Special Olympics Maine
(free) Events For Young Children
YOUNG ATHLETES FESTIVALS
Special Olympics Maine is excited to announce that they will be offering two free events for young children. Children ages 2-10 years old who have intellectual/developmental disabilities and/or autism, as well as their similar aged siblings or classmates, are invited to attend one or both festivals this Spring.
Friday MAY 10TH from 9:00 AM TO 11:00 AM Special Olympics Maine will offer its seventh annual Southern Maine YOUNG ATHLETES FESTIVAL for children ages 2 ½ to 10 who have Intellectual Disabilities or Autism. The Festival will take place at the FRANK H. HARRISON MIDDLE SCHOOL in YARMOUTH and will be conducted by Special Olympics Maine and the 8th grade students from the school. A rain date is scheduled for Monday May 13th.
On Friday May 24th (Rain date May 27th) the third annual Central Maine YOUNG ATHLETES FESTIVAL (YAP) will take place on the field at GARDINER AREA HIGH SCHOOL and will be conducted by student volunteers under the direction of the Interact Club at Gardiner High School.
Young Athletes is an introduction to the sports offered by Special Olympics, for young children who have Intellectual Disabilities or Autism. In order to compete in Special Olympics, a child must be at least 8 years old. We found that with so many children starting school at such a young age however, that many little ones were missing out on Special Olympics. Young Athletes was created by New Jersey Special Olympics as a way to prepare young children for a future in Special Olympics sports as well as school and rec sports.
Participants will learn about catching, balance, striking, kicking, jumping, throwing and more. They will have a chance to try balance bikes and enjoy a dance party break half way through. The 8th grade students at Frank H. Harrison Middle School and the student volunteers from Gardiner High School will run the children through a variety of fun sports skills stations throughout the event. The children will also have a chance to enjoy parachute time, bubbles, face painting, a snack, music and more. Each participating child will receive a t-shirt, Cinch Sack, and a medal at the end.
The best part about the Festival…it is FREE!!! An added bonus is that families, sitters, or teachers can bring similar aged siblings or class mates without disabilities along also.
Special Olympics started our own Young Athletes programs in Southern Maine 7 years ago and hopes to expand this free program in to all Maine communities. Young Athletes classes can be incorporated in to a class room setting, recreation departments, gymnasium, local church etc. The YAP Festivals will not only serve as a fun introduction to sports and to the program for future participants, coaches and volunteers but will also offer a fun annual event for the kids to look forward to.
Some amazing stories have come out of these events. Children learning to run the bases for the first time, or play catch with some-one. Last year we witnessed a child have his very first conversation with someone other than his mom or dad. We have also been able to witness wonderful things for our student volunteers. My favorite comment at the end of the event last year was from an 8th grader from Yarmouth, “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I just cannot stop smiling!”
Anyone who would like to register their child or their class can email Lisa Bird at lisab@somaine.org. Any teachers, recreation departments or potential coaches interested in starting a program in their school or area should also call Lisa at Special Olympics Maine. Lisa at work 879-0489, cell is 207-839-5578 or email lisab@somaine.org.
Lisa Bird has been the Director of Public Relations & Athlete/Youth/Law Enforcement Initiatives for Special Olympics Maine for 27 years. Lisa is a graduate of both the University of Maine in Farmington and Orono and sings in the Christian Band, Fulcrum. She lives in Gorham with her husband Frank of 21 years and their teenage, hockey playing sons Noah and Jonah.
Email: LisaB@somaine.org Phone: 207-879-0489
