Service Day
Special Olympics
The Area M Special Olympics is hosted on Messiah College's campus each year on Service Day.
Over 1,000 Special Olympic athletes will travel to Starry Fields after months of preparation and
training for their track and field events! Even if they're too young to participate in the games,
children with special needs will come to enjoy the Olympic Village!
Special Olympics Buddies
Each athlete will need a buddy for the day! This person will be paired up with an Olympian the morning of the games and will guide them through their events that day until they get on their bus to go back to school.
Generally, as a buddy you will...
- Make sure your athlete is prepared for his/her events
- Lead your athlete to their event location on time to compete
- CHEER THEM ON!
- Celebrate your athlete's participation and effort
- Hang out and have fun over lunch (provided) and at the Olympic Village
Time Commitment
A Special Olympics Buddy should report to Starry Fields on Messiah College's campus between 8-8:30am and will be released once his/her athlete is in the care of their sending school or parents to go home after lunch (usually by 1:30pm).
Registration
Register to be a buddy on-line with the Special Olympics Registration form! (login required)
Required Training Sessions
for new and returning buddies and game day staff
Come to pick up your t-shirt and get specific information you'll need to know for that day.
Students:
Tuesday, April 5th
6:30pm - Brubaker Auditorium
Employees & Community:
Thursday, April 7th
6:30pm - Parmer Cinema (Boyer 137)
Shirt pick up in the Howe Atrium of Boyer
Students may attend if unable to attend student training.
Special Olympics Training Info
Buddy Training PowerPoint Orientation
Track and Field Buddy Information
Competition Volunteer Information (click here!)
Aquatic Competition Volunteer Training Manual
Learn more about Special Olympics by clicking on the logo above.