About Special Olympics
Help athletes prepare for various competitions, ranging from bowling to track and field!
- Contacts: Soren Kaster ’27
- Location: Carleton in Winter, Carleton and St. Olaf in Spring
- Join Time: Anytime
- Commitment: Weekly
Overview
Special Olympics offers many volunteer opportunities throughout the year, ranging from one-time events to weekly commitments. Volunteers help with the Northfield Special Olympics team practices in bowling, basketball, and track & field. Volunteers who want a higher level of involvement can become certified coaches. Join the Special Olympics email list!
Sports
Bowling
Special Olympics bowling takes place from September through November. The Northfield team practices on Sundays at 3:00 p.m. at Jesse James Lanes. The Area 10 tournament is in October, and the state tournament is the second weekend in November. Volunteers help keep athletes organized at practices and can pair up with one of the Special Olympics athletes for team competition in Unified Bowling.
Basketball
The basketball season is January through April. Practices are held at 2 pm on Sundays in Cowling. Volunteers work with the athletes in 3-on-3 half-court games and individual skills competition and can also work at the area and state tournaments in March and April, respectively. College students usually serve as head coaches for the Northfield team.
Track & Field
The track season goes from April through June. The Northfield team practices two evenings a week at St. Olaf College or Northfield Middle School. Volunteers are needed for measuring, timing, and organization at practices. The Area 10 meet is the third Saturday in May at Carleton, and volunteers can work in a variety of capacities including officiating, event assistants, and awards ceremonies. The Minnesota state meet is the third weekend in June.
Volunteer experiences
“(The Special Olympics athletes) enjoyed just being there and the thrill of the moment. This is something that athletes in general can learn from.” — Molly Christian, ’07
“You cannot help but go home feeling absolutely marvelous after having seen so many smiles and faces full of joy.” — Lori Halvorson, ’07
Special Olympics Minnesota
Over 14,000 people volunteer with Special Olympics Minnesota per year.
Find out more at the Special Olympics Minnesota website.
