As announced in August, Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) has made the decision to cancel all in-person activity through March 2021 and shift our focus and approach to virtual programming and long-term planning.
THE PLAN
Survey: Learn about each individual athlete’s interests and ability to participate, barriers to participating, and preferred means of receiving SOSC communication.
Register: Ensure that each athlete who wants to participate is eligible and registered.
Connect: Deliver the necessary equipment, training, information and other resources to athletes and coaches to support participation.
OUR ACTIONS
We are in the process of sending Unified Fitness Kits to over 7,600 community-based athletes. We have developed a system that can provide up-to-date communication and information on a regular basis for athletes.
- Use our website to post regular updates and information about current and ongoing programming.
- We are conducting an athlete survey during the months of October and November.
- Developed the Phased Return to Activity Plan. You can learn more about this plan at https://wp.me/p8DSMZ-88a
VIRTUAL ACTIVITIES
Healthy Lifestyle Challenge, Ongoing
Overview: SOSC athletes work on their fitness, nutrition and hydration in a virtual setting. The goal of the Healthy Lifestyle Challenge (HLC) is to encourage athletes to continue on their healthy journey, even when they are not able to train traditionally.
More Information: Register and participate at www.sosc.org/hlc
Move Across California, February 1 – March 14, 2021
Overview: Move Across California is a virtual program open to all SOSC participants. This is a 6-week program that will bring teams of up to 10 people together, working together to move 1,000 team miles by the end of the program. Participants will get the opportunity to be a part of virtual pit stops, earn incentives, and get out to MOVE their bodies!
More Information: Coming soon. Contact your local Special Olympics office for more details.
Sports Leagues, March 15 – June 11, 2021
Overview: The Sports Leagues will feature athletics, basketball, bocce, flag football & swimming themed activities. Existing and newly formed teams will “compete” in an 8-week regular season, followed by playoffs and championships in a virtual setting. Teams from each sport specific league will compete head to head while completing in team challenges to include a weekly virtual team practice with their coaches and teammates, sport specific training/workouts as well as other point scoring activities designed to prepare our athletes and teams to be game ready.
More Information: Registration opens February 15, 2021. Be part of the team and get game ready! League website coming soon. Please contact Don Culbertson at dculbertson@sosc.org with any questions.
Athlete Leadership Training, Ongoing
Overview: SOSC will convert the Athlete Leadership training materials and program to an online platform so that we can continue to develop SOSC athletes as leaders during the health crisis and beyond.
More Information: www.sosc.org/alp
Unified Champion Schools, Ongoing
Overview: SOSC is committed to work with our school partners to bring inclusive fitness and leadership resources to the classroom.
More Information: Unified Champion Schools in a Distance Learning Environment at generationunified.org.