Young Athletes is an innovative sports play program that introduces children ages 2-7 years old with and without intellectual disabilities to the world of sports. We believe there is no better way to bring these young athletes into the Special Olympics family than through a program like Young Athletes—fostering inclusion in a fun and engaging setting for all.
If you’d like to join a Young Athletes program near you, please fill out the Young Athletes Application and select your local program.
Additional information & locations coming soon!
Questions? Contact Health Programs Coordinator Lindsey Swanson at [email protected] or 763.270.7187.
Current Young Athlete Sessions
Hinckley Elementary School – Preschool classrooms
Running Young Athletes during gym class twice a week
Maple Grove Young Athletes
Tuesdays, June 7-July 26
6:15-7 PM
No session on July 5
Osseo Middle School
10223 93rd Ave N
Osseo, MN 55369
Google Maps
Orono Young Athletes
Wednesdays, May 4-June 1
5:30-6:30 PM
Schumann Elementary Gym
765 Old Crystal Bay Road
North Orono, MN 55356
Google Maps
GiGi’s Playhouse Young Athletes
Thursdays, June 12-August 14
10-10:45 AM
No session on July 7
GiGi’s Playhouse
4740 Park Glen Rd
St. Louis Park, MN 55416
Google Maps
White Bear Lake Young Athletes
Thursdays, June 16-August 4
10-10:45 AM
Redeemer Lutheran Church – White Bear Lake
3770 Bellaire Ave
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Google Maps
If you’re interested in implementing Young Athletes in your child’s preschool classroom, please contact Lindsey Swanson at [email protected].
Young Athletes volunteer opportunities
We’re looking for volunteers to help at Young Athlete sessions across Minnesota. Young Athletes is a sport and play program for children ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Volunteers help lead children through a series of activities and sport-related skills drills approximately once a week for 6-8 weeks. Training and equipment provided.
St. Louis Park area: We need a few volunteers to run Young Athletes at Gigi’s Playhouse this summer.
Marshall area: We need a few volunteers to work in conjunction with Marshall Community Ed to run Young Athletes this summer.
Richfield and Maple Grove area: We need a few volunteers who are interested in starting and running new sites this fall.
If you are interested, please contact Lindsey Swanson at [email protected] for more information!
