Fitzgerald

Eastside Family YMCA partnered with iCan Bike, a national nonprofit charitable organization, to host the event. The camp was sponsored by Coca-Cola, Prisma Health, Greenville Spinners Safety Foundation, Benchmark Bicycle Supply Co. and Taylors First Baptist Church. 

William Coates, director of development at Eastside Family YMCA, said that learning to ride a bike helps children gain confidence and pushes them to try new things. According to iCan Bike, approximately 80% of riders successfully learn to ride a bike by the end of camp.

“It’s remarkable,” Coates said. “I’ve seen kids that could barely step on a bike, even just working with the handles, go from that, and then Friday just riding by themselves.”

Campers practiced balancing, steering and pedaling on a bike using specialty training wheels throughout the week until they were ready to ride unassisted. Around 68 volunteers worked with the campers during the five-day camp. At the end of camp, each camper received a brand new bike. 

Teresa Nodine, a camp parent, expressed her gratitude for the Eastside Family YMCA and the volunteers who have helped her son, Andrew, learn how to ride a bike. Andrew is 16 years old and has Down syndrome.

“It’s such a blessing to see him just be able to participate in something that other people do that we take for granted,” Nodine said.  



Fast Fact

Research has found that more than 80% of people with Autism and 90% of people with Down syndrome never learn to ride a two-wheel bike. 

Source: iCan Bike

The post Eastside Family YMCA hosts 12th annual iCan Bike Camp appeared first on GREENVILLE JOURNAL.

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