2015 Fall Festival Volunteer Orientation Get ready for an UNDERSEA ADVENTURE

To provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. To give continuing opportunities to: Develop physical fitness Demonstrate courage Experience joy “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

1960’s - Eunice Kennedy Shriver started a day camp for individuals with intellectual disabilities in her own backyard First International Games were held in Chicago, IL where 1,000 athletes participated. Today – Over 4.2 million athletes compete in over 70,000 competitions around the globe!

Special Olympics has a direct and positive effect on the self-image of participating athletes and their ability to function in a social setting. Special Olympics athletes perform better at school, work and home the longer they participate in the program.

Villanova University has been the official host of the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Fall State Games for 26 years. The Special Olympics Fall Festival at Villanova is currently the largest student-run Special Olympics event in the world.

This event would not be possible without our amazing volunteers. Let’s explore the roles of our volunteers throughout the weekend.

Competition Bocce Long Distance Running Power Lifting Roller Skating Soccer Volleyball Healthy Athletes Security Food Medical Housing

Competition volunteers cheer on the athletes, keep score and time, act as flag/line judges and fulfill any necessary sport-specific roles.

Since officially launching in 1997 as a Special Olympics program, Healthy Athletes has grown to provide a multitude of health screenings for Special Olympics athletes. Healthy Athletes strives to improve athletes’ ability to train and compete in Special Olympics competitions. These volunteers help to run a health clinic on Saturday during Fall Festival.

Special Olympics is looking for Security volunteers who are dependable and flexible with time and duties. CPR certification is preferable. Volunteers will be responsible for monitoring competition for unsafe situations and work closely with Medical volunteers to ensure the safety and well-being of all athletes.

Each year, we provide to over 1,500 athletes and guests. Some of the possible volunteering options include serving food and checking credentials at the entrance of the dining halls. This is a great opportunity to interact with the athletes outside of competition.

The medical volunteer plays an important role in ensuring the safety of the athletes at the Fall Festival. Medical volunteers are stationed at each competition venue and are responsible for attending to minor injuries an athletes sustains, which typically includes administering bandages and ice packs for cuts or bruises. Medical volunteers are also expected to notify the medical committee via radio of any incidents of major injury so that EMS support can be dispatched. Medical volunteers are required to be CPR certified.

Housing needs volunteers over the course of the weekend. We need two types of volunteers for all of the hotels on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night: medical and security. Security volunteers will conduct patrols throughout the night and ensure that the athletes are safe, while medical volunteers are expected to be CPR certified. Volunteers will get free rooming, snacks and a volunteer t-shirt as well as transportation to and from their hotels. Also, volunteers can commit to one, two or all three nights.

Volunteer check-in is located outside the Jake Nevin Field House, which is adjacent to the Pavilion and the football stadium. We will be stationed inside a tent right outside Jake Nevin’s doors. You will be able to spot our tent from Lancaster Avenue!

A form of ID is required to volunteer Volunteers under the age of 16 must accompanied by an adult Meal vouchers will be provided to off-campus volunteers staying for more than 5 hours You will also be required to fill out two waivers for the weekend… Please bring your insurance information !

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Dive in as athletes, emerge as champions!