Coaches are role models and character builders. Coaches give Special Olympics athletes the most immediate awareness of their own worth, ability, courage and capacity to grow and improve.

Mower County Special Olympics is currently looking for coaches and Unified Partners for bowling (October-March) basketball (December-February), volleyball (February-April), track and field (April-June),  tennis (June-August) and softball (June-September).

Are you new to Special Olympics Minnesota?: If you’re interested in being a coach and have not been in contact with a delegation or team, please complete our coach interest form.

Are you connected with a Special Olympics Minnesota team? Are you an existing coach?  Do you need to update your Level 1 certification?: All coaches who work with athletes need to be level 1 certified. Level 1 certified coaches can coach any sport.

Step 1, complete the online volunteer application.You’ll receive an email from eServices@geninfo.com. This is from General Information Services (GIS), required to complete your background check. If you need a printable PDF, please contact jasmine.jones@somn.org.

Step 2, complete the online level 1 certification course and quiz.

This training is designed for new coaches, and current coaches who need to renew their protective behaviors training. General orientation, protective behaviors and concussion training are all included in the Level 1 training.

Do you want to become level 2 certified in a specific sport?  Do you want to renew your level 2 certification?

Option 1: Online training

Online trainings are available in basketball, bowling, softball, track and field and volleyball.

Option 2: Attend in-person training.

Special Olympics Minnesota has a brand new Sports Academy offered in June 2017.

Coaches who are level 2 certified in multiple sports can get recertified for all of their sports at the same time. To do this, coaches must complete one recertification course and take a recertification quiz for each sport. Please visit our coach resources page for more continuing education courses. Additional training opportunities and level 3 certification courses are offered at the Sports Academy.

Unified Partners compete alongside Special Olympics athletes. Training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.

How to become a Unified Partner

1. Are you new to Special Olympics Minnesota?

If you’re interested in being a Unified Partner and have not been in contact with a delegation or team, please complete our coach interest form.

2. Are you connected with a Special Olympics Minnesota team? Are you an existing Unified Partner? Do you need to update your level 1 certification?

All Unified Partners who work with athletes need to be level 1 certified.

Step 1: Complete the online volunteer application

You’ll receive an email from eServices@geninfo.com to complete your background check. If you need a printable PDF, please contact jasmine.jones@somn.org.

Step 2: Complete the online level 1 certification course and quiz

This training is designed for new Unified Partners, and current Unified Partners who need to renew their protective behaviors training. General orientation, protective behaviors and concussion are all included in the Level 1 training.

A helping hand

People First Aktion Club is collecting items for the Mower County Humane Society and the Ronald McDonald House.

Drop off your donated items anytime in October.

Mower County Humane Society: Cat toys, dryer sheets, kong and rope toys for dogs, garbage bags — kitchen and trash Can — 30, 40 gallons and up, paper towels.

Ronald McDonald House: Fruit snacks, boxes of dry cereal, 13-gallon garbage bags, re-sealable sandwich bags, plastic food storage containers

Volunteer Opportunities

If you are interested in volunteering, please email office@thearcmc.org or call 507-433-8994 or visit www.thearcmc.org/volunteer for more information.

Upcoming events

October 2017

•Oct. 17: Bingo, 6-7:30 p.m.

•Oct. 20: Halloween Spooktacular Dance, 6-8 p.m.

•Oct. 27: Jack-O-Lantern Floats and Card Bingo, 6-7:30 p.m.

•Oct. 30: Newsletter Folding And Assembly, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

•Oct. 31: Halloween Party, 5:30-7:30 p.m.