Special Olympics

Special Olympics

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.  

There are 13 different areas in the State of Ohio.  Geauga County Board of Developmental Disabilities is in area 12, along with Lake County, Lorain County and Cuyahoga County. 

Participants must be 8 years of age or older and have a current Application for Participation signed by their physician and on file with the Recreation Department.

There may be fees for certain sports and certain activities.  Generally, the fee is minimal and is usually for overnight lodging.

Geauga County offers 10 different sports throughout the year.  Practices are held once a week, and last anywhere from nine to fifteen weeks at Metzenbaum Center, unless stated otherwise.  Practices are typically held from 3:00-5:00 p.m. and parents/guardians are asked to pick up the athletes after practice.   There are area events that take place throughout the year.  participants must compete in the area meet in order to attend the State meet.

Fall Sports

Team Bowling

Team bowling begins in the beginning of September and runs through the end of October.  A team consists of two or four players.  The state meet for this sport is the end of October.  Practices are held at Ernst Lanes.

Swimming

Swimming begins in the middle of September and runs through the beginning of December.  Practice is normally at Wembley Club in Bainbridge.  The area event is the beginning of November and the State meet is the beginning of December. 

Basketball

Basketball begins in the middle of November and runs through the end of March.  There are many games scheduled against other organizations throughout the season.  The playoffs for state take place during the end of March and if Metzenbaum Center athletes win, they proceed to the State Championship at the end of March.

Spring Sports

Individual Bowling

Individual bowling begins in the middle of February and runs through the middle of April. Practices are held at Ernst Lanes.  The area event is in the middle of April and the State event is in Columbus at the end of June during the Special Olympics Summer Games.

Volleyball

Volleyball begins in the beginning of April and runs through the end of June.  It is modified slightly, so that the ball is bigger and softer, and the server may move into the court to serve the ball.  The area event is in the beginning of May and the State event is in Columbus at the end of June during the Special Olympics Summer Games.

Track and Field

Track and Field begins in the beginning of April and runs through the end of June.  There are all sorts of events that are offered, including walking, running, wheelchair competition, softball throw, long jump and relays.  The area event is in the beginning of May and the State event is in Columbus at the end of June during the
Special Olympics Summer Games.

Developmental and Motor Activities

Developmental and Motor Activities begins in the beginning of April and runs through the end of May.  There are many events in this sport, including rolling over, bean bag toss, walking, wheelchair races, bicycling (50 meters or less) and softball-throw. 

Soccer

Soccer begins in the beginning of April and runs through the end of May.  The game is played with two teams consisting of five players each, one of whom is the goalkeeper.  

Summer Sports

Softball

Softball begins in the beginning of July and runs through the beginning of September.  A team consists of no more than 15 players.  Games are scheduled against other teams throughout the season.  The area event is held in August and the State event takes place in the beginning of September.

Golf

Golf begins in the beginning July and runs through the end of August.  This is a unified sport; each athlete is paired up with a partner from the community.  They use one ball and will alternate shots until the ball is holed out.  The area event is at the end of August.

If you would like to know more about the Special Olympics program, whether it be competing or volunteering, please contact Bonnie Veleba or Michelle Avram in the Recreation Department at Metzenbaum Center, 729-9406.

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