Davis-Moore Blog

Lose the Training Wheels is a program that teaches youth and adults with disabilities how to ride a conventional bicycle.  It’s a five day camp, taking place at the Wichita Ice Center this upcoming June 21-25, 2010.  A national organization, Lose the Training Wheels partners with local social service agencies to host camps in their communities.  Here in Wichita, the camp is hosted by the Independent Living Resource Center, and Wichita is ALSO fortunate to have the executive director for this great organization right here locally – Matt Hampton of Goddard.  Said Hampton, “Our program has become well known in Wichita among professionals who work with children and adults with disabilities.  They understand the benefits of learning to ride.  And, of course, families of those who’ve learned to ride are very enthusiastic about our camps.”

How does it work?

Using specially adapted bicycles, professional staff members and numerous volunteers, participants receive 75 minutes of instruction every day for five days!  Over the course of the camp the bikes are continuously adjusted to challenge the participants more and more, as they gradually enjoy the skill and sense of achievement that comes with the joy of riding.  More than 80% of the participants in Lose the Training Wheels learn to ride a conventional bicycle on their own by the end of the week!  Many participants have tried for years to learn to ride a bike without much success – so these results are definitely incredible!

Some people wonder – why learn to ride a bike?  What does that teach, really?  For people who ask that…think back to when you were a kid and got to “lose the training wheels” from your bike for the first time….it’s a rite of passage for many children!  There are many benefits for the campers, including increased self esteem and confidence and increased peer inclusion, as well as positive changes in family dynamics when EVERYONE can participate in something like riding bikes together.  It also provides an instant improvement in quality of life through a recreational outlet, and gives participants access to independent transportation.  In essence, it is a great accomplishment with long-lasting positive advantages for the campers – ones they will be able to take with them forever!

Camp is FULL for 2010, but if you would like to inquire about future camps, please call  the Independent Living Resource Center at 942-6300 or visit www.losethetrainingwheels.org!  OR…come down to Wichita Ice Center this week and see what the fun is all about!

For more information, visit www.losethetrainingwheels.org

To register for camp, participants must meet the following criteria:

• Have a diagnosed disability
• Be at least eight years old
• Have a minimum inseam of 20 inches
• Weight less than 220 pounds
• Be able to walk without an assistive device
• Be able to side-step quickly
• Be able and willing to wear a properly fitted helmet

Event:                           Lose the Training Wheels

Purpose:                       A week-long camp for children and adults with disabilities. In five 75-minute sessions, people with disabilities who have not been able to ride a conventional bicycle are taught to ride using specially adapted bicycles.         

Date and time:              June 22-26, 2009. There will be five camp sessions:

                                                Session 1          8:30 a.m. –9:45 a.m.

                                                Session 2          10 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

                                                Session 3          11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

                                                Session 4          1:45 p.m. – 3 p.m.

                                                Session 5          3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

                                        June 26, 2009

                                                                           6 p.m.  - Celebration cookout for campers, families and volunteers. Followed by presentation of certificates of achievement.

Location:                  Wichita Ice Center

                                    505 W. Maple St.

                                    Wichita, KS  67213    

Lose the Training Wheels is a national nonprofit organization whose executive director, Matt Hampton, is a local resident. Independent Living Resource Center is local sponsor for LTTW’s camp in Wichita. Children and adults will use a series of adapted bicycles to become increasingly independent until they are able to ride on their own. About 100 volunteers will help with the camp. On average, 85% of participants learn to ride independently by the end of the camp. 

______________________________________________________________________________Independent Living Resource Center is a not-for-profit agency that provides resources and services to more than 4,000 people with disabilities in south-central Kansas each year. Services include information and referral, vocational training, independent living skills training, peer support, medical equipment loans, computer training, social and recreational activities, and community education. ILRC is celebrating its 25^th year in 2009.