Special bike program looking for volunteers, participants
Published 9:44 am Monday, April 16, 2012
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall University kinesiology department will once again host the Lose the Training Wheels Camp at Huntington High School July 16-20 and registration is now open.
Lose the Training Wheels is a non-profit charity that travels the country teaching children with disabilities (such as autism or Down Syndrome) how to independently ride a two-wheel bike. Through the use of their adapted bicycles and specialized training, Lose the Training Wheels staff members have an average success rate of more than 80 percent by the end of the camp.
“We’d really like to get some more kids from Ohio this year,” said Dr. Gregg Twietmeyer, assistant professor of kinesiology at MU.
Last year, 11 children signed up for the program.
Lose the Training Wheels conducts five 75 minute sessions of eight campers per day for a total of 35 campers. Each camper attends one session per day. The camp registration fee is $100.00. Scholarships are available for those in need.
At least 75 volunteers are needed to be spotters for the campers as they ride. Volunteers need to be at least sixteen years old and available for one 75-minute session all five days. Volunteers also need to be in shape to the point that they can “chase bikes” for 75 minutes with minimal breaks.
Contact Twietmeyer at twietmeyer@marshall.edu for more information and to fill out a volunteer form/waiver.
A brochure detailing the camp, as well as registration forms can be found at www.marshall.edu/lttw