Special Olympics South Dakota is an accredited program of Special Olympics, Inc. The mission of Special Olympics South Dakota is to provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of well coached, Olympic type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with families, other Special Olympians and the community.

Description:
Special Olympics South Dakota contributes to the physical, social and psychological development of people with intellectual disabilities. Through successful experiences in sports, athletes gain confidence and build a positive self-image associated with success. This success carries over into the classroom, the home and the community.

Special Olympics South Dakota offers individuals with intellectual disabilities an opportunity to train and participate in basketball, soccer, softball, aquatics, powerlifting, volleyball, equestrian and athletics.

Each year 16 area competitions and 6 state competitions are held at various locations throughout South Dakota. The largest annual events are the Special Olympics State Summer Games held in May and the State Bowling Tournament held in November.

Area competitions are: Unified Doubles Bowling, Singles Bowling, Basketball, Aquatics and Spring Games.

State competitions are: Basketball Tournament, Softball Tournament, Bowling Tournament, Unified Bowling Tournament, Equestrian Competition, and Summer Games.

Special Olympics is offered to the athletes completely free of charge. Special Olympics South Dakota relies upon sponsorships, corporate donations, civic group donations, individual donations, souvenir sales and fund-raising efforts to support its program. Supporting Special Olympics events makes a direct and significant impact on the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Sponsorship opportunities are available for all competitions, events and programs throughout the year.

A few of the fundraisers held annually are: Law Enforcement Torch Run, World's Largest Truck Convoy, 100 Holes of Golf, Mall Golf, Polar Plunges, Fire Truck Pulls, and others.

History:
The concept of Special Olympics began in the early 1960's, when Eunice Kennedy Shriver started a day camp for people with intellectual disability. In 1968, Mrs. Shriver organized the First International Special Olympics Games at Soldier Field in Chicago. From Chicago, the excitement spread to South Dakota, where in 1968 the 1st Annual Special Olympics South Dakota Summer Games were held with 125 athletes participating.

Today, more than 2000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities participate in Special Olympics South Dakota's year-round athletic program. Any individual eight years of age or older with intellectual disabilities is eligible to participate in Special Olympics.

Contact people:

Carol Husby, Chief Executive Officer, (605) 331-4117, (email) Melanie Frosch, Sports Director, (605) 331-4117, (email) Johna Thum, Special Events Director, (605) 331-4117, (email)

Address:

305 West 39th Street Sioux Falls, SD 57105 (See a map)

Miscellaneous Information

Does this agency accept court-ordered community service?
	Yes
Does this agency accept youth volunteers?
	Yes
What is the minimum age to volunteer?
	16
What is the standard minimum age requirement for youth volunteers?
	16
Does this agency accept corporate group volunteers?
	Yes
Do you have volunteer opportunities for families?
	Yes
Does your agency accept youth groups that are supervised by adults?
	Yes