While we are looking forward to renewed practice opportunities, Special Olympics in-person activities remain suspended. While we have time to prepare, check the expiration of your credentials and take the opportunity to renew them. Athletes and Unified Partners' medical participation forms are good for three years from the date of the health care provider's signature. If you need to renew, click on the "Click Here to Be An Athlete" button above. Volunteers' background clearances are good for five years and we know that many are expiring in 2021 and 2022. Visit the Special Olympics Pennsylvania background clearance steps here. The instructions will link you to the Volunteer portal. While completing your clearances please renew any expiring trainings: the protective behaviors and the concussion training are good for three years. And for certified coaches please check to see when your sport certification expires. If it is coming up, check the Special Olympics continuing education page here for renewal options. The sport certification is good for three years. If you need assistance with any of this, please contact SOMC at specialolympicsmontco@verizon.net 

Fitness Heptathlon information is what you seek? You have found it here! The Fitness Heptathlon provides Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) participants with an opportunity to train and compete in an event comprised of 7 different fitness exercises (chosen from a full menu of 26 options). There are a wide range of offerings suited to meet the needs and interests of each individual. For competition, participants earn points based upon their performance improvement level in each exercise.  Registration opens Nov. 1st at the link below: 

https://specialolympicspa.org/commit-to-fit/fitness-heptathlon

For all winter and spring sports: as of December 1st, all in-person practice is currently in suspension due to high rates of covid positivity and cases per 100,000.  Please contacct the SOMC office  for more infomation. All other sports are not approved for in person practice. Please see the Commit to Fit activities at Special Olympics Pennsylvania's website to learn about at home exercise and fitness training! Visit it here. 

From Special Olympics Pennsylvania: As our state continues to take steps to reopen safely, Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) has developed this Return to Activities plan.  Our plan aligns with guidance from the State of Pennsylvania, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Special Olympics International (SOI).  We thank everyone who helped develop this plan.  We utilized results from our recent survey completed by more than 2,100 SOPA stakeholders, conversations with the Regional Input Council (athlete leaders) and the Sports Advisory Committee (athletes and volunteers), and feedback from our Board’s Program Committee.  As the virus situation changes and we learn more or receive new guidance, we fully expect our plan to evolve as well in response to those changes. Following is our Return to Activities plan and resources to help you better understand what to expect. 

Healthy Athletes! Check by clicking on our new page here at SOMC. Or look at the top menu bar! 

Coaches!  Please implement Fit 5… curious about the coach-driven physical activity, nutrition, and hydration 8 week plan called Fit 5? See the Fit 5 process document for step by step direction on how to sign up, implement and then become eligible for the Bronze Level specifically the Fit 5 component of the Coaches Training and Progression Plan. Thank you in advance for your participation!