Special Olympics Vermont Health and Safety Announcement

 

Dear SOVT Community,   There have been reports recently from the State of Vermont about cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) locally, identifying Alburgh, Burlington, Colchester, and Swanton as high-risk areas. EEE is caused by a virus spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito.   While most areas of Vermont are not currently affected, we wanted to share this information as a precaution.   Some steps you can take to reduce mosquito bites regardless of your area's risk designation include wearing insect repellent and covering up with long sleeves and pants especially when mosquitoes are most active, between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. SOVT’s Board of Directors Health Committee Chair, Dr. Jill Rinehart, recommends using insect repellent containing DEET and mentions that Deep woods OFF! is a favorite brand.   It has been recommended to HOD's that if your practices are scheduled in a high-risk area, please follow the current guidance to stay indoors between the hours of 6pm-6am until there is a hard frost that will kill off the mosquito population.   Please be on the lookout for any further communication from your HOD.   A helpful map of affected areas can be found by clicking the button below: Click Here for Map Additional information from the Vermont Department of Health can be found by clicking the button below: Click Here for Additional Information Thank you & Stay Safe, The SOVT Team 16 Gregory Drive, South Burlington, VT, USA (802) 863-5222 Visit our website

Chittenden Golf Practice schedule change effective 9/5/24

Hi all, the Kwini Club has some swampy areas between the putting green and the chipping green making it a problem area for mosquitos. The Vermont Department of Health has suggested avoiding the outdoors from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. To be cautious, we are moving our golf practice from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM. This will accommodate most participants. If you have to show up a little late, that is OK. The Vermont Department of Health also recommends wearing long pants, long sleeve shirts and appropriate mosquito repellent too. Thanks, Dave

Vermont Department of Health EEE advisory:

https://www.healthvermont.gov/disease-control/mosquito-borne-diseases/eastern-equine-encephalitis

Vermont Department of Health Mosquito information:

https://www.healthvermont.gov/disease-control/mosquito-borne-diseases/prevent-mosquito-bites

2024 Special Olympics Golf

We have added our golf schedule to the Fall Sports line-up.

Golf - Golf will be on Thursdays, starting August 8th from 5:30 - 7:00 at the Kwini Club Practice Facility, 5353 Spear St, Shelburne, VT 05482. 

The  2024 Special Olympics Vermont  Golf Tournament will be on Sunday, September 29th at The Golf Club at Basin Harbor, 4800 Basin Harbor Rd, Vergennes, VT 05491. Contact Dave Bogdan <dbogdansr@gmail.com> or 802-865-3840 to sign up!

Baseball Extravaganza Night - Boston Red Sox vs New York Yankees, Friday July 26th

 

2024 Special Olympics Vermont Summer Games Event Guide

2024 Special Olymics Chittenden Fall Sports

Hi all, Summer is almost here and it is time to announce our Fall Sports Program! We start fall sports in July but the competition is in September so we call it fall sports!

Soccer - Soccer will be on Mondays, starting July 22nd from 5:45pm - 7:00pm at the Willey Family Farm, 4 St. James Place, Essex Junction.  Contact Dave Bogdan <dbogdansr@gmail.com> or 802-865-3840 to sign up!

Track - Track will be on Mondays, starting July 22nd from 6:00pm - 7:30pm at the Essex High School track. Contact Dave Bogdan <dbogdansr@gmail.com> or 802-865-3840 to sign up!

Softball - Softball will be on Tuesdays, starting July 23rd from 6:00pm - 7:30pm  5:30pm - 7:00pm at Schifilliti Field, 126 Gosse Ct, Burlington, VT 05408. Contact Dave Bogdan <dbogdansr@gmail.com> or 802-865-3840 to sign up! 

 

Golf - Golf will be on Thursdays, starting August 8th from 5:30 - 7:00 at the Kwini Club Practice Facility, 5353 Spear St, Shelburne, VT 05482. Contact Dave Bogdan <dbogdansr@gmail.com> or 802-865-3840 to sign up!

 

The 2024 Special Olympics Vermont Track and Soccer Competition will be on Saturday September 14th at the Essex High School, 1 Education Dr, Essex Junction, VT.  

 

The 2024 Special Olympics Vermont Golf Tournament will be on Sunday, September 29th at The Golf Club at Basin Harbor, 4800 Basin Harbor Rd, Vergennes, VT 05491.  

 

Our Softball Team will join the 2024 Special Olympics New Hampshire Softball Competition on Saturday September 28th at  the LAFA Fields in Londonderry NH.

 

2024 Special Olympics Night at the Lake Monsters

2024 FUNfitness Physical Therapy - Wednesday May 29th

Chittenden Swimming practice cancelled 3/23/24

 With the Winter Storm Advisory, we are cancelling swim practice for Saturday 3/23/24. Thanks, Dave

2024 Special Olympics Vermont Ski and Snowboard Competition March 14 - March 16

We are excited to be hosting the 2024 Winter Games Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding Competition on Friday, March 15th! 

Please find the Event Guide here: CLICK HERE - Event Guide

The competition will be held at The Hermitage Club (at Haystack Mountain) - 183 Gatehouse Trl, Wilmington, VT 05363

Overnight accommodations will be provided at Potash Hill - 2582 South Road, Marlboro, VT 05344

Required Hermitage Club WAIVER form: CLICK HERE - GUEST WAIVER RELEASE

Waivers are required for anyone attending Hermitage Club. Unfortunately, despite my requests, they are not able to produce a “hard copy” waiver. The online waiver can be found here: https://my.1risk.net/1waiverKioskv2/sign?a=aHR0cHM6Ly9teS4xcmlzay5uZXQvaGVybWl0YWdlYXBpfDNjYzgwMzhlOTVmMjQxYmQ4NWU0ZDcwMzAwMDQxMTU1fDc

 

Anyone who is legally able to sign for themselves or will have a guardian on-site will be able to sign the waiver at the Hermitage Club during arrivals/check-in. Anyone who cannot sign for themselves and will *not* have a guardian with them will need to get the waiver completed in advance.

Remaining KEY Volunteer Opportunities:

• Alpine Jury (min 4 desired, representing multiple delegations)
• Finish Announcer
• Finish Referee
• Finish Score Board Manager
• Gate Judges (5 spots remaining)
• Start Area Marshall
• Starter/Start Referee
• Electronic Timing operator

 Volunteer sign-up page

 

Draft Schedule:

Thursday, March 14

• 12:00pm – 4:00pm Potash Hill opens for SOVT-registered delegates to check-in to overnight accommodations
• 12:00pm – 4:00pm: Hermitage Club opens for SOVT-registered delegates to free-ski and get familiar with the venue
• 4:30pm – 6:00pm: Delegation check-in at Hermitage Club
• 6:00pm – 6:30pm: Delegation line-up for Opening Ceremonies at Hermitage Club
• 6:30pm – 7:15pm: Opening Ceremonies at Hermitage Club
• 7:15pm (Following Opening Ceremonies): Depart for Potash Hill for those staying overnight
• 7:00pm – 8:30pm: Arrivals at Potash Hill (overnight housing accommodations in Marlboro, VT) for those staying overnight, Delegation check-in for later arriving programs also available.

 Friday, March 15

• 6:00am – 9:00am: Volunteer meeting/orientation, Course Setting and Inspections at Hermitage Club
• 6:00am – 8:30am: Continental Breakfast at Hermitage Club for registered delegates or those family members and spectators who have paid the per-person fee. Athletes may store gear in the Snowsports Lunchroom in the Gavett Center.
• 8:00am – Coaches Meeting
• 9:00am – Races Start
• Rocker – Adv GS
• Haymaker – Intermediate Slalom
• Blue Sky – Novice Slalom
• 10:30am - Races Continue
• Rocker – Intermediate GS
• Haymaker – Advanced Slalom
• Fannie Hill – Novice GS
• 11:30am – 1:00pm: Athletes break for lunch: Pre-Made Sandwiches, 2 Soup Options (one GF & Vegan) available for registered delegates or those family members and spectators who have paid the per-person fee.
• Rocker Course Reset to Super G
• Fannie Hill (or Haymaker) Course Reset to Super G
• 1:00pm
• Rocker - Intermediate & Advanced Super G
• Fannie Hill (or Haymaker) Novice Super G
• 3:00pm: Race Course Breakdown, Scoring and Awards Calculations
• 4:00pm-end of Awards: Awards Ceremony (we will begin sooner if we are able!)
• End of Awards - 7:00pm: Delegation downtime, travel to Potash Hill (or departure for those NOT joining for dinner/dance or overnight accommodation)
• 7:00pm – 8:30pm: Dinner and dance!

 Saturday, March 16

• Athlete/Delegation departures by 10:00am ß Chittenden depart by 9:00 AM
• SOVT clean-up and pack out by 12:00pm

 

Meals Information:

Thursday dinner options:

• Thanks to a generous sponsorship from Rally 2 Give, the cost of Thursday evening dinner at the Hermitage Club will be covered for all registered delegates! This buffet dinner will be open from 4:30pm-6pm ahead of Athlete line up and Opening Ceremonies!

Friday meal options:

• Outside food is not permitted at the Hermitage Club on Friday
• Continental breakfast and soup/sandwich lunch are provided to registered delegates and to those who pay the per-person fee. 
• Continental Breakfast will be available: 7am – 10am 
• Location: Stone Room 
• Fruit Salad, Banana’s, Apples, Yogurt, Coffee, Pastries, Bagels
• Lunch will be available: 11:30am – 1:30pm
• Mini Salad Bar
• Choice of Pre-Made Sandwich

• Turkey and Cheese on Sliced Bread, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Pickle, on the side

• Ham and Cheese on Sliced Bread, L,T,O,P, on the side

• PB&J on Sliced Bread

• Choice of Soup

• 1 Vegan Option

• 1 Heartier Option

• Athletes/Delegations are encouraged to bring additional food if there are concerns about having enough - particularly for breakfast. Each dorm at Potash Hill has a common kitchen space with a refrigerator so delegates can eat breakfast prior to leaving for Hermitage Club on Friday morning.
• Athletes and Families can additionally purchase hot foods, bottled drinks and pre-packaged items from the Hermitage Club food venue at an additional cost, paid by athlete or family via credit card. (Hermitage Club is a Cash Free Club).
• Friday evening dinner and dance at Potash Hill can accommodate more people than overnight guests. Registered delegates will be prioritized before opening to parents/additional guests. There is no anticipated fee for registered delegates, fee for non-registered guests by donation.
• Menu expected to include BBQ fare including chicken (available without maple BBQ sauce by request) and veggie burgers along with sides. Please indicate dietary restrictions in registration. Efforts have been made to ensure at least one option available to accommodate vegetarian and gluten-free diets. We cannot guarantee all dietary restrictions can be accommodated.

Saturday meal options:

• A light breakfast and coffee will be available at Potash Hill for Saturday morning departures. Expected offerings include: a muffin, a piece of fruit, a water bottle, and a cup of coffee.
• Athletes/Delegations are encouraged to bring additional food if there are concerns about having enough - particularly for breakfast. Each dorm at Potash Hill has a common kitchen space with a refrigerator so delegates can eat breakfast prior to departures.

 

·        Frequently Asked Questions