Existing Young Athletes

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Young Athletes

Resources for Young Athletes

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ABOUT YOUNG ATHLETES

Special Olympics Colorado created Young Athletes in 2008 to reach out to children with intellectual disabilities. Young Athletes is an innovative sports play program for children ages 2-7 with intellectual disabilities and their non-disabled peers. Ultimately, Young Athletes introduces children, and families, to the world of sport, with the goal of preparing them for sports training and competition as they get older.

Improved social skills is another inspiring reason parents enroll their children in Young Athletes. The confidence boost makes it easier for them to interact with other children on the playground, whether or not they have intellectual disabilities.

GOALS OF THE PROGRAM

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

  • LEVEL 1:

    Physical activities focused on developing fundamental motor tracking and eye-hand coordination.

  • LEVEL 2:

    Applying these physical activities through a sports skills activity program and developing skills consistent with Special Olympics sports play. The activities will consist of foundational skills, walking & running, balance, and jumping, trapping & catching, throwing, striking, kicking and advanced skills.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM

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OBJECTIVE 1

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

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OBJECTIVE 2

Welcome family members of children with intellectual disabilities to the Special Olympics network of support.

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OBJECTIVE 3

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

UPCOMING EVENTS

26 January 2025

Young Athletes Northeast “Learn to” Ice Skate

Young Athletes - Learn to Ice Skate - Northeast Region REGISTRATION REQUIRED Sunday, January 26 Greeley Ice Haus 900 8th Ave, Greeley, CO 80631 Special Olympics Colorado's Young Athletes are[...]

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Greeley Ice Haus, 900 8th Ave.
Greeley, CO 80631 United States
+ Google Map
01 February 2025

Young Athletes Erie Recreation Family Open Ice Skate

Reigstration Required Join us for an open skate for Young Athletes. If interested email Ashtyn Anderson at aanderson@specialolympicsco.org

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Erie Rec Outdoor Rink, 575 Kattell St
Erie, 80516 United States
+ Google Map
08 February 2025

Southeast Regional Basketball Tournament

Southeast Region Basketball Tournament Saturday, February 8 8:00am - 5:00pm CSU Pueblo 2200 Bonforte Blvd Pueblo, CO 81001 Special Olympics Colorado is hosting the Southeast Region Basketball Tournament on Saturday,[...]

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CSU Pueblo, 2200 Bonforte Blvd
Pueblo , CO 81001 United States
+ Google Map
15 February 2025

Young Athletes Learn to Snowshoe- Denver Region

Young Athletes - Learn to Snowshoe - Denver Region Saturday, February 15 REGISTRATION REQUIRED Bear Creek Lake Park 15600 W. Morrison Road Lakewood, CO 80228 Special Olympics Colorado's Young Athletes[...]

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Bear Creek Lake Park, 15600 W Morrison Rd.
Lakewood, CO 80228 United States
+ Google Map
16 February 2025

Denver Regional Basketball

Denver Regional Basketball Sunday, February 16 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Location: Gold Crown Field House 150 S Harlan St. Lakewood, CO 80226 Special Olympics Colorado is hosting the Denver[...]

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Gold Crown Fieldhouse, 150 S. Harlan St
Lakewood, CO 80226 United States
+ Google Map
29 March 2025

Young Athletes Southeast “Learn to” Ice Skate

Young Athletes - Learn to Ice Skate - Southeast Region REGISTRATION REQUIRED Saturday, March 29 USAF Academy 2169 Field House Drive USAFA, CO 80840 Special Olympics Colorado's Young Athletes are[...]

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US Air Force Academy, 2304 Cadet Drive
US Air Force Academy, CT 80840 United States
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RESOURCES

Young Athletes includes several resources — a Young Athletes Activities Guide, a Training DVD and a Young Athletes Equipment Kit — to guide family members, educators and other professionals as they conduct Young Athletes activities with their children, brothers, sisters, cousins, grandchildren, students or patients.
An advanced curriculum guide for kindergarten to second grade (ages 5-7) students is currently being developed to ensure continued involvement after completing preschool Young Athletes.

Visit the Young Athlete YouTube Playlist
Join Young Athletes

CONTACT US

Mandi DeWitt

Senior Director of Young Athletes
(720) 359-3117
Email: mmd@specialolympicsco.org

Ashtyn Anderson

Young Athletes Coordinator
(720) 359-3137
Email: aanderson@specialolympicsco.org