The Green Bay Packers and American Family Insurance on Tuesday celebrated the official opening of the American Family Insurance DreamDrive and DreamZone training camp activities for the third year.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place Tuesday morning to recognize the DreamDrive, the specially designed bike experience for Packers fans and families at training camp, centered on the storied training camp tradition where Packers players ride children's bikes to and from practice.
The Dream Fleet, five special bikes incorporating themes that celebrate Wisconsin's rich heritage, is provided by the Packers and American Family Insurance. For a second year, kids from the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Green Bay have the opportunity to meet players and ride the special bikes to practice with them.
The ribbon cutting also unveiled a new, special DreamDrive bike for this year, a special Packers-themed adaptive bike with a specially designed wheel that uses the rider's hands and arms to pedal. On Tuesday, a player riding the adaptive bike was joined by George Highshaw, a 7-year-old from Milwaukee who was born with spina bifida, riding his own similarly designed bike. As part of American Family Insurance's new "Kid Coach" program, George served as the "coach" to the player, offering advice on how to operate the bike. Please visit dreamfearlessly.com/kid-coach/ for more information on the "Kid Coach" campaign.
Each year as a new bike is added to the Dream Fleet, another bike is retired. This year, the Tauscher Transmitterbike from 2015 will be on display in the DreamZone and its namesake, former Packers player Mark Tauscher, will be on hand for photo opportunities with fans.
The American Family Insurance DreamZone, an interactive area located in the Tundra Tailgate Zone, also opened Tuesday, and features activities during the first week of training camp (July 26 to Aug. 1). Activities include punting and field goal challenges, football toss, tire runs, dress-up wall photo booth and a Lambeau Leap area. DreamZone also features engaging activities centered on the pursuit of dreams, including interactive Packers trivia pylons and community walls prompting fans to answer dream-related questions throughout the area.
The DreamZone will host a daily "Chalk Talk" presentation in the Tundra Tailgate Zone, featuring a different Packers player, coach or alumnus speaking about pursuing their dreams. Speakers include Coach Mike McCarthy, Mark Tauscher, Antonio Freeman and Ahman Green. For a full schedule of speakers from July 26 to Aug. 1, please visit http://www.packers.com/news-and-events/training-camp/things-to-do.html
"We're about inspiring and protecting dreams, and being associated with a team and a stadium where so many dreams have been imagined and fulfilled is especially rewarding," said Dan Kelly, American Family Insurance CFO/treasurer. "We're excited to celebrate the opening of the DreamDrive and the DreamZone, and we're hoping to inspire Packers fans to dream fearlessly."
Both training camp activities are included in the partnership between the Packers and the Madison-based insurance company, which has been a partner of the team since 2005. The partnership also includes the American Family Insurance Gate on the stadium's east side, allowing fans easy access to the Atrium, 1919 Kitchen & Tap, the Packers Pro Shop and the Packers Hall of Fame.
About American Family Insurance
Madison, Wis.-based American Family Insurance is the nation's 13th-largest mutual property/casualty insurance group and ranks 332nd on the Fortune 500 list. The company sells American Family-brand products, including auto, homeowners, life, business and farm/ranch insurance, through its exclusive agents in 19 states. American Family affiliates (**The General**, **Homesite** and **AssureStart**) also provide options for consumers who want to manage their insurance matters directly over the Internet or by phone. Web **www.amfam.com**; Facebook **www.facebook.com/amfam**; Twitter **www.twitter.com/amfam**; Google **plus.google.com/ amfam/**.
