The 28th Annual Special Olympics Camp will be held on August 8-17, 2008. Teens age 16-19 are encouraged to apply as coaches for this life-changing experience.
Special Olympics
Special Olympic Coaches
Every summer 30-40 teens from across the Antiochian Archdiocese volunteer ten days of their summer vacation to serve the athletes of Pennsylvania Special Olympics.
Special Olympics Camp
August 8-17, 2008
Click here to download an application to be a SOYO coach.
Special Olympics Awareness Day
October 21, 2007
Every year the teens of SOYO, the youth movement of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, host and sponsor a one week camp for the athletes of Special Olympics Pennsylvania at the Antiochian Village. To fulfill this ministry the teens must raise nearly $50,000. To do this His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP has proclaimed the third Sunday of October as Special Olympics Awareness Day. On this Sunday, October 21, 2007, the teens ask for your support and generosity as the collect the necessary donations to realize this vital ministry.
Click here to download materials for Special Olympics Awareness Day!
A letter written by Michelle Nicola, a Teen SOYO Special Olympics Coach
“Let me win but if I can not win, let me be brave in the attempt.” At the Special Olympics Pennsylvania training camp, this is what someone would hear the athletes and coaches shouting as they played their sports and ate their meals. This motto means a lot to me because for the past two summers I have been a volunteer coach at a Special Olympics training camp in Pennsylvania .
The first time I traveled to Special Olympics was in the summer of 2004. During the first days of training I was scared, did not know anyone, and wanted to come home. I knew I needed to stay because I had made a commitment to myself, to the coaches, and to the athletes. It is a good thing I stayed because it turned out to be one of the greatest weeks of my life. No education or credentials could have taught me the life lessons I learned while at camp. I found a patience and sense of determination in myself that I never knew existed. The athletes amazed me each day with their enthusiasm and pure hearts. Every morning I was greeted with a hug and smile from each athlete in my cabin and those on my team. If an athlete fell in soccer, they would get back up and got to the ball. Nothing could bring them down. As I coached that week teaching the fundamentals of basketball, I realized I was not the one doing the teaching; the athletes were teaching me how to live and love life. Each morning they woke up with a smile on their faces, excited and ready to embrace the day. As I stayed in cabins with the athletes I saw what a struggle it was to brush their teeth or put on a shirt, and I considered myself fortunate that I could do those everyday tasks. While taking care of my body was easy, taking care of my life was something I learned from the athletes. They live each day with such enthusiasm and never complain even with all the struggles they face. I saw so many scraped knees and hurt ankles, but I never once saw a broken spirit.
My experience at Special Olympics might be similar to what I will experience at college. When I first arrive, I may want to come home. However, all I have to do is recall my times at Special Olympics and I will regain the determination to succeed. Just like I owed it to myself, the coaches and athletes to be at camp, I owe it to myself, my family, and my peers to succeed in college. I have seen the struggles that people with mental and physical disabilities face and I have learned to treat them as equals. Through my experiences at Special Olympics, I will be able to teach others how to accept people with disabilities and discover abilities within themselves. Special Olympics was one of the most enriching experiences of my life. The lessons I learned will help motivate me to be a successful college student. The Special Olympics motto, “Let me win but if I can not win let me be brave in the attempt,” not only pertains to success in sports, but also success in life.
The 25th Anniversary Special Olympics Camp
Released September 1, 2005
Make a contribution to help support NAC Teen SOYO Special Olympic's Sports Camp by:
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Sending a check to:
NAC Teen SOYO Soecial Olympics
Department of Youth Ministry
PO Box 389
Westwood, MA 02090
Make check payable to "NAC Teen SOYO Special Olympics"
or
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Make a secure Online Contribution to NAC Teen SOYO Special Olympics
Special Olympics Awareness Day
Special Olympics Awareness Day
October 21, 2008
Click on the documents below to download and print.
The 25th Anniversary Special Olympics Camp
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BOLIVAR, PA -- As many of our teens head back to school, they are filled with memories they never thought to imagine. "Special Olympics is like a slice of heaven. Coming from the outside world, everything becomes so much simpler and straightforward. You see some truly special human beings - who are, by their genuine love for one another, true examples of Christianity" |
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Being enlightened by the innocence of Christ, who reflects so purely through the souls of these athletes, it is only fair to say that this years 25th Anniversary SOPA was and is in fact like a slice of heaven. The North American Council (NAC) of Teen SOYO led by Fr. Anthony Yazge, the priest of Terre Haute, Indian St. George, hosted the Multi-Sports Training Camp at the Antiochian Village Camp, located in Bolivar, PA, between August 14-20, 2005. With the largest attendence recorded, the 220 participants comprised of athletes, coaches, clinicians, camp committee and members of Teen SOYO. Over 100 visitors came to the Village to not only celebrate the 25th Anniversary and assist, but to reunite with friends made through this blessed program. |
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Throughout the Archdiocese, 32 teens dedicated their lives to the training and preparation that would fulfill the joys and expectations of these athletes and their local coaches. During this time, the teens also had a chance to celebrate the Feast of the Dormition with the camp's summer staff. The training not only focused on the fundamental skills of particular sports, but also equipt them in order to handle emergencies in case they should arise. On Sunday, the athletes and coaches arrived. The reuniting of old friends and the start of new relationships filled the air for the entire week. The field was covered with hugs and smiles. "I think I gave more hugs and high fives over the course of that week than the rest of my life combined. I'm looking forwards to next year, so I can show next year's new SOYO's the dedication last years veterans showed me." Dimitri Kouri, a member of the Teen SOYO. |
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Every morning the athletes trained in their primary sport. The sports comprised of track & field, soccer, basketball, golf, tennis, lifetime sports, softball, volleyball and aquatics. Accredited Special Olympic coaches, clinicians, were assisted by SOPA and SOYO coaches in order to help these athletes work on their skill development so that they may be prepared for competition throughout the year in their Special Olympic Events. |
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On Wednesday, the entire group of athletes and coaches took a trip to Idlewild Amusement Park and Soak Zone courtesy of the Teen SOYO and a special grant from the park. The coaches wore green t-shirts while the athletes wore bright orange t-shirts which helped the group easily find one another. This event gave the athletes and coaches time to really get to know one another and enjoy each others company. |
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While the days were primarily for sports, the evenings were for entertainment. To break the ice a little, they held Get Acquainted Night which was filled with games and skits casting non-other than our Teen SOYO. One evening also was kept for the Talent Show, this gave the athletes and coaches the time to share their individual talents with the entire group. The highly acclaimed new camp reality show, "Antiochian Idol" was also held. The object was to see who could be the next "Antiochian Idol". The participants consisted of coaches who were subject to dressing up in whatever theme their athletes wanted. |
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As the week came near to an end, Friday was competition day. By carrying in the Olympic torch, the Star Spangled Banner began to play through the speakers. They then recited the Special Olympic pledge which officially began the games,"Let me win, but if I can not win, let me be brave in the attempt." Throughout the day people were cheering for one another. Athletes pouring out their heart and every bit of energy in order to do their best. The day then concluded with the closing ceremonies and the specially minted 25th Anniversary Camp Medal, which was presented to all the athletes. |
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Every participant went home with custom designed camp items courtesy of the faithful of our Archdiocese, NAC Teen SOYO and people of Special Olympics Pennsylvania. Memories were shared, memories were made, and the memories of this week will last forever through cabin photos, a video produced by Teen SOYO and especially in the hearts of every participant. "When I went to The Special Olympics Camp I thought that I would change the life of an athlete, but the truth is the athletes changed my life. I really enjoyed this experience because it enabled me to look past my former stereotypes and interact with the amazing people that I met at Special Olympics." Thank You. Charles Dowd, a member of Teen SOYO. Friends were made, changing the lives of all who entered this blessed program. Living examples of Christ walked the fields of the Antiochian Village sharing their knowledge and morals with other fellow athletes and coaches. You can help prepare the NAC Teen SOYO for the 26th annual camp by making a donation to Teen SOYO, earmarked Special Olympics, through the Archdiocese website or on Sunday, October 16, 2005, when NAC Teen SOYO appeals for support on Special Olympics Awareness Day in each of our parishes. Applications for Teen SOYO coaches and volunteers will be posted on the Teen SOYO website by January 2006. Next year’s camp will be held August 13-19, 2006. NAC Teen SOYO thanks you in advance for your support. Expressions from our Teens- "The joy I felt in seeing just one athlete smile was Insurmountable. Witnessing the enthusiasm and determination of the athletes was unbelievable!", Reem Karkar. "I'm looking forwards to next year, so I can show next year's new SOYO's the dedication last years veterans showed me.", Dimitri Kouri. "You see some truly special human beings - who are, by their genuine love for one another, true examples of Christianity. Thanks again.", David Kurian.
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