I would like to thank you for your interest Special Olympics Grand Forks (Area 5). Special Olympics is a sports training and competition organization for individuals with Intellectual Disabilities who are age 8 and over. Our goal is to provide an atmosphere for athletes where everyone can have fun and learn the valuable lessons that sports can teach, give opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. The very fact you participate makes you a champion. The Special Olympics oath is “Let me win, but if I can not win, let me be brave in the attempt.” All athletes can excel to a higher level when they are willing to give it their best effort.
Families play an important role in the success in the Special Olympics Grand Forks program. We ask that you contribute to a positive, supportive environment as your family member participates in Special Olympics. From there, family involvement can be as little or as much as you wish. Some family members choose to cheer on their team as a fan. Some parents and families choose to get more involved by: coaching, helping with fund raising, chaperoning, or more. If you are interested in becoming more involved, please talk with me to see what might interest you.
Special Olympics Grand Forks offers several sports training opportunities throughout the year. We compete through Special Olympics North Dakota (SOND). SOND offers five sports seasons. Special Olympics athletes may choose one sport to participate, or compete in all five seasons. While Special Olympics Grand Forks would love to see each athlete participate in all five seasons, it is not required. Athletes have the opportunity to choose which seasons fit them best.
I welcome you to Special Olympics North Dakota Grand Forks (Area 5) and look forward to getting to know you and your family. On this website is some additional information that I hope you find useful to learn more about our program. Please contact me if you have further questions.
Meredith Baumann
Area Director
Special Olympics Grand Forks (Area 5)
(701)746-8626 (after 6:00 p.m.)