2022 State Summer Games!

2022 Special Olympics Maine Summer Games
June 11, 2022
University of Maine
Orono, ME

Registration Deadline – May 11th 

We are so excited to welcome everyone back to Orono for Summer Games! After 2 years without a Summer Games there have been some notable changes please read the following information carefully.

Schedule – Summer Games Saturday Schedule 2022
Saturday, June 11: Bocce, Track and Field, Wheelchair and Walking Events, Healthy Athlete’s Screenings

Covid-19 Protocols
In addition to the protocols that Special Olympics Maine must follow from our larger governing body, Special Olympics North America, we must also follow the University’s protocols. Below are the University of Maine’s Covid-19 protocols that must be followed.

  • In accordance with the University of Maine’s Covid-19 protocols all persons attending Summer Games will need to provide proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test, taken within 72 hours of the games.
    • Proof of Vaccination must be sent to Special Olympics Maine electronically prior to the May 11th Registration Deadline. (This will help Special Olympics Maine with logistical planning of the evet.
      • Proof of Vaccination can be scanned and emailed directly to Mike Littlefield (MikeL@somaine.org)
    • Negative Covid-19 test results information will be released prior to the event.

Changes in 2022

  • Candlepin Bowling will become a stand-alone sport! Candlepin bowling has become overwhelmingly popular, to give athletes the best bowling experience we have decided to give it the attention it deserves as a stand-alone sport. The season will begin in late fall/early winter and Special Olympics Maine will be offering 2 Regional Competitions!

Registration Specific Information

Athletes: need to have participated in a 2022 Spring Games in order to receive a qualifying time for Summer Games. As an exception for this year if athletes were unable to participate in Spring Games you may submit a practice score as qualifying time

Head of Delegation (HOD): is responsible for the entire delegation including; athletes, unified partners, head coaches and assistant coaches. This person will send and receive pertinent information to and from Special Olympics Maine regarding; registration forms, athlete unified partner and coach requirements.

Head Coach: Every delegation must assign one certified head coach for every sport that they have athletes competing in. This person is responsible for the entire sports team including; athletes, unified partners and assistant coaches. Head coaches will be the liaison between their sports team and SOME. If you have a team competing in any Unified Sports event your head coach must be certified in Level 2 Coaching Unified Sports. Head Coaches must be certified through Special Olympics Maine in their assigned sport. To become a certified Head Coach, a Coach must attend a Coach’s Training School in the sport(s) they coach. Coaches Trainings can be found on our events page by clicking here.

Assistant Coaches: Anyone with your delegation who is not registering as an SO Athlete, Unified Partner, Head of Delegation or Head Coach. Assistant Coaches will include any other support staff or chaperones.

Unified Partners: any one registering to participate in Unified Sports as a Unified Partner.

Sports Offered in 2022
Athletics Track and Field and Bocce. Each sport offers both traditional and unified sports events. Sport Rules and Regulations can be found by going to each sport specific link below:

Athletics Registration Information

  • Athletes competing in Athletics Track and Field Events can register for up to 3 Athletics events and the 4x100M Relay. See event registration parameters below:
    • Athletes MAY NOT enter in any Wheelchair Events, 10M Assisted Walk or 25M Walk
    • Athletes MAY NOT enter in both the 100M and 100M Walk
    • Athletes MAY NOT enter in both Softball Throw and Shot Put
    • Athletes MAY NOT enter in both Running Long Jump and Standing Long Jump
    • Athletes entering the Running Long Jump must have a minimum qualifying score of 1 meter
    • Athletes competing in the 50M Dash MAY ONLY enter into 100M or 100M Walk plus Field Events
    • Athletes competing in the 400M, 800M and/or Relay MAY NOT enter Bocce or Unified Bocce
  • Athletes competing in Wheelchair Events, 10M Assisted Walk, 25M Walk and Category 1 Softball Throw can register for up to 3 Athletics events. See event registration parameters below:
    • Athletes MAY NOT enter in any Athletics Track and Field Events
    • Athletes MAY NOT enter in both walks and wheelchair events
    • Athletes MAY NOT enter in both motorized and non-motorized wheelchair events
    • 25M walkers CAN register for the 100M Walk
  • 2 Softball Throw events are offered and your athlete may enter only 1. Category 1 Softball Throw is designed only for athletes entering either wheelchair or developmental (10M and 25M walks). All other Softball competitors should enter the Category 2 Softball Throw.
  • In accordance with the Official S.O. Summer Sports Rules/Athletics: #4 General Rules for Wheelchair Events; rule C-5 states: “Athletes shall not be pushed, pulled or otherwise assisted during these events.” This rule pertains to ANY wheelchair event list, manual or motorized, and this will be strictly enforced to maintain fairness and safety for all athletes.
  • All events must be submitted with a qualifying score. If you have not participated in a Spring Game yet you may submit a practice score and update us with your Spring Games scores after you have competed.

Bocce Registration Information

  • Teams will be made up of 4 people
  • Athletes can only complete in Bocce or Unified Bocce, not both.
  • Unified Bocce Teams must consist of 2 athletes and 2 unified partners
  • All teams are required to submit qualifying scores.
  • Bocce athletes CANNOT compete in 400M, 800M and Mile Run

Required Paperwork

  • Head of Delegation, Head Coaches, Unified Partners and Assistant Coaches required paperwork:
    • A cleared Background Check (18+), Volunteer ‘A’ Registration Form and Release, Protective Behaviors certification and Concussion Awareness and Safety certification, SOMaine COVID-19 Participant Code of Conduct and Risk Form, Communicable Disease Release of Liability Waiver, COVID-19 Supplemental Form, Proof of Vaccination or negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours of Summer Games.
    • All forms can be found by clicking here
    • Please have required paperwork and courses completed by May 11th in order to properly register for the 2022 Summer Games. The Volunteer ‘A’ Registration Form and Release, Protective Behaviors certification and Concussion Awareness and Safety certification remain current for three years.
    • Coach’s Training Schools will continue to be organized throughout the year. You can check for upcoming coach’s trainings by clicking here. Contact Ian Frank at ianf@somaine.org with coaches training questions.
  • Athlete required paperwork:
    • Current Athlete Medical and Registration, Athlete Release, SOMaine COVID-19 Participant Code of Conduct and Risk Form, Communicable Disease Release of Liability Waiver, COVID-19 Supplemental Form, Proof of Vaccination or negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours of Summer Games.
    • All forms can be found by clicking here
  • Please have required paperwork completed by May 11th in order to properly register for the 2022 Summer Games. Medicals remain current for three years and the release and other forms do not expire.

How to Register

  • Registration deadline is May 11.
  • Registration forms are Google Forms which are completed online. At any point during the registration process you may hit the back button and go back to review or edit the information you’ve completed. Once the forms are completed and you’ve hit ‘submit’ the HOD and Head coach will receive an email with PDF confirmation of the information you submitted. Changes to your registration can be made until Friday, May 27.

The following forms are required for each group registering

  • Delegation Registration Form – You will need the following information to complete Delegation Registration process:

Additional Registration Forms to fill out as needed

Additional Summer Games Offerings:

Summer Games Raffle Tickets

Unified Champion Schools

  • Unified Champion Schools will be offering two Unified Sport opportunities, the 4x100M Relay and Bocce. Existing and new Unified Champion Schools are welcome to participate in both Unified Sport opportunities. If you are a school not yet involved in Unified Champion Schools®, and you would like more information, contact Ian Frank at IanF@somaine.org.

Healthy Athletes

  • We will once again offer free professional screenings to athletes during the games. Screenings will include:
    • Fun Fitness – Physical Therapist will be checking athletes’ physical fitness health.
    • Special Smiles – Dentists will be checking athletes’ teeth.
    • Fit Feet- Podiatrists will be checking athletes’ feet, ankles and proper shoes/socks.

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Contact Mike Littlefield at mikel@somaine.org or 207-879-0489, if you would like to be a 2022 Summer Games Volunteer.

General Reminders

  • May 11th is the registration deadline, if you miss this date we cannot guarantee housing.
  • You must provide times and distances when required or we cannot place athletes in the events selected.
  • Distances must be recorded in metric measurements, not feet and inches.
  • Questions? Please call us at 879-0489.