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Special Olympics Maryland-Carroll County Web Site

Special Olympics Maryland Carroll County
"Let me win; but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

Special Olympics Maryland- Carroll County is a year-round sports program for Maryland’s children and adults with mental retardation and/or closely related developmental disabilities.

The following are six Special Olympics Maryland’s Values:

¶    Community connections and bridges
   ¶    Friendships for life
   ¶    Integrity by doing the “right thing”.
    ¶    Opportunity to excel
    ¶    Quality sports training and Olympic-type competition
    ¶    Sportsmanship and fairness for all

Welcome to Carroll County’s Website!

We are a work in progress. Please check back frequently for updates.

Sports

Calendar of Events

Volunteer Information

Sponsors/Fundraising Information

Sports

¶Athletics ¶Aquatics

¶Basketball ¶Equestrian

¶Kayaking ¶Powerlifting

¶Skiing ¶Soccer

Athletics/ Track and Field

¶ Events: Track and Field, Individual Skills

¶ Dates/Time of Training: Saturdays, February 15 to April 26, 2003
9:00am – 10:30am

Area Spring Games: Westminster High School, Wednesday April 30, 2003
Opening Ceremonies – 10am

¶     Location of Training: Carroll Springs School
                                495 South Center Street
                                Westminster MD 21157

¶ Coach/Contact for Additional Information: Marsha Barger

¶ Training also takes place in various Carroll County schools for students
attending those schools, during school hours.

Special Olympics Maryland State Summer Games:

May 30-June 1, 2003

Aquatics/Swimming

¶ Events:

The events range from a 15 meter Assisted Race to a 100 meter Free Style Race, based on individual athletic abilities.

¶ Dates/Time of Training: Beginning March 5, 2003 until State Competition
Fridays from 7:00pm-8:30pm

¶First meet 03-20-04 at Loyola College Baltimore 8am to1pm.
Second meet Walkersville HS April date to be announced
Third meet Place and date to be announced

¶     Location of Training:   YMCA
                                        1719 Sykesville Road
                                        Westminster, MD

¶ Coach/Contact for Additional Information: Marsha Barger

Coach: Mike Hurley or phone
410-781-6586

¶ Equipment: Goggles for the Pool

¶ Eligibility: Athletes must be able to swim. It is required that athletes participate in 2 qualifying swim meets for the State Competition

Special Olympics Maryland State Summer Games:

College Park
June 5-6, 2004

Basketball

¶ Events: co-ed 5 vs.5 team and Individual Skills (ISC)

¶ Dates/Time of Training: February 4 – March 25, 2003
6:30pm - 8:00pm

¶ Location of Training: Carroll Springs School
Westminster, MD

¶ Coach/Contact for Additional Information: Marsha Barger

¶ Equipment: Necessary equipment is provided

¶ Eligibility:

Participation in 2 qualifying tournaments is required to advance to the State Basketball Tournament

State Basketball Tournament: March 30, 2003 at Towson State University

Equestrian

¶ Spring Classes Begin: Training for Athletes Starts March 17, 2003

¶ Special Olympics Training Dates for Coaches:

(Tentative) Date March 28-30, 2003 at the Extension Office and TRP Arena. Email Mary Shunk or Marsha Barger for information on registration.

¶ Events:
Events for Special Olympics will be held on Saturday June7, 2003 at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center.

¶ World Games June 21-29, 2003: Kill Equestrian Center, Kildare, Ireland

Ireland Update

As you may recall, following the 2002 Special Olympics Maryland Summer games our own Erin Strevig was selected to attend the Special Olympic World games in Ireland this summer. Mary Shunk was selected to coach the Maryland Equestrian team riders in Ireland.

When you see Erin or Mary wish them the “luck of the Irish” as they represent their country, their state, and our program this summer.

Kayaking

Interest in the new flat water kayaking program for Special Olympics M.D. has been high! Introductory sessions for parents, athletes, and coaches have been well received.

Two medal events are currently scheduled:

1. 125 meter race (straight to an ending point in 9 feet lanes)
2. 250 meter race (125m out past buoy, 125m back from buoy in 9 feet lanes)

Eligibility:
Basic swimming skills are necessary, but athletes need no prior kayaking experience.

Equipment:
Recreational kayaks with wide beam. Large cockpit for easy entry and exit. Flotation in bow and stern of kayak. Skirts will not be used for training or competition.

Training and competition will begin in the summer of 2004.
Training will take place at Piney Run Park.

The park is located at: 30 Martz Road Sykesville, MD 21784

Directions to the park:

From the intersection of Rt. 32 and Rt. 26 in Eldersburg, MD.:

Take Rt. 26 west, towards Libertytown. Proceed until White Rock Road and turn left. Proceed until signs for Piney Run State Park are apparent. Turn Left onto Martz Road. Proceed to gate of park.

Scheduled Training Dates 2004: June 12, June 19, June 26, July 10, July 17, July 24.
All training sessions will begin at 9:30am and end at 12:00pm.

Training will be conducted both on land and on water. Training will focus on safety, equipment, and basic kayaking skills.

State Competition: July 31 & August 1, 2004 at St. Mary’s College

Qualifications for state competition

Athlete must make effort to attend each training day, with the exception of any justified absences.

Athlete must demonstrate control of the kayak (ex: be able to turn, stop and slow down kayak)

Athlete must compete in one qualifying meet.

Divisions

Divisions for athletes will be determined by qualifying times at meet.

Special Olympics MD./Carroll County would like to know how many additional athletes are interested in participating in the sport.

If you are interested in beginning kayaking, please fill out an Interest Form.

For additional information, questions, or concerns, feel free to email Ed Ball at sprbug@aol.com

Powerlifting

¶ Training includes: Walking, Stretching, Cardiovascular Exercise, and Use of Free Weights

¶ Official Events of Competition:

    Squat
Benchpress
    Deadlift
    Combination 2 (Benchpress and Deadlift)
    Combination 3 (Benchpress, Deadlift and Squat)

In order to assure the safety of all athletes, participation in events varies based on ability.

¶ Dates and Times of Training: Year-round Sundays from 3:00pm-4:15pm

¶     Location of Training:   Merritt Athletic Club,
                                 1388 Progress Way
                                  Eldersburg, MD 21784

¶ Coach/Contact for Additional Information:

Coach: Tom Nalesnik
Assistant: Bruce Anderson

¶ Equipment: No equipment necessary

¶ Eligibility: Participants must be a minimim of 16 years old to compete

Skiing

¶ Training: On Dry Land and one weekend of on-snow training (Feb. 1-2) at Ski Roundtop

¶ Official Events of Competition: Downhill (Alpine) Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Modified Alpine Skiing (for non-ambulatory athletes)

¶ Dates/Time of Training (2002-2003): Saturdays 9:00am
December 7, 14, 21, January 4, 18, 25, February 8, 15

¶ Location of Training: Carroll Springs School
Westminster, MD

¶ Coach/Contact for Additional Information: Marsha Barger

Coach: Phil Jensen

¶ Equipment: Contact Marsha Barger for Info.

Eligibility: No experience necessary

Special Olympics Maryland Winter Games:

February 23-25, 2003 at Wisp Ski Resort

Soccer

We need your help!

¶ Special Olympics Maryland, is planning to add soccer to its current list of sports available for Carroll County participants.
Training for coaches and athletes will begin in the late Summer/early fall seasons of 2003

Volunteers and coaches will be needed.

If you, or someone you know, is interested in helping to get the soccer program off to a great start contact Marsha Barger.

For additional information, or to become involved contact Marsha Barger.

Volunteer Information

Are you looking for an opportunity to volunteer?

Are you a student or adult 16 years or older?

Do you want to feel the satisfaction of watching athletes with mental retardation and developmental disabilities excel in sports?

There are many volunteer opportunities available such as administrative work, fundraising, public relations, coaching, and more!

To become involved with Special Olympics MD/Carroll County, or for more information, contact Marsha Barger, Volunteer Area County Director, at:

Mailing Address:

Carroll Springs School
495 South Center Street
Westminster, MD 21157 Phone: 410-775-2818

Email Address: RobFarin@carr.org

It is required that all interested volunteers complete a Volunteer Orientation before directly working with Special Olympic athletes. For more information and/or dates for future Orientations, contact Marsha Barger.

Sponsors/Fundraising Information

All sponsors for the Special Olympics M.D./Carroll County are greatly appreciated. On behalf of the athletes, coaches, and volunteers, we would like to thank the following businesses and business owners:

¶    River Sport, School of Paddling, Confluence, PA
¶    Edward Tracey, Trako Construction Company, Reisterstown, MD
¶    Mike and Brenda March, Power Lighting, Eldersburg, MD
¶   Wal-Mart, Carroll County, MD
¶ Roll Off Express, Finksburg, MD
¶ Interstate Battery, Finksburg, MD
¶ Carroll County Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 20

Are you interested in donating to the Special Olympics MD/Carroll County?

Any and all contributions are appreciated and are tax deductible.

Checks should be made payable to Special Olympics Maryland-Carroll County.

Contributions may be mailed to Marsha Barger, Volunteer Carroll County Director, at:

Carroll Springs School
495 South Center Street
Westminster, MD 21157 Phone: 410-775-2818

Please specify that your donation is made out to Special Olympics Maryland-Carroll County.