Descriptions of Volunteer Opportunities
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 Athletics Events/Sports & Games:

This is where we have our greatest need for volunteers. Responsibilities will include things such as score keepers, timers, and escorts for taking athletes to and from their events, lane monitors, announcers, huggers, and other duties that may be required to run events affectively.

Volunteers needed: 10-100 volunteers per time slot per event/venue per day, depending on the day and event.

Administrative Services:

This volunteer opportunity generally involves working directly with members of the Special Olympics operations committee in ensuring all of the setup for the games and individual events are completed on time. This is a good way to get involved especially if you think you are interested in getting more deeply involved with Special Olympics and would like to take on greater responsibility.

Approximate Volunteers needed: 20-50 per time slot per day, depending on the day

Athlete Arrival/Exit:

Volunteers at this venue will be welcoming and helping athletes and coaches exit/load the busses. This would involve carrying bags and equipment from the unloading areas to the athletes/coaches dorm rooms.

Approximate Volunteers needed: 50 volunteers per day.

Athlete Escort:

These volunteers are those that would like to act as a “chaperone” to an athlete as he/she travels to and from different venues and events. There is a very limited need for this type of volunteer and experience with physically/mentally challenged persons is preferred.

Approximate Volunteers needed: 2-4 volunteers per day depending on the request made by coaches. These volunteers should report to the main volunteer tent for check-in. If no-one has requested an escort you may be reassigned to another event/venue of your choice.

Bed Making:

This involves making beds in the dormitories before the athletes and coaches arrive. We have about 2,000 beds to make so we need a lot of volunteers. This is a great activity for larger groups and younger children who would like to help at the games.

Approximate Volunteers needed: 100 volunteers per time slot per day

Ceremonies Opening/Closing:

Volunteers at these 2 events will be responsible for helping athletes and coaches find their seats at the opening and closing ceremonies. Other duties may include helping less capable athletes to their seats, directing pedestrian traffic to the proper locations, and guarding exits.

Approximate Volunteers needed: 50 volunteers per ceremony per day for the event. Approximately 10 volunteers will be needed before and after the ceremonies for set-up and tear-down activities.

Healthy Athlete:

Volunteering at this venue entails working registration tables to sign in athletes and their families and to register them to receive doctor’s check-ups for their eyes and other health related exams.

Approximate Volunteers needed: 8 volunteers per time slot per day

Olympic Village:

Entails running stations and activities within the Olympic Village located in the East Halls quad. Olympic Village is the place where athletes and coaches go to socialize, blow of steam, have fun, and learn something new in their free time.

Approximate Volunteers needed: 10 volunteers per time slot per day

Special Operations (S.O.S.):

The role of the SOS volunteer is to provide a point of contact for communications between the athletes, coaches, and spectators and the Special Olympics staff in case of medical emergencies, lost athletes or general information. In no circumstances are you expected to provide any direct assistance, but the SOS volunteers must be at least eighteen years of age, and able to remain clam and relay accurate information in the case of emergency situations. The SOS volunteers with be screened to ensure their prior experience and ability prior to assignment to a venue.

Approximate Volunteers needed: 5-10 volunteers per time slot per day

Sports Fest:

This is a special event that takes place on Friday evening of the games. Volunteering for this venue entails operating, overseeing, and scoring games, activities, and non-olympic sports for the athletes.

Approximate Volunteers needed: 50-75 volunteers per time slot per day