Special Olympics Great Britain (GB) Athlete Leadership Team members James Wyatt and Mitch Camp have both enjoyed the trip of a lifetime, having recently returned from the week-long Dream Ride Experience in the US.

James and Mitch, who were given the opportunity thanks to their elected roles on the Athlete Leadership Team, got to experience both New York City and Boston before joining other Special Olympics athletes from around the world at the Dream Ride car and motorbike festival in Farmington, Connecticut.

The three-day event is organised by the Hometown Foundation, which raises funds for several charities, including Special Olympics International.

“The experience gave me so much confidence as an athlete leader, but as a person more importantly,” said James.

Tom Casson, Head of Projects (Impact and Inclusion) at Special Olympics GB, said: “Whilst much of Dream Ride is themed around athletes having a fantastic time, we want the trip to ultimately support their development, and help them to gain new skills, particularly around their independence.

Both James and Mitch have been part of a Special Olympics World Games, but this was a different experience in that we wanted them to be the decision makers throughout the trip. They were set challenges of meeting new people throughout the festival to support their confidence, and they couldn’t have done more.
By Tom Casson

The journey for James and Mitch started in New York City with two days of sightseeing, which included a visit to watch the New York Yankees baseball team and the Broadway theatre production of Wicked.

They subsequently moved on to a 24-hour stay in Boston, where they had boat tours around the harbour, before moving on to Dream Ride. Here, they joined more than 400 other athletes for the opening ceremony before, in-keeping with the Dream Ride traditions, got to experience a cruise in one of the impressive vehicles showcased throughout the festival. As part of the closing ceremony, each athlete also got to walk down the Dream Ride red carpet before a disco and celebration event.

“This was my first trip away from family since the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles,” said Mitch. “I felt that I have developed so much since then, in that I now have the confidence to talk to and network with other athletes and the staff at the Hometown Foundation.

“Having the independence throughout the Dream Ride week has given me options to think about in the future. I want to be a role model for other Special Olympics GB athletes and show them where they can get to if they work hard.”

James added: “It feels good to know how much I have progressed in recent years. Dream Ride has helped me realise how far I have come, thanks to the opportunities that I have been given as an Athlete Leader.

“Taking up such an opportunity as this and seeing what the likes of our fellow athletes Ian Harper and Kiera Byland are doing, makes me want to push myself to travel more and take a bigger role within the Special Olympics movement and to travel more.”