Many children with intellectual disabilities feel left behind or isolated in traditional sport and activity programs. In Special Olympics, they belong and thrive.
Special Olympics BC offers tailored, fun, and supportive Youth Programs for children and young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They provide opportunities to build skills, make friends, and gain confidence through the joy of sport.
“Special Olympics keeps our son active. Often kids with special needs aren’t as active as other children, so for us that is very important. Also, it keeps him involved in a community with consistent people that he gets to know. And he feels part of something – it’s really important to him,” Special Olympics BC parent Grace Tamkee says.
Special Olympics BC’s Youth Programs are:
- Active Start and FUNdamentals programs for children aged 2 to 11
- Special Olympics BC Unified Sports® opportunities in middle and high schools
By providing early access to vital motor, sport, and social skill development, Special Olympics BC Youth Programs equip children and young people with intellectual disabilities to succeed in sports throughout their lives, and build important motor and social skills that benefit every aspect of their lives.
Programs are run by trained Special Olympics BC volunteers in communities, and by schools seeking to offer opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities and strengthen inclusion school-wide.
What are Active Start and FUNdamentals?
Special Olympics BC offers Active Start and FUNdamentals programs in communities around the province, welcoming children and youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities ages two to 11.
Active Start and FUNdamentals programs are offered at low or no cost for participants. They have been specifically designed to meet the needs of children with intellectual disabilities and their families.
Participants build essential motor, sport, and social skills that help them throughout their lives. They also have a lot of fun! And they are empowered to transition successfully into Special Olympics BC’s sport and fitness programs to find lifelong healthy activity and community.
Last season, more than 200 Special Olympics BC Active Start and FUNdamentals athletes thrived in their weekly programs in communities all over the province. This year, empowering programs continue across the province, including Victoria, Comox, and Salt Spring Island.
Families, schools, and communities also benefit from these joyful inclusive experiences. When children and youth with intellectual disabilities are included and celebrated, everyone wins!
As the family of young Special Olympics BC athlete Maire O’Connor said, “Since moving back to Canada, we’ve had trouble finding support for Maire. Special Olympics has been the best experience so far, and I can see it being a part of her life for tens of years into the future.”
Active Start is a 12-week family-centred activity program targeting children with intellectual disabilities between the ages of 2 and 6. Through the Active Start program, children learn basic motor skills such as walking, running, jumping and throwing in a fun and safe environment.
Children who get involved with Active Start can’t stop smiling, and their parents and caregivers have a great time playing along and watching their kids blossom and develop essential skills.
The FUNdamentals program is a continuation of the Active Start program for children with intellectual disabilities between the ages of seven and 11, with the skills transitioning from basic movement skills to basic sport skills.
The family-centred program provides children with a more in-depth introduction to sport-related motor skills along with training and competition, while maintaining an atmosphere of fun and meaningful interaction.
Special Olympics BC youth program leader Lana says, “The athletes love showing their talents and abilities, and I feel the coaches and volunteers have just as much fun. To see the smiles, accomplishment, and confidence when they succeed is so fulfilling.”
What is Special Olympics BC Unified Sports?
To support and empower youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities in middle and high schools, Special Olympics BC Unified Sports® programs are growing in schools around the province to empower youth with and without intellectual disabilities to change the world through sports.
Special Olympics BC is dedicated to working with schools and districts across the province to build inclusive school communities.
We know that training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding. Special Olympics Unified Sports programs bring together students with and without intellectual disabilities to train and compete as teammates.
Teams practice and compete together, just like any other school team, and they open hearts and minds to the abilities of students with intellectual disabilities along the way. Students with and without intellectual disabilities make new friends, develop skills and self-esteem, and break down barriers through inclusive sport and learning experiences.
“This experience means a lot to our kids,” Burnaby coach Jarrett Richardson says. “It gives the kids the opportunity to connect in a different capacity, and it extends further than the court. It goes into our hallways and there’s camaraderie in our hallways. There’s less students being separate. It’s now an inclusive environment in the halls. And that’s thanks to the inclusive environment on the court.”
Special Olympics BC Youth Programs continue to create opportunities for children and youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities to learn, grow, compete, and belong.
New athletes with intellectual volunteers, families, and volunteers are always welcome to get involved to change lives, including their own!
If you’re interested in registering as an athlete or volunteer, or exploring ways to start or strengthen Youth Programs in your community or school, Special Olympics BC can help.
Special Olympics BC provides ready-made resource packages – including lesson plans, equipment, and leader training opportunities – that make it easy and fun to launch new programs.
To learn more about Youth Programs or to explore opportunities in your area, please contact inclusion@specialolympics.bc.ca.
