News
Release:
Nov. 11
Special Olympics Iowa hosts program for children too young to participate in
Special Olympics events
For
Immediate Release
Date: November 2, 2009
Contact: Kathy Irving,
Director of Special Programs, 515-418-2284
Who: 60 Special Olympics Iowa athletes, ages
2-8. Participants will be accompanied by their parent or their preschool or
elementary school teachers and chaperones. 45 volunteers will assist in this
event. Volunteers include many members of the community and Muscatine high
school students who run each event and work as team leaders. The sponsor for
this event is Variety - The Children’s Charity.
What: Young Athlete Play Activity Day is a program designed to provide
play activities and socialization opportunities for children with intellectual
disabilities between the ages of two and eight. This program was created
to serve children too young to participate in other Special Olympics Iowa competitions
(minimum entry age being eight years and up).
When: 9:30-11:30
a.m. Wednesday, November 11
Where: Muscatine
Community YMCA in Muscatine
Background:
Special Olympics Iowa is
hosting the 5th annual Young Athletes Play Activity Day on Wednesday,
November 11 at the Muscatine Community YMCA from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Play Activity Days provide
networking opportunities for parents of children with intellectual disabilities
while the benefits of play for the children who participate include: the
opportunity to have fun and to get along with others while working toward
together toward a goal, encouragement of imagination and gaining self-esteem.
Participants will enjoy
activities in: air flow jumper, ball
darts, basketball, batting, bowling, 25 meter dash, musical balance beam,
ribbon routine, soccer kick, standing long jump
and tennis ball throw. In addition to Muscatine, Play Activity Days
are also held statewide in: Ames, Cedar Falls, Davenport, Des Moines, Neola and
Waterloo. Plans for 2010 Young Athletes Play Activity Days in Cedar Rapids and
Oskaloosa.
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