Looking for ways to keep active at home? Due to all of the challenges 2020 & 2021 has brought us, Special Olympics Georgia has created ways for athletes to stay engaged!
Please see below for all activities, games, workouts, etc. and contact your Program Manager if you have any ideas to add to this page
A Big Thank You to our 2021 Virtual Sponsor, The Coca-Cola Company
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Join SOGA in our first ever esports league! The goal is to host state-wide Unified tournaments throughout the year in a fun, interactive and virtual way. Attached is our promotional flyer to pass along and our Athletes and Unified Partners, our esports Athlete and UP Code of Conduct that will need to be submitted by anyone who wants to participate and a mobility training to utilize throughout the gaming experience. The first “sport” we are introducing is Rocket League, this is a fun soccer/car racing hybrid game that is FREE and can be played cross platform (Xbox/PlayStation/PC).
Please have anyone who is interested submit the Code of Conduct and complete the Registration Form: https://forms.gle/pHVXJzPrB2RYMcaK9
They can also connect with us through our Discord chat page where our athletes/partners can converse when setting up for games and tournaments: https://discord.gg/aCtd2FZa
Please contact Logan Gross (logan.gross@specialolympicsga.org) if you have any questions. PROMO FLYER
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Halloween is quickly approaching, so you know what’s coming along with it… Halloween Virtual Bingo! Join us on Thursday, October 28th at 2pm for some spooky virtual fun. We would love to see you in some kind of costume whether it be funny, slightly frightening, or super creative. Speaking of costumes… YOU are going to be the judges of our SOGA Staff Costume Contest this year! We will kick off bingo at 2pm by having the SOGA staff that are participating in the costume contest show you what they dressed up as. Then, I will post a poll in the Zoom for you to cast your vote. It’s going to be spooktacular!
Our bingo tutorial can be found here: https://fb.watch/3qL9BVkDM-/. More information can also be found in the attached graphics.
To register, go to https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEld-mspj8uGdFcTtjU4sbKkjaHdLrc8iTw
Everyone is invited – this includes athletes, friends, family, coaches, etc.! Please contact Hannah.Creasey@specialolympicsga.org or MEC@specialolympicsga.org with any questions.
Tip for teachers: please be sure to check that you can go to www.bingomaker.com and click “Join a Game” (which will take you to https://app.bingomaker.com/play/). Some schools have these websites blocked, and we want to ensure you are able to join us with no issues!
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Join us next Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at 9:30am for an end of the month virtual yoga session! A soft surface like a mat, blanket, towel, or whatever else works for you is suggested. Water is always encouraged so you can stay hydrated throughout the practice. Be ready to set some new goals and intentions to start September off on a good note! 🧘♂️
Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZItdOCurTwvG9YozrhPatrKy-RxpiSies9E
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SONA Move Challenge Fall 2021
Important Updates:
- Registration for the SONA Move Challenge opens Sunday, August 1! Beginning next weekend, Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners can head to https://tinyurl.com/SONAMoveFall2021 and click the red “Sign Up Now!” button. Note: the button will NOT work prior to August 1 so please don’t direct individuals to sign up prior to that date. Individuals have until September 7 to register.
Registration Reminders/Best Practices:
- Only Special Olympics athletes can register as an individual. All Unified partners need to be part of a Unified Doubles pair or a Unified/College team.
- Participants need to be paired with a Doubles partner prior to registration and each member of the Doubles should input the same team name when registering.
- Participants need to already be matched with their Team prior to registration and each member of the Team should input the same team name when registering.
- Unified teams (including college teams) must be at least 25% athletes and 25% Unified partners (ex – a 4-person Unified Team is 1 athlete and 3 Unified partners or 3 athletes and 1 Unified partner).
Available Resources:
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See above on how to make homemade stress balls!
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This is a friendly competition between each agency, to encourage athletes to get up, get on the move, and go the distance. The purpose is to Walk or Roll in a wheelchair for at least 30 minutes a day to improve your overall fitness. You will be responsible for keeping up and turning in their total distance(miles). Distances will need to be sent into your Program Manager by 2:30pm Friday January 29th. The top 3 agencies that has the most distance will be recognized on our social media outlets on Monday, February 1st . So get out, go the distance, and have fun!!!
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Most Memorable Moment in Sports…
Share with us your most memorable sports moment. This can be your own personal experience at SOGA competing or winning a medal, an event/play you attended or watched on TV, or even a scene in a movie.
Send us a quick video sharing your response as to what the moment was and what made it so memorable.
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We want YOU to encourage your athletes to be active for 30 minutes a day! They can walk, run, roll in a wheelchair, lift weights, ride a bike literally ANYTHING that is active and gets them moving. We know this year has been challenging and it can be easy to want to stay inside and not move your body but we want to encourage our athletes to stay active and healthy. Please email Kelli Bonner at kelli.bonner@specialolympicsga.org if you have any follow up questions.
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Introducing a whole new way to exercise, featuring WWE Superstar Becky Lynch. Work out with the videos five times a week to help you stay fit and reach your athletic goals. Download or print out your fitness tracker. Seeing your progress on paper can motivate you, help you set realistic fitness goals, and even beat them! Visit SpecialOlympics.Org/School-of-Strength to access the videos, fitness tracker and more!
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Fit 5 Guide – Want to Stay fit at home?
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Inclusive Workouts:
https://www.facebook.com/anytimefitness/posts/4777688085590760
Join Special Olympics Georgia and Anytime Fitness for an inclusive virtual workout that everyone can do! Coach Katie will lead you through a core and upper body workout that you can do standing or sitting. All you need is a workout band. Also, be sure to check out the Special Olympics workout playlist on Spotify while you join us: https://spoti.fi/2yTCPD5. #CoachCareConnect
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We want to see your holiday spirit! Join us on National Ugly Sweater Day on December 18th and send us your photos in your ugly sweaters! Please send all pictures/videos to liz.smith@specialolympicsga.org
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This Holiday season, SOGA wants to see all the ways our athletes are getting creative with their gingerbread creations. From December 7th – December 21st, send in pictures of your gingerbread houses, people, cookies, or any other creations you can think of and you’ll be featured on our SOGA social media! Submissions can be sent to Stephanie Bailey at stephanie.bailey@specialolympicsga.org.
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Are you ready for the Holidays? We sure are! Its finally December, which means its time to started decorating! Here is a Holiday Ornament no bake recipe you can use to create and decorate your own personalized ornaments! We would love to see what you come up with. Share you photos in the comments of ornaments you made for the holidays, or email them to Rachel Kitchens at Rachel.Kitchens@specialolympicsga.org
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Starting Monday, November 9th, we will be sharing different ways that you can participate in Random Acts of Kindness Week. Please reach out to Hannah Creasey at Hannah.Creasey@specialolympicsga.org for the documents & ideas to spread kindness!
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After a long and stressful year, we want to hear what YOU are thankful for! Each Thursday, we will be featuring videos, pictures, and stories from our amazing SOGA Family on our various social media channels. Send any pictures, videos, or thankful stories to Hannah Creasey at Hannah.Creasey@specialolympicsga.org
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We want to see what’s on your menu 🍳🥗🥙 Do you enjoy cooking healthy from home? Share your recipes with us! We are working on a SOGA Cookbook to promote a balanced diet and clean eating.
Submit your athletes recipes and photos to Rachel Kitchens at Rachel.Kitchens@SpecialOlympicsGA.Org! We look forward to seeing what you cook up!
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Pumpkin carving contest! Send us your photos all month long, a winner will be selected to get a 50th water bottle, LETR t-shirt, and hat.
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Halloween Costume Party! Send us your photos in costume on October 30th and we will feature you on social media
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STRIDE CHALLENGE
WHAT: An 8-week distance challenge to walk, run or roll in a wheelchair.
WHO: Special Olympics athletes can register as an individual or part of a Unified pair with a family member, friend or other supporter.
WHEN: Participant registration opens October 7. The SONA Stride Challenge runs October 19 – December 13, 2020.
HOW: After registering, participants keep track of the distance they run, walk or roll in their wheelchairs via Strava. Each week on Monday, they will self-report their distance for the previous 7 days via a survey, earning them a coveted spot on the leaderboard.
We want you to encourage your athletes to join the SOGA Team! They can join OUR TEAM by signing up here: https://www.strava.com/clubs/SOGAChamps
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We are doing another Virtual Walk week! Let’s stay active during these times, and share any photos or videos to be featured on social media!
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Take the Healthy Athletes Challenge! Choose to be a Healthy Athlete by eating more fruits and vegetables. Show us how you do it and submit to Stephanie Bailey
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Hawks at Home offers opportunities to learn basketball skills and drills so you can stay on top of your game while staying home. Not so sure about basketball? Hawks at Home also includes instructional dance videos, STEM activities and coloring pages.
Check it out at www.hawks.com/hawksathome
We encourage you to share this information with athletes in your program as it is a great resource to provide them with safe activities to do from home.
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We want to see your artistic abilities! Submit your art paintings by August 7th and they will be shared on social media. Post on social media and tag Special Olympics Georgia or send to Rachel Kitchens
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We are doing a FACEBOOK GIVEAWAY for a limited edition SOGA Prize Pack! If you want to enter to win the rules are very simple.
First, you have to follow our account and the like the Giveaway Post.
Second, you have to share the post on your personal Facebook Page.
And lastly, you have to tag two friends in the post as well.
The winner will be randomly selected this Friday!
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Activities and Tips for Stress:
Healthy Salad Recipes:
https://www.specialolympics.org/stories/athletes/healthy-salad-recipes
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Here at SOGA, we want you to stay active during these uncertain times. One of the easiest way to get exercise and fresh air is by walking. Join us starting June 29th through July 3rd for Walk Week with SOGA!
We want to see you walking at home! Take a photo or video (or two or three) and show us how you are getting active. While walking, enjoy the fresh air and take a selfie. If you send it to us, you could get featured on our SOGA social media accounts! Or tag us in your social media post. This is a great way to get up and moving.
When you do walk, make sure you are practicing social distancing and don’t forget your mask.
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Are you running out of ideas to stay busy while being stuck at home? How about a Scavenger Hunt – Selfie style??
I have attached a sample list of items you may be able to find in your home, but feel free to customize your own list of things to find. As you find your items, take a selfie, send to us, and you could get featured on our SOGA social media accounts! This is a great way to get up and moving even if you are stuck inside.
If you have any questions or you want to submit your selfies, reach out to Courtney Payne at Courtney.Payne@specialolympicsga.org!
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For 30 minutes a day, dance to some of your favorite songs and show us your moves and how you stay healthy at home! As part of our mission choose to include, we think it would be fun if we did a Virtual Choose to Include Dance!
For those who would like to join in on the fun, please record a 10 second video of your athletes, unified partners, coaches, and volunteers showing us their awesome dance moves. Once combined, it will be one big SOGA chain of dance moves! So get up, get outside, dance it out, and show us your awesome moves! Send in your video clip or any questions you may have to Meredith-Elizabeth Crum @ MEC@specialolympicsga.org
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