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Young Athletes

Athlete

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Young Athletes™ Program

The Young Athletes™ Program (YAP) introduces children, ages 2 - 7, both with and without cognitive disabilities, and their families to the world of Special Olympics by pursuing the goals below.

Download an informational brochure

Upcoming Events

Select an event for details and contact information

Date Event Event Type Location
Wednesdays, January 25 - March 21, 2012 Northwoods Childrens Museum Young Athletes Area 2, Young Athletes, Northland Pines Middle School Gym, Eagle River
Saturday, Jan. 14 - March 24, 2012 Wausau Area School District Young Athletes Area 2, Young Athletes, A.C. Kiefer, Wausau
January - April, 2012 Forest Home Avenue Young Athletes (MPS) Area 8, Young Athletes, Milwaukee
Jan 2 - April 10, 2012 Rite-Hite Family YMCA Young Athletes Area 8, Young Athletes, Brown Deer
Jan 2 - April 11, 2012 Tri-County YMCA Young Athletes Area 8, Young Athletes, Menomonee Falls
Jan. 4 - April 12, 2012 Feith Family Ozaukee YMCA Young Athletes Area 8, Young Athletes, Port Washington
Jan 2 - April 13, 2012 South Shore YMCA Young Athletes Area 8, Young Athletes, Cudahy
Jan. 3 - April 14, 2012 West Suburban YMCA Young Athletes Area 8, Young Athletes, Wauwatosa
Thursdays, March 1 - April 26, 2012 Eau Claire Young Athletes Area 3, Young Athletes, Eau Claire YMCA
December - April, 2012 Engleburg Elementary Young Athletes (MPS) Area 8, Young Athletes, Milwaukee
Tuesdays, March 27 - May 15, 2012 YMCA of Dane County Young Athletes Area 6, Young Athletes, Lussier Family East Branch YMCA, Madison
Saturdays, March 24 - May 19, 2012 Ozaukee County Young Athletes Area 8, Young Athletes, Cedarburg Community Gym, Cedarburg
January - June 2012 Richard Kluge Elementary Young Athletes (MPS) Area 8, Young Athletes, Milwaukee

Main Calendar of Events

Program Goals

  • Engage children with cognitive disabilities through developmentally appropriate play activities designed to foster physical, cognitive and social development;

  • Welcome family members of children with cognitive disabilities to the Special Olympics network of support;

  • Raise awareness about the abilities of children with cognitive disabilities through inclusive peer participation, demonstrations and other events.

Young Athletes™ is a versatile program that is designed for families to play with their young athletes at home in a fun atmosphere but is also appropriate for preschools, schools and playgroups. The benefits for this program have been proven worldwide. First and foremost, these activities will help the children improve physically, cognitively and socially. The flexibility of Young Athletes™ ensures the opportunity to welcome families and their young children to the Special Olympics family.

This program is designed to address two specific levels of play:

Level 1 includes physical activities focused on developing fundamental motor tracking and eye-hand coordination.

Level 2 concentrates on the application of these physical activities through a sports skills activity program and developing skills consistent with Special Olympics sports play. The activities consist of foundational skills, walking and running, balance and jumping, trapping and catching, throwing, striking, kicking and advanced skills.

How does the program work?

  • Young Athlete sites are required to practice a minimum of eight sessions

  • It is recommended that these sessions are conducted over eight consecutive weeks.

  • Young athletes also practice a variety of skills building on their strengths to eventually play sports.

  • The YAP ends with a Culminating Event, much like a District or State Games. Here, athletes demonstrate the skills they’ve learned or improved upon over the weeks and participate in an awards ceremony in which all Young Athletes are acknowledged.

We hope that Young Athletes will prepare an easy transition for athletes with cognitive disabilities to participate in Special Olympics turn 8 years old.

The Young Athletes™ program includes several resources to guide family members, educators and other professionals as they conduct Young Athletes™ with their children, brothers, sisters, cousins, grandchildren, students or patients.

Young Athletes activities consist of:

  • Foundational Skills
  • Walking and Running
  • Balance and Jumping
  • Trapping and Catching
  • Throwing
  • Striking
  • Kicking
  • Advanced Skills

Activity Guide

E-mail newsletter

Young Athletes News

Event Photos

2011

2010

Culminating Event Video

Young Athlete Program Video

View the video on YouTube

For more information, contact

Krysten Kirsch - Director of Youth Initiatives
kkirsch@specialolympicswisconsin.org

10224 N. Port Washington Rd.
Mequon, WI 53092
(262) 241-7786
(800) 924-5202