Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe practice at the University Mall 12/17/2016

All, practice will be at the University Mall again this Saturday, 12/17/2016.

Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe practice at the University Mall 12/10/2016

All, we will be walking at the University Mall this Saturday, 12/10/2016. See you there.  Dave

2016/17 Alpine Ski and Snowboard Practice

ALPINE SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING

As previously announced, Special Olympics Vermont and Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sport are partnering to provide Chittenden Alpine Ski and Snowboard practice this year. Practices will again be at Sugarbush Mount Ellen. On mountain practice will be from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM Sunday's beginning January 8th, 2017. 

We are providing transportation, to those who requested transportation, from the Special Olympics Vermont office to Sugarbush and back. We will depart at 11:30 AM, arrive at 12:30 PM, immediately get ready for practice and return to Special Olympics Vermont by 5:00 PM. Athletes may bring a lunch and eat in the vehicles on the way to Sugarbush or eat before arriving. 

Our schedule is:

Vermont Adaptive Registration

Due by December 18th 2016, see Registration below

Practice

January 8th 2017 - February 26th 2017, 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM, Sugarbush

Winter Games

March 3rd - March 5th, Suicide Six, Woodstock

Alpine end of season party

March 12th 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM, Sugarbush

REGISTRATION

Please pre-register with Chittenden by calling or emailing Dave Bogdan, Phone: 802-865-3840, Email: dbogdan@ieee.org. If you leave a message, I will want to know if you plan on taking the bus.

Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sport will require a separate registration due to them by December 18th 2016. The registration includes a Guidelines document, a Race Team registration form and a Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports waiver and one I missed on the original post, the on-line Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sport Client Profile:


Client Profile: https://www.vermontadaptive.org/users/client-profile-step1.php 
Guidelines: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B33_m6DsP8ZAdlNFcXFUc0FhaHc
Race Team registration: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B33_m6DsP8ZATk9XUHRQNDZ6ak0
Waiver: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B33_m6DsP8ZAbDN5dC1PdmZXUmc

Chittenden Program Coordinator:
David Bogdan: 802-865-3840, dbogdan@ieee.org

Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports Program Coordinator:
Olivia Joseph: 802-343-1193, north@vermontadaptive.org

Alpine Ski and Snowboard Program News!

Dear families,

The winter sports season is right around the corner! We are excited to announce a new partnership that will benefit Chittenden athletes who train and compete in alpine skiing and snowboarding. Special Olympics Vermont and Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports are joining forces to better serve our athletes.

Similar to the Special Olympics mission, Vermont Adaptive is committed to empowering individuals with disabilities through access to and instruction in a variety of sports throughout the year. The organization is a national leader in sports and recreation for all ages and serves people with any disability. Vermont Adaptive has built a network of more than 400 highly trained volunteer instructors.

The basic structure of the Special Olympics Vermont alpine and snowboarding program will stay the same. Below are some details about changes and improvements:

• Practice for Chittenden athletes will take place on Sundays at Sugarbush Mt. Ellen from 1-3:30pm beginning the first week of January (1/8/2017). Transportation is tentatively planned to depart from the Special Olympics Vermont office in South Burlington at 10:30 AM and return by 5:00 PM. Complimentary equipment rental from the Alpine Shop will be available to all athletes. The Special Olympics Vermont Winter Games will take place March 3-5, 2017 at Suicide Six.
• Athletes will experience a lower coach-to-athlete ratio. Vermont Adaptive is typically able to provide a 1:1 ratio which will improve safety and direct sports instruction.
• Special Olympics Vermont is now accepting novice skiers and riders! Thanks to this partnership with Vermont Adaptive, we are now equipped to welcome beginners (ages 8+) to the program.
• Chittenden alpine and snowboard coaches will now be completely managed under the direction of Vermont Adaptive and benefit from their robust classroom and on-snow training to improve their skills and knowledge.
• As with all Special Olympics Vermont programs, alpine and snowboard training will be available to athletes at no cost.

Special Olympics is dedicated to providing high quality, authentic sports experiences for athletes with intellectual disabilities. We look forward to this pilot year and the opportunity to partner with Vermont Adaptive. If you have any questions or concerns about the program, please feel free to contact one of us.

Sincerely,

Justin Graham                                                                                                   David C. Bogdan

Special Olympics Vermont                                                                              Chittenden Program Coordinator             

Sports and Competition Manager                                                                 dbogdan@ieee.org

jgraham@vtso.org

2016/17 Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe Practice

Saturday's beginning December 10th from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Leddy Park. We plan on transitioning to the Catamount Outdoor Family Center on January 7th. Our trail tickets are graciously donated by the Catamount Outdoor Family Center. We will be handing out towels at the Penguin Plunge Saturday February 4th.  

Registration

Contact Dave Bogdan by phone or email to pre-register for Winter Sports! 

Phone: 802-865-3840
Email: dbogdan@ieee.org

Venue

This year we will use three practice venues depending on weather and snow conditions:

1. Catamount trails open and acceptable temperatures @ Catamount
2. Catamount trails closed and acceptable temperatures @ Burlington Bike path starting at Leddy Park and walking to north towards the Winooki River and return.
3. Unacceptable weather @ University Mall

Please watch this blog and your email for notices!

Schedule

December 10th - Leddy Park - December 17th - Leddy Park
January 7th - January 28th - Catamount Outdoor Family CenterFebruary 4th - Penguin Plunge - Burlington Waterfront
February 11th - February 25th - Catamount Outdoor Family Center
March 3rd - March 5th - Winter Games, Suicide Six, Woodstock VT, 05091

COACHES

Cross Country: 
Karen and Dave Bogdan, Phone: 865-3840 email: kraze1@comcast.net or dbogdan@ieee.org
Katie De Carolis, Phone: 802-862-9916 email: decarolisk@gmail.com

Snowshoe: 
Maggie Trayah, Phone: 524-3142 email: riahwind1@comcast.net

2016 Holiday Games Individual Bowling Competition

The 2016 Holiday Games Individual Bowling Competition will be held Sunday, December 4th 2016 at Twin City Family Fun Center

The day's schedule is available here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B33_m6DsP8ZARVpkcDRjcGM4NDg/view?usp=sharing

The session assignments may be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B33_m6DsP8ZAbnBvcThCZHpTdjQ/view?usp=sharing

2016 Knights of Columbus Christmas Party