Special Olympics Program 2014

Dear Program Members, Families and Friends, The Center of Hope Recreational Program is gearing up for another busy year. With the large growth over the past several years, this once small agency provided program has become an active program for all athletes that wish to participate. Since the Center of Hope started running a recreation program more than 25 years ago it has always been a free program that was offered. The Center of Hope works very hard to raise the funds that support these programs. We ask that all athletes and their families if applicable assist us in one of our fundraising activities. Please see the events fundraiser page to support your local Special Olympics Program. It is very important that those who wish to participate in the Recreational Program also help to raise funds for the program. As with many other organizations and team sports we are asking that each athlete shows their support by attending one or two events that will directly benefit the Recreational Program and participate in the sales-oriented fundraising efforts. In the Recreational Program Book is general information regarding the program, and a brief description of the sports offered. We hope that all of our athletes will once again return this year and help the Center of Hope continue to grow its Recreational Program. Sincerely,

Ryan Thompson Special Olympics Coordinator 508-764-4085 x649 [email protected] www.thecenterofhope.org

YEAR ROUND PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS SPRING SPORTS TRACK & FIELD Starting in the beginning of April, those who have signed up to participate in Track & Field will be transported weekly to Nichols College for practice. Athletes from the Center, as well as other local agencies are welcome to participate. Events include: 50 Meter Run, 100 Meter Run, 4 X 100 Relay, 4 X 400 Relay, Shot Put, Javelin, Long Jumps and Wheelchair races. In May athletes will attend State Qualifiers for the purpose of grouping athletes in the division that best suits their ability. In June athletes are invited to attend State Games, a weekend-long event, by the Special Olympics committee.

POWERLIF TING Team Triple S is the Center’s Power Lifting Team. Each athlete will participate in a weekly practice offered on Friday afternoons from 1-2 pm at the YMCA in Southbridge. With the assistance of two coaches, the athletes will work on three lifts: bench press, dead lift and the squat, based on athlete ability. Each athlete is responsible for purchasing singlet and gloves, required for participation. Athletes are invited to attend State Games held in Boston in June.

UNIFIED VOLLEYBALL In 2012, the Center of Hope started a new sport, Volleyball!! Volleyball is a summer sport which begins Sign-ups for Volleyball will begin the beginning of March. Practicing at the end of March with qualifiers in April and state games in June. Volleyball is played with a unified team, comprised of 3 athletes and 3 partners on the court at any time. Athletes are invited to attend State Games held in Boston in June.

2.

SUMMER SPORTS UNIFIED SOF TBALL The Center offers athletes a Unified Sports experience through one of its four Softball Teams. A unified team combines athletes with volunteers without intellectual disabilities (partners). This is a slow-pitch softball game. Try-outs for Softball are held in May and team determination completed by June. Being a part of a softball team requires athletes to attend weekly practice, Qualifiers and the State Games. The Qualifying Games are held in July and the State Championships are held in August with an overnight at UMass Amherst.

FISHING Team Hook, Line and Sinker begins practicing in mid-June at Westville Dam. Team member’s fish off the shore each week, working on their casting skills with catch and release activities. Each athlete should bring their own fishing pole to practice. Athletes will compete with other teams at Quabbin Reservoir in, with an overnight at Umass Amherst. Athletes are supported by local fishing pros on the water at Quabbin.

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FALL SPORTS SOCCER In 2012, the Center of Hope started a new sport, soccer!! Soccer is a fall sport which begins practicing in early September with Qualifiers in October and State Games in November. Soccer is played with a unified team, comprised of 3 athlete’s and2 partners on the field at any time. Sign-ups for soccer will begin the first week of September with Practices being held every Thursday from 3:00 - 5:00 pm at Morris Street Fields in Southbridge and every Friday from 12 - 2 pm at Nichols College, for athletes who are able to attend.

CHEERLEADING Beginning in 2011, The Center of Hope added Special Olympics Cheerleading to its programs. Cheerleading Begins in September with weekly practices held on Mondays at the Center of Hope and Fridays at Nichols College. Athletes learn routines and cheers that they demonstrate at Qualifiers in October and State Games in November at Gillette Stadium.

UNIFIED FLAG FOOTBALL Beginning in September 2011, the Center of Hope added Unified Flag Football Teams. This is a non-contact unified football program comprised on 3 athletes and 2 partners on the field. Sign-ups for football will begin the first week of September with practices being held Wednesdays at Westville Dam from 3 - 5 pm and Fridays at Nichols College. Football teams are required to attend qualifiers in October and will culminate with the State games in November at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro.

WINTER SPORTS UNIFIED BASKETBALL Beginning in January 2012, the Center started Unified Basketball. This is a unified program comprised of 3 athletes and 2 partners on the court. Practices are held weekly on Mondays and Thursdays at the Community Center. All teams compete at a regional qualifier in February and the State Games in March, which is an overnight weekend.

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CENTER OF HOPE RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS Packing for State Game Weekends The following is a suggested list of items to bring while attending a weekend-long event. Please pack all your items in a soft duffle bag, no hard suitcase. Make sure your name is on the outside of the bag!

Team Attire • • • •

Track & Field - Team T-shirt Fishing - Team T-shirt Softball - uniform (pants, shirt, socks, hat) Softball only - If you have your own gear, carry that in a separate bag. • Basketball - Uniform, sneakers

Personal Care Items • • • • • •

Shampoo Soap Toothbrush, Floss and Toothpaste Brush Deodorant and other personal care items Sunscreen and Bug Spray

Room (When not at a hotel) • • • • • •

2 twin bed top sheets, extra long Pillow Light blanket Bath Towels You may bring a small fan, of small electronics for your room.

While at S tate Games:

Clothing • Sneakers/Cleats and extra pair of sneakers or sandals • 5 Pairs of Underwear • 5 Pairs of Socks • Nice Outfit for Dinner Dance • Shorts and Special Olympic T-Shirt for Opening Ceremonies • Shorts and T-Shirt for ride home • 2 Pairs Pajamas • Bathing Suit (if pool is available) • Pants • windbreaker • weather appropriate clothing

Medication

• If you take medication you need to complete the enclosed medication form and pack medication for Friday Night, Saturday and Sunday. Forms need to be provided the Monday before weekend games.

Athletes need to bring $25.00 for spending money. Typically, we stop for lunch and/or dinner prior to arriving at the State Games. There are also items for sale at Olympic Town, so if athletes wish to bring additional money for t-shirts and souvenirs they may do so. The Center will provide drinks and snacks at the games and Massachusetts Special Olympics will provide breakfast, lunch and dinner Saturday and Breakfast and lunch on Sunday. All other meals are the responsibility of the athletes.

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GENERAL INFORMATION Practice Cancellation: If practice needs to be cancelled due to inclement weather all athletes will be notified by 2:00 p.m. The Therapeutic Recreational Director will make that call and all program locations will be alerted prior to PM transportation. Please refrain from calling during the day or asking Center of Hope employees whether practice is occurring. Softball team members should always plan on practice whether it is raining in the morning or not.

Qualifiers: Certain sports participate in Qualifiers prior to the weekend-long games. You must participate in the Qualifier to go to the State Games.

State Games: Many of the State games are overnight weekends. Athletes must be able to stay in a room with a roommate and need only minimal staff supports. Individuals who require more assistance can bring a family member/staff/one to one. Arrangements for this must be made prior to the closing of registration for that sport so that beds are available.

Transportation: Center of Hope Recreational Program will provide all athletes with transportation from the Center of Hope to the practice field. Athletes should have a ride home from practice. If this is a hardship, it is possible that we can help you, but you need to let us know this prior to the start of the program.

Fundraising: The Center of Hope does not charge any fee for participation in its Special Olympics Program, however we do ask that all athletes assist with our fundraising events. Through the years, the Center of Hope Foundation has been fortunate enough to expand its Recreational Programs by adding additional unified Special Olympic teams and sport activities.  Unified sports mean persons with and without disabilities may participate in the events together.  The Center of Hope Foundation operates an active Special Olympics Program for adults and children in the Southern Worcester County area. This has been accomplished through the dedicating work/ volunteering of many at a variety of fundraising events throughout the year, and the continual generosity of our financial supporters-sponsors-donators. We invite and encourage everyone to involve themselves in these events in any manner they are capable of. Participation in these Fundraising events are vital to the success of providing those who wish to take part in such sports offered by our Recreational Program at no cost.

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The following fundraising events are dedicated to Special Olympics. Please plan to attend/volunteer at, sell tickets for/sell items for: Country for a Cause -

Susan Jayne and Michael David and the Help Wanted Band host a benefit concert each spring to support our Special Olympics Program.

Spring Fling -

Semi-Formal Dance in May, Southbridge Ma. 3 - 7 pm sponsored by The Mill and Annie’s Country Kitchen.

Chicken Dinner/Rally Ride -

A Motorcycle Run in July, the Sponsored by the Eagle Riders.

Golf Tournament - A Golf Tournament held at Heritage Country Club held in August. Gobble Gobble Road Race -

Our annual road race in Southbridge, Ma is held in November.

Annual Snow Ball-

Semi-Formal Dance held in February. Dinner sponsored by Annie’s Country Kitchen.

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Register for Summer Sports Now! If you would like to participate in a summer sport through the Center’s Special Olympics Program contact Ryan Thompson at 508-764-4085 or [email protected]. All Athletes must have a current physical on file by the 4 weeks before the sport’s qualifying games and are encouraged to participate in any fundraiser activities that occurs during the sport’s season.

April - June Sports (pick one sport per season) TRACK & FIELD

Held on Tuesdays, from 10 am - 12 pm beginning on April 8, 2014. Qualifying Games: May 3, 2014 State Games: weekend of June 6 - 8, 2014.

POWERLIF TING

Weekly practices on Fridays, from 1 - 2 pm starting April 4, 2014 at the YMCA in Southbridge. Special Olympics Summer Games: weekend of June 6 - 8, 2014. (Each athlete is responsible for purchasing singlet and gloves, required for participation.)

UNIFIED VOLLEYBALL

Tryouts will be held on March 27th, April 2nd & 3rd of 2014. Qualifying Games: April 27, 2014 State Games: weekend of June 6 - 8, 2014. Final date for Summer Games Athlete Registration is: March 30th! Sign up now! I _________________________________am registrating for ____ TRACK & FIELD ____ POWERLIFTING ____ UNIFIED VOLLEYBALL

May- August Sports (pick one sport per season) UNIFIED SOF TBALL

Tryouts will be held on Tuesday May 27th & June 3rd. Teams practice on Tuesday afternoons. Qualifying Games: July 12, 2014 State Championships: August 9 - 10, 2014 with an overnight at UMass Amherst.

FISHING Practices will be held on Wednesdays at Westville Dam starting on June 18, 2014. Athletes will compete with other teams at Quabbin Reservoir on August 9th and 10th with an overnight at Umass Amherst. Final Date for Registration for Softball and Fishing is: June 6th! Athletes may register now through June 6th. I _________________________________am registrating for ____ UNIFIED SOFTBALL ____ FISHING The Center of Hope has my permission (both during participation and anytime thereafter) to use my/my child’s/individual in my care likeness, picture in: Program Social Story- To introduce families and potential new program members seeking information/admission to Center of Hope Special Olympic programs, Agency Brochures- To be used as a marketing tool for the Center of Hope and Agency marketing- for example: video, Facebook, YouTube, agency website. Signature of athlete/parent/caregiver: __________________________________ Date: ___/___/___