Kaitlynn's Place

Special needs children often lack in self esteem, inclusion from peers, recreation activities, and independent transportation. It might not sound so obvious at first, but a simple activity like riding a bicycle provides a gateway for all of the above. As the child masters the seemingly impossible task of riding a bike, they gain self esteem and confidence in themselves. After mastering their skill, they can experience the independence of doing an act without caregivers helping them and participate in recreational bicycling with peers.



“Lose The Training Wheels” is a program that teaches children with disabilities how to ride a traditional bike without training wheels. Parent’s of autistic, ADHD, Down Syndrome, etc.. children often spend years trying to teach their child to  ride a bike.  The Lose The Training Wheels program is based on over 20 years of research by Dr. Richard E. Klein and his students at the University of Illinois. Dr. Klein created the first bike camp in 1999 in LaCrosse Wisconsin . By 2006, the program had grown to over 30 camps. Then in January of 2007, the program became Lose The Training Wheels Inc., a non-profit organization.  In 2010, Lose The Training Wheels  has 60 camps across the United States and Canada.  

The Lose The Training Wheels camps teach children to balance, pedal, steer, and take off on their own by using just five (75 minute)  riding sessions. The program says that over 80% of the children  are at least able to balance on a bicycle by the end of the five day camp. Each child has one or two volunteers that provide one on one physical and emotional support.



Eligibility Requirements: 

Have a disability
Be at least 8-years-old
Be able to walk without an assistive device ie- walker or cane
Be willing or able to wear a bike helmet
Be able to side step quickly to both sides
Have an inseam measurement of 20”
Be under 220 lbs
                                                                       source


Schedule of Camps for 2010:
May 10 to May 14, 2010 - Fairfax County, VA.
May 17 to May 21, 2010 - Fairfax County, VA.
June 7 to June 11, 2010 - Ridgeland MS.
June 7 to June 11, 2010 - Indianapolis, IN.
June 7 to June 11, 2010 - Danville, IL.
June 7 to June 11, 2010 - South Bend, IN.
June 7 to June 11, 2010 - Parkersburg, WV.
June 7 to June 11, 2010 - Omaha, NE.
June 14 to June 18, 2010 - Rohnert Park, CA.
June 14 to June 18, 2010 - Grand Rapids, MI.
June 14 to June 18, 2010 - Columbus, OH.
June 14 to June 18, 2010 - Frankfort, IL.
June 14 to June 18, 2010 - Pittsburgh, PA.
June 14 to June 18, 2010 - Midland, MI.
June 21 to June 25, 2010 - Portland, OR.
June 21 to June 25, 2010 - Columbus, OH.
June 21 to June 25, 2010 - Charlotte, NC.
June 21 to June 25, 2010 - Wichita, KS.
June 21 to June 25, 2010 - Allentown, Pa.
June 21 to June 25, 2010 - Milwaukee, WI.
June 21 to June 25, 2010 - St. Louis, MO.
June 28 to July 2, 2010 - Bloomington, IL.
June 28 to July 2, 2010 - Columbia, MD.
June 28 to July 2, 2010 - Highlands Ranch (Denver), CO.
June 28 to July 2, 2010 - Buffalo, NY.
June 28 to July 2, 2010 - Longview, WA.
June 28 to July 2, 2010 - Chattanooga, TN.
July 5 to July 9, 2010 - Nanaimo, BC.
July 5 to July 9, 2010 - Schenectady, NY.
July 5 to July 9, 2010 - Highlands Ranch (Denver), CO.
July 5 to July 9, 2010 - Evansville, IN.
July 5 to July 9, 2010 - Rochester, NY.
July 5 to July 9, 2010 - Dallas, TX.
July 6 to July 10, 2010 - Atlanta, GA.
July 12 to 16, 2010 - Madison, WI.
July 12 to 16, 2010 - Nashville, TN.
July 12 to 16, 2010 - Harrisburg, PA.
July 12 to 16, 2010 - Victoria, BC.
July 12 to 16, 2010 - Ann Arbor, MI.
July 19 to July 23, 2010 - Marquette, MI.
July 19 to July 23, 2010 - Columbia, MO.
July 19 to July 23, 2010 - Cincinnati, OH.
July 19 to July 23, 2010 - Jacksonville, FL.
July 26 to July 30, 2010 - West Hartford, CT.
July 26 to July 30, 2010 - Rochester Hills, MI.
July 26 to July 30, 2010 - Charleston, SC.
July 26 to July 30, 2010 - St. Paul, MN
July 26 to July 30, 2010 - Toledo, OH.
August 2 to August 6, 2010 - Orange County, CA.
August 2 to August 6, 2010 - Lombard, IL.
August 2 to August 6, 2010 - Peoria, IL.
August 2 to August 6, 2010 - Falls Church, VA.
August 2 to August 6, 2010 - Owings Mills, MD.
August 9 to August 13, 2010 – San Antonio, TX.
August 9 to August 13, 2010 – Richmond, VA.
August 9 to August 13, 2010 - Rockford, IL.
August 30 to September 3, 2010 - Windsor, ON.


For more information about each date, requirements for participation, and info about how to enroll in each camp visit the Lose The Training Wheels Camp Schedule.   Learn how to get involved and host a camp. Learn how you can donate to Lose The Training Wheels.