iCan Bike has open spots

iCan Bike Camp volunteers and parents cheer as Matthew Hoover, 8, makes his first laps of the otudoor course during the 2017 camp. iCan Shine employee Amy Casale helps him steer and stay steady.
iCan Bike Camp volunteers and parents cheer as Matthew Hoover, 8, makes his first laps of the otudoor course during the 2017 camp. iCan Shine employee Amy Casale helps him steer and stay steady.

Nancy Hanson wants to make sure all parents experience the joy of watching their child take off on a bike.

For some children, learning to ride may be harder because of disabilities. That was the case for Hanson's own daughter, Shelby, who has a central nervous system disorder.

Shelby learned how to ride at an iCan Bike camp in St. Louis, and shortly afterward Hanson founded her own iCan Bike camp in Fulton. It's now in its third year and will run June 18-22 at 54 Country in Fulton.

"It's larger and we can have more riders - 40 instead of 30," Hanson said.

Currently, 11 of 40 spots remain open. Registration costs $150, but scholarships are available. Callaway County Special Services and Boone County Family Resources will help cover costs for people receiving their services who wish to attend the camp.

While the camp is targeted at children, adults (including Hanson's father) have attended in past years.

Hanson also needs folks to help ensure camp runs smoothly.

"We need volunteers for every session," she said.

There are five sessions each day.

"Bring your youth group or sports teams that need some conditioning," she said. "We also need cheerleaders and people who want to come and witness the joy. There's so much happiness."

She's also seeking sponsors - businesses, organizations or individuals who want to help fund a participant through camp. Donations of new bikes are welcome as well.

"They must be new bikes because they may need adaptations added to them," Hanson explained.

She encouraged parents to give their children a chance to learn. Being able to ride a bike offers valuable mobility and exercise options.

"I think that's the hardest part: convincing parents (their children) can do it and they can try," she said. "Balance is an issue; behavior is an issue. But we have all kinds of things to try and things to work with and volunteers to help. Our success rate is really high."