2016 Special Olympics Vermont Winter Games

Athletes, families and caregivers,

On the 4, 5, and 6 of March, the Chittenden Delegation will be staying at the Woodstock Inn and competing at the nearby Suicide Six ski area. I hope this message will give you the information you need, but if you have questions, please call Maggie at 802-524-3142, Roland at 802-238-0071 or Karen or me at 802-865-3840.  Also Special Olympics Vermont has published the 2016 Winter Games Event Guide available here:

Event Guide:  
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B33_m6DsP8ZASTNUZEhpWl92TVNTcEt6Vnd3aWFaVTBrX2VZ

Woodstock Inn map:  
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B33_m6DsP8ZAYXBVT2hXSWlPREZ3ZEh0WWR4V19XWGlPajdn

Parents and guests

You are all welcome to come to the games to cheer the athletes on; the ski area is in South Pomfret, six miles north of Woodstock. Assuming the daily schedule will be the same as last year, the competition will begin at 9:00 both Saturday and Sunday morning. On Saturday the last race will end around 3:15, on Sunday around 11:45. 

Snow conditions and weather

As you are well aware, mother nature has not been cooperating with our winter sports program. Conditions at Suicide Six are not ideal. Please be prepared for changes in events and schedules to adjust for conditions. Suicide Six will do every thing in their power to create a good competition environment but we need to be prepared for changes and to go with the flow. 

Team travel

The Chittenden delegation will travel by car pool caravan leaving from the SOVT office in South Burlington and returning to the same place. You should be at the Special Olympics office by 2:30 PM on Friday, March 4th. We will return by 2:30 PM on Sunday, March 6th. A phone list will be brought so that we can make cell phone calls if our return time changes significantly.  Please anticipate that we may return early or late and be available for pick up.

Clothing

The athletes need to have clothing appropriate to being outdoors for two hours on Friday evening at the opening ceremony, for competing on Saturday and Sunday, and for the dance on Saturday night.  The theme of the dance is "Neon".  New for this year, the dance will end at 8:30!

Daily Logistics and Packing

On Saturday morning before breakfast, we need to be ready to board a bus at 7:00 to go to the ski area. Athletes must have everything that they will need until 4:00 pm when we will return by bus to the Woodstock Inn. On Sunday we will need to clear everything from our our rooms by 7:00 AM, before breakfast, and car pool to the ski area. We will not be returning to Woodstock; we will leave Sunday afternoon directly from the ski area. In order to make these moves without fail, athletes will have to pack very carefully. Athletes should bring one bag for ski/snowshoe equipment and one other bag for clothing. Please do not over pack! Bring only those items that they really need. Please leave your electronics at home. Cell phones are okay to bring but cell reception is very poor.  Please remember, Special Olympics staff and volunteers are not responsible for your stuff!

Friday evenings meal
The Woodstock Inn will be offering pizza by the slice. Please bring $10.00 to buy your own pizza and drink Friday evening. You may want to bring additional money for souvenirs from the Woodstock Inn or Suicide Six.

Saturday and Sunday Meals

Breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday and dinner on Saturday evening will be provided to credentialed people as part of the program.

Thanks!!!