iCan Shine Portland, ME

What is iCanBike Camp? iCanShine is a non-profit organization that partners with local communities to provide adaptive recreational opportunities for children and youth with disabilities. Specifically, the iCan Bike program offers a one week learn to ride camp to teach children with disabilities how to ride a two wheel bicycle. Since 2007 iCanShine has successfully established over 100+ camps in 35 different states with the vision of providing children and youth with disabilities opportunities to learn new skills, have fun and be fit.

What happens at the iCanBike Camp? The iCan Bike camp includes a one week (Monday through Friday) camp for children ages 8 or older with a disability who are unable to ride a bike and meet the minimum requirements to participate in the program. Participants engage in a 75 minute session of bike riding each day using adaptive roller technology while being paired with two volunteers. There are up to 5 sessions per day accommodating up to 40 total participants in the iCan Ride camp.

 

Who can benefit from the iCanBike Camp? The iCan Bike program has a huge success rate with 80% of riders learning to bike independently following the one week camp. All participants improve their riding skills and are given the tools to continue structured practice at the completion of the camp. Riders must meet this minimum requirements: be at least 8 years old (no upper age limit), have a disability, walk without an assistive device (e.g., walker or cane), be able to side step swiftly to both sides, be able to wear a properly fitted bike helmet at all times when on a bicycle, have a minimum inseam measurement of at least 20” when measured from the floor wearing sneakers, and not exceed 220 lbs.

 

When and where is the camp taking place? The camp is scheduled for June 22-26th, 2020. It will be held at the Casco Bay Arena located at 22 Hat Trick Drive in Falmouth, Maine, just outside of the Portland Metro area.

How do I sign my child up? Registration can be completed online at the iCanShine website https://icanshine.org/ican-bike-portland-me/. If you need assistance with registration or have any questions about the process please contact Betsy Cyr at icanbike.portlandme@gmail.com.

How can I help volunteer for iCanBike? We will need 60-80 volunteers to help make the camp a success. Volunteers must be 15+ years old and able to jog 3 miles during a 75 minute volunteer session. It is ideal to have volunteers pick a 75 minute time slot and assist Monday through Friday for the duration of the bike camp. For more details and to sign up for volunteering check out the website https://icanshine.org/ican-bike-portland-me/.

 

How else can I help iCanBike Portland, ME? We are looking for community partners and sponsors to help support the cost to run the camp. Even small donations go a long way to reduce the cost to host the camp and pay rental facility fees. iCanShine is a non-profit organization and the camp is hosted by me, a local Physical Therapist. It is a passion of mine to offer this camp to the many children and young adults in the area who will not only learn a new life skill, but gain confidence and build friendships along the way! To make a donation please visit our website https://icanshine.org/support-sponsor-specific-camp-location/ and select the Portland, Maine location. All donations go directly to the local iCanBike Portland, ME camp and are tax deductible!