Special Olympics Delaware's signature event, sponsored by DuPont, takes place the second weekend each June at the University of Delaware.
Athletes and unified partners compete in six sports -- aquatics, bocce, powerlifting, softball, tennis and track & field -- over two days.
In addition to the competitions, athletes have the opportunity to spend the night with their teams in the dormitories, and enjoy the activities in Olympic Village at the Family Picnic on Friday after competition.
The grand Opening Ceremony begins at 7 p.m. at the Bob Carpenter Center and is free and open to the public.
More than 1,000 volunteers from a variety of companies and the community at large, led by a veteran organizing committee, donate their time and talents to ensure this event is a memorable experience for everyone involved.
In addition to the sponsors and supporters listed below, the Delaware Air National Guard (logistics/operations) and DOW (Olympic Village and food volunteers) provide vital behind-the-scenes support.
The 2013 Summer Games will take place June 7-8 at the University of Delaware.
Summer Games Registration and Info packet
Summer Games Program Director memo
Uniform Request -- community programs
Uniform Request -- school programs
Deadlines:
April 12: Athlete and Unified Partner physical and registration forms due in SODE office
April 12: Letter of Intent due
May 6: Uniform orders due Uniform Request -- community programs Uniform Request -- school programs
May 20: Final registrations due
Sports information for the 2013 Summer Games will be added closer to the event.
Aquatics: Sponsored by YMCA of Delaware and Discover, events at the UD Outdoor Pool range from flotation races to 100 individual medleys.
Bocce: Sponsored by Citi Delaware, doubles teams vie for the gold on carpeted courts inside the Bob Carpenter Center. (Due to construction, the bocce venue at the 2013 Summer Games has been moved to Rullo Stadium.)
Powerlifting: Sponsored by TD Bank, athletes compete in bench press, squat and combined on Saturday inside the Bob Carpenter Center.
Softball: Sponsored by Wells Fargo , the Unified Softball tournament begins Friday morning with preliminary games followed by medal-round games on Saturday. All games take place at Handloff Park, located off Barksdale Road in Newark, less than three miles from the UD athletic complex.
Tennis: Sponsored by Barclay Card, athletes can participate in singles, doubles, Unified doubles or the individual skills competition. All matches take place on the UD outdoor tennis courts, located on the North side of the Delaware Field House.
Track & Field: Sponsored by DuPont, preliminary races and field events take place Friday along with some finals, but the bulk of the finals take place Saturday. All events are held at the UD Outdoor Track, located behind the football stadium. (Due to construction, the track and field venue at the 2013 Summer Games has been moved inside the Delaware Field House.)
Motor Activity Training Program demonstrations will take place Friday morning at the Bob Carpenter Center.
Young Athletes: Sponsored by Macy's, children ages 2-7 demonstrate motor skills in beginning aquatics and track and field events.
Awards: Sponsored by Bank of America, the awards venues highlight the athletes' accomplishments and include members of Delaware Law Enforcement presenting medals to each participant.
Family Picnic: The Family Picnic is the perfect opportunity for athletes, coaches and families to gather for a barbecue on Friday evening prior to the Opening Ceremonies. The picnic takes place on the grassy field in front of Delaware Stadium beginning at 4:00 p.m. A disc jockey will provide entertainment throughout the event and the "Flame of Hope" will arrive at approximately 5:00 p.m. following its 160-mile Torch Run journey!
Healthy Athletes: Supported by Bank of America, Healthy Athletes is made up of health-related educational and screening programs offered for athletes at Summer Games. The major components of Opening Eyes and Special Smiles, along with TRAIN -- a program focused on fitness and nutrition -- are offered on Friday from 2:30 - 6:30 as part of Olympic Village. Practice without Pressure also hosts a women's health component.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided for all registered athletes, coaches, team volunteers and day-of event volunteers.
Olympic Village: Sponsored by Exxon, the Olympic Village is located in front of Delaware Stadium from 3 - 6:30 p.m. and provides opportunities for athletes to learn and have fun after Friday's competitions. Numerous activities are offered ranging from trying on space suits to climbing a rock wall to getting your picture taken with special guests.
Opening Ceremonies: Friday night at 7:00 at the Bob Carpenter Center is the time and site for the event's gala Opening Ceremonies. The ceremony includes the introduction of teams, footage from the past program year, and special guests. The highlight of the event is the arrival of the Flame of Hope and the lighting of the cauldron by the SODE Outstanding Athlete and the Torch-Runner of the Year.
Torch Run: The 160-mile journey of the Flame of Hope begins Wednesday night in Rehoboth Beach and includes stops in Dover (Thursday) and Wilmington (Friday) for brief celebrations before arriving at the athletic complex at approximately 5 p.m. during the Athlete/Family Barbecue. Over 500 law enforcement officers representing every agency in the state take part in the three-day event. Delaware continues to be the only state in the country that keeps its flame lit during the entire statewide journey.
Victory Dance: For some, the highlight of the weekend is the victory dance, held on the lawn in front of Delaware Stadium as part of the Family Picnic. Stories from the day's events are told and memories are made as athletes, coaches and volunteers dance the evening away before heading into the Bob Carpenter Center for Opening Ceremonies.
Picnic and Dance: Families are invited to be SODE's guests at the Friday evening barbecue and dance, where they can join their athletes to talk about the day's events, dance, dance, dance, or just relax and visit with other family members. And ... be on hand to cheer on the arrival of the "Flame of Hope" as it completes its 160-mile journey. Families Picnic flyer
Concessions: will be available on both days at the UD concession stand, located near the Families Tent.
Hospitality: A Families Tent will be located Olympic Village to provide an opportunity for families to visit with each other, learn more about Special Olympics, and enjoy refreshments provided by Aramark.
Directions: Directions to the UD athletic complex.
Housing for Families: Due to limited dormitory space, housing on campus is not available for families. However, there are several hotels located near the athletic complex.
Opening Ceremonies: Following the barbecue/dance on Friday night, families are invited to be in the stands to watch the athletes parade into the Opening Ceremonies at 7 p.m.
Safety Guidelines: For the safety of the competitors, family members will not be allowed directly in the competition areas. Only credentialed coaches and volunteers will be permitted "inside the ropes" at competition venues. There will be ample spectator seating at all venues and opportunities to take photos from designated areas, including at awards. We appreciate you respecting the directional signs located at each venue. For safety reasons, non-credentialed family members will not be permitted into the dormitories to visit the athletes.
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