Pedaling Toward Possibility: iCanShine Bike Camp 2025

Just down the street from Westcliff University and the newly opened Westcliff Early Learning Academy, the sound of laughter, cheers, and the steady hum of wheels filled The Rinks – Irvine Inline from August 4–8. For the third year in a row, Westcliff University proudly sponsored the annual iCanShine Bike Camp, hosted by Unlimited Possibilities (UP), an Orange County-based nonprofit—now part of Rady Children’s Health. This was also the second year partnering with iCan Shine, an international nonprofit that teaches individuals with disabilities to ride conventional two-wheel bicycles.

Thanks to Westcliff’s sponsorship, the camp was completely free for every participant, with all registration fees covered. More than 100 volunteers, many of them Westcliff students and staff, joined forces with local community members to help campers achieve what, for many, had once felt impossible: riding a bike on their own.

More Than Just Riding a Bike

The week-long camp brought together 40 children with varied abilities, each determined to take on the challenge of cycling. Guided by iCan Shine’s experienced staff, including two team members who traveled across the country to Irvine, campers took part in daily 75-minute sessions designed to build balance, coordination, and confidence. Specially adapted bicycles allowed each rider to progress at their own pace, gradually transitioning to standard two-wheel bikes.

Some campers arrived nervous, unsure if they could ride at all. By midweek, those same riders were grinning from ear to ear, pedaling on their own, and feeling the freedom that comes with independence. Walter Bufkin Jr., parent to camper Tré, shared: “This has been years in the making. We have been working on teaching him how to ride for probably 5 or 6 years now. It gives him so much confidence and independence. It’s incredible.”

It was an emotion-filled scene midweek when Tré got up on two wheels, riding solo for the first time ever. One of Tré’s volunteers, Westcliff’s Academic Operations Manager James Jones, who had been with him all week, was equally thrilled with the accomplishment, saying, “Once he saw that we were running beside him but no longer holding on, and he was riding solo, you could just see the light bulb go off that he was doing it. From there, he just took off. That’s what makes this all worth it, moments like that.”

From that moment, Tré soared, doing lap after lap, making sharp turns, and getting faster and faster. It was as if he had been riding for years. His parents were astounded and ecstatic, cheering him on and stunned by what they saw in front of them: their son riding a bike on his own for the very first time.

When asked his favorite part about Bike Camp, Tré aptly replied, “Going fast.” And his need for speed didn’t stop there. Wearing his signature green mohawk helmet, his abilities and technical skills continued to flourish for the rest of the week, improving minute by minute. Walter couldn’t wait for what lay ahead now that Tré had mastered this new skill, saying, “This is a family milestone. It opens up so much for us, we can now go riding bikes together as a family.”

Friendship, Fun, and Newfound Freedom

While learning to ride was the central goal, the bonds formed between campers and volunteers were equally memorable. From swapping stickers to celebrating milestones with hugs and high fives, every connection built over the week was rooted in encouragement and mutual trust.

For Westcliff students, some from the College of Education, the camp was also a learning opportunity. “It’s helpful for our careers to work with children of all abilities,” shared student volunteer, Asavari. “But more than that, we just wanted to give back.”

Volunteers’ days began before campers arrived, setting up equipment and preparing the bikes. Once the sessions began, they ran alongside the riders, providing steady support and celebrating every sign of progress. Whether or not a camper reached the two-wheel milestone by Friday, each one left with new skills, greater confidence, and the joy of shared accomplishment.

A Celebration to Remember

Friday’s closing ceremony was a moment of pure pride and joy. Riders completed their final laps before running through a tunnel of cheering volunteers to receive certificates and teddy bears, greeted by proud parents eager to capture the moment on camera.

Dr. Anthony Lee, Westcliff’s President and CEO, joined in to run alongside riders earlier in the week, later sharing, “Our core value of community is huge to us, and this is one of the ways we give back. I’m so proud of our staff and students for showing up, this year we had the most student volunteers yet, which really says something about the Westcliff community.”

The Impact Lasts Far Beyond the Week

For iCan Shine’s Floor Supervisor Kaitlyn Schmidt, the camp’s impact doesn’t end on Friday. “This is just the beginning of their biking journey,” she said. “What never gets old is the emotion of it all, seeing a rider’s confidence blossom. It really takes a village, and we are so thankful for sponsors like Westcliff for giving this gift of learning to ride a bike to these kids.”

Veteran Westcliff volunteer Amy DiBello, Director of Alumni Affairs and Career Services, summed it up perfectly: “I look forward to bike camp all year. Riding a bike for the first time gives you freedom and joy, and everyone deserves to feel that.”

International MBA student Sana, who worked with riders in multiple sessions all week, hopes to bring what he’s learned back home to Pakistan. “It is so impactful. I have enjoyed this so much,” he said.

Riding Forward

In just five days, dozens of campers made progress they, and sometimes even their families, never thought possible. Some learned to ride completely independently. Others built the skills and confidence to keep working toward that goal. All left with new friends, cherished memories, and the knowledge that their community believes in them.