Students At A.C.Kiefer In Wausau Participate In Special Olympics Pilot Program

Updated: 7:24 PM May 28, 2009

The Special Olympics of Wisconsin is hoping students in Wausau will be the key ingredient for their Young Athletes Program. Students at A.C.Kiefer are the first in the state to use the program which introduces all children ages 2 to 7 years old.. to sports.

Posted: 5:17 PM May 28, 2009
Reporter: Margo Spann
Email Address: margo.spann@wsaw.com

Wausau Selected as Pilot Site for Special Olympics Program

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The Special Olympics of Wisconsin is hoping students in Wausau will be the key ingredient for their Young Athletes Program.

Students at A.C.Kiefer are the first in the state to use the program which introduces all children ages 2 to 7 years old.. to sports.

Jennifer O'Brien, Director of Field Services for Special Olympics of Wisconsin says they are testing a program created by Special Olympics to teach all children basic skills used in sports.

"This is one of seven pilot sites we have this is our first up and running in Wisconsin and I think it went really well today."

O'Brien says they provided the basic structure and equipment for 10 activity stations.

The activities are designed so children with special needs can participate alongside their peers.

One of the parent volunteers, Erin Radke says the 200 children went through eight weeks of training to prepare for today.

"Just basic ball skills running playing with classmates, just basically everything they are going to need as they grow up. "

Each of the students received a ribbon and stickers for participating, but O'Brien says the true reward is giving all children the courage to try sports and challenge others to be accepting of all people.

"We're hoping that the children who participated will be athletes and we're hoping the others will be volunteers."

The Special Olympics is hoping to start programs like this one - not just in the U.S... but all over the world.

For more information on A.C.Kiefer or the Special Olympics Young Athletes Program, click on the links below.

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