By Jackie Lieuwen
Smithers/Interior News
Bursting with new confidence, 13 Smithers kids successfully pedalled their bikes for the first time last week.
The kids learned to bike at a week-long camp put on by the Bulkley Valley Child Development Centre at St. Joseph’s School. The camp was also held for 11 kids in Houston.
Parent Stephanie Wicks says the camp was amazing.
“It means a lot to Olivia to be around other kids who are like herself, who she can relate to and see that she is not the only one who can’t ride a bike,” Wicks said.
“It’s such a great experience.”
Pete Breuer agrees.
“It means so much for Eric to gain his confidence by learning how to ride a bike, and socialize and meet new friends during the summer.”
Breuer says his son feared falling off the bike, and through the camp he learned he was not alone in that fear.
At the camp, the kids slowly learned skills to handle a bike and gradually built up their confidence.
The goal of the camp is to help kids who need a little extra help, learn to ride their bikes, said coordinator Caitlyn DeBruyne.
The camp “is all about having a really fun and inclusive environment and then adapting the bikes themselves as well as the environment to teach them those skills.”
With help from sponsors, the BV Child Development Centre bought 11 new bikes which will be part of a bike loan program for families to loan bikes free for the summer.