Area 16

Area Events

Counties » Kalamazoo

Sports » Alpine Skiing, Aquatics, Athletics (Track and Field), Basketball, Bocce, Bowling, Cross Country Skiing, Golf, Gymnastics, Poly Hockey, Powerlifting, Soccer, Softball

Total Athletes » 222

Welcome to the Area 16, Kalamazoo County web page. Our office is located on the campus of Western Michigan Univerisity and the phone number is 269-387-2718. If for some reason your questions about Special Olympics in Kalamazoo County can't be answerd, by calling this number, please email the Area Director, Chris Maynard. On this page, you will find information about our area, a list of upcoming events, news articles about what is happening as well as some pictures of our Area 16 Special Olympic athletes.


Area 16 Schedule

Fall/Winter 2011 -12

 

Unified Basketball

Mondays

January 9th - March 12th

5:00 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.

Location: Western Michigan University
Student Recreation Center
Kalamazoo, MI 49008

 

Unified Swimming

Saturdays

January 14th - March 2nd

12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Location: Gabel Pool @ Lawson Ice Arena

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, MI 49008

 

Unified Bowling

Fridays
January 13th - March 2nd
4:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Location: Continental Lanes
3645 Vanrick
Kalamazoo, MI 49002

 

Alpine Sking & Snowboarding 

Thursdays
December 15th - January 27th
Times are flexible
Location: Bittersweet Ski Resort

Cross Country Skiing & Snow Shoeing

It will start around the 1st of December...It will end at the State Winter Games. We are looking at the possibility of moving this to a ski area where they make snow so that we can get in more practice time. We will give you more information as we get it. We are looking for a coach for these sports. If you know of someone, please contact the office.

New Program for Young Athletes

Special Olympics has just introduced a new program, welcoming children with intellectual disabilities between the ages of two to seven to participate. We are in the process of finalizing the details to offer this Young Athletes program here in Kalamazoo County. Over the years, we have heard from many families who wished they could get their children involved in Special Olympics before they reached the mandatory age of eight. Now, it is possible for these younger children to participate. If you have a child or know of a child who would be interested in participating in this new program, please call the office for more information.

What is Special Olympics?

Special Olympics is an international program of year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with disabilities. It began in 1968 when Eunice Kennedy Shriver organized the First International Special Olympics Games at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The concept was born in the early 1960s when Mrs.Shriver started a day camp for people with disabilities. She saw that people with disabilities were far more capable in sports and physical activities than many experts thought. There are now accredited Special Olympics programs in more than 130 countries and more are continually being developed. In the United States, there are about 25,000 communities with Special Olympics programs.

What is the meaning/significance of the Special Olympics logo?

The Special Olympics logo has gone through several changes in its lifetime. The original "stick figure" (now the Official Symbol) is an abstract but humanistic form designed to convey the impression of movement and activity. The logo is a symbol of growth, confidence and joy among children and adults with disabilities who are learning coordination, mastering skills, participating in competitions and preparing themselves for richer, more productive lives. The spherical appearance of the logo is a representation of Special Olympics' global outreach. The Official Logo is a visual representation of the theme: "Special Olympics--Uniting the World through skill, courage, sharing and joy."

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