Young Athletes program teaches children the importance of fitness and teamwork
The Young Athletes program offered by the Special Olympics gives children too young to participate in the Summer Games the opportunity to learn more about fitness, leadership and socializing with other children like themselves.
The program is designed for children ranging from two to seven years old with intellectual disabilities. The activities that the children take part in are designed to improve skills like running, jumping, catching, throwing and other talents typically needed in sporting events.
The Young Athlete competition for the Summer Games will take place between 11 a.m. and noon, on Saturday, June 3, in McGuirk Arena. Though the Young Athletes program is offered year-round by the Special Olympics, the Summer Games serve as a culminating experience for children in the program, says Ann Guzdzial, chief program officer for the Special Olympics.
At the Summer Games, members of the program will perform their regular activities with children from other Special Olympics programs from across the state. Special Olympics is estimating that around 30 children will take part in the event, including local children and children coming in from Bay City and St.Claire County.
Despite the name, the event will be uncompetitive, with the main goal being to educate the children about sports and leadership. All participants will be awarded medals and ribbons for taking part in the activities.
The Summer Games will also offer an opportunity for children in Young Athletes to go through the Healthy Athlete program offered by Special Olympics. Healthy Athletes includes programs like Opening Eyes, were local ophthalmologists perform free eyes exams and fit athletes for sunglasses, and Special Smiles, which offers free dental exams. The Healthy Young Athlete clinic will take place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 2, in the IAC Turf Bay.
An extension of the Healthy Athlete program will be offered to children from Rosebush Elementary School on Friday. In total, around 40 children from Rose Bush will cycle through the Healthy Athletes clinic, with a morning class visiting at 10:30 a.m., and an afternoon class at 1 p.m.
Guzdzial believes that the program benefits the children involved by teaching them the most important lessons about sportsmanship in an environment that feels inclusive. The skills that they learn in the program will also be beneficial to them as they grow, especially if they decide to participate in the Special Olympics when they're older.
"For our young athletes, it gives them an opportunity to start working on their agility levels, and things like comprehension and following directions," Guzdzial said. "It really helps them socialize more with their peers in that type of setting."
