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2023 OSO Bowling Signups 

Bowling Season (For all athletes currently registered with Oxford Special Olympics) is starting TUESDAY September 26, 2023 and we have electronic signup forms (see link below).

(Unified Partners must have UNIFIED FORMS and CLASS “A” Forms on file 
If you plan on competing, please select COMPETITION
)

PRACTICE LOCATION –

**** LAKEWOOD LANES 694 Lakewood Road, Waterbury, CT 06704 ****

(If you are NEW to OSO or haven’t trained with Oxford Special Olympics, then please send an email to LarryD@OxfordSO.org before signing up)

If you are already a part of Oxford Special Olympics then Please click the following link to signup for bowling:

https://bit.ly/2023OSOBowling (THE LAST DAY TO SIGNUP IS FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22)

If you don’t sign up using this form, YOU WON’T BE ELIGIBLE TO BOWL.

ALL Athlete and Volunteer Forms must be up to date and on file BEFORE Thursday September 21, 2023 (You will be unable to train and ineligible for competition until your forms are up to date and on file).

Bowling Competition Weekend November 18 & 19, 2023 (Individual Athletes on one day and Unified teams on the other – which day we will be competing is not known at this time)

(WE DO NOT KNOW which venue we will be competing at as of this time)

That includes Volunteers and Family members.

If you have not filled out the forms or are unsure, please contact Mo (MomBlees@OxfordSO.org) or Larry (LarryD@OxfordSO.org) to find out.

DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE FOR FORMS, If your forms are expired (athletes, partners and volunteers) you will NOT BE ABLE TO BOWL!)

Practice is Every TUESDAY from September 26 thru November 14, 2023 at 6:15 pm

(THERE WILL BE NO BOWLING ON HALLOWEEN)

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In lieu of everyone paying to bowl, we are asking EACH bowler to bring something for the Food Bank to EVERY practice. (Please NO EXPIRED FOODS)

Oxford Special Olympics pays $12.00 for every bowler each week, so we are asking you ALL to “pay it forward” and bring items for the food bank.

We can all make a difference if we work together.

Some suggestions:

  • Cereal, instant oatmeal, boxed potatoes
  • Canned potatoes, canned vegetables (any kind), canned fruit (avoid glass!)
  • Tuna fish, baked beans, peanut butter
  • Progresso or Chunky canned soup, canned stew or chili
  • Soap, shampoo, conditioner
  • Healthy snacks (granola bars, nuts, dried fruit)
  • Pasta, pasta sauce, mac ‘n cheese
  • Ketchup, mustard, relish, mayo
  • Cake mix, frosting
  • Paper towels, toilet paper
  • Toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, shaving cream
  • Local supermarket gift cards!

Together we can make a difference in the lives of local families.


2023 Winter Sports Signups (Alpine, Snowshoeing & Cross Country)

It’s been a VERY long time since we have trained for Winter Sports, and we are getting ready to start up again in January 2023 – Fridays and Sundays during January and February are our days to practice – Sunday for Alpine Skiing and Friday for Snowshoeing / Cross Country.

So, it’s time to register for 2023 Winter Sports Season (Alpine Skiing / Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing), we have to let Special Olympics CT know how many we will have training and competing. 

Our Alpine sports registration is due to the State office by November 30, so that gives us about 3 weeks to gather all of the information.

  • Alpine Practices will be starting on Sunday January 8, 2023 at Powder Ridge Mountain – please check our calendar of events for any updates of dates and times (www.OxfordSO.org). 
  • Snowshoe/Cross Country practices will be starting on Friday, January 6, 2023 at Oxford Center School – please check our calendar of events for any updates of dates and times (www.OxfordSO.org). 

2023 Special Olympics CT Winter Games will be held March 4 & 5 2023. 

Competition will be ONLY ONE DAY – We don’t know which day yet!

If you will not be available that weekend or are unable to make either of those days, then you should select “TRAINING ONLY”

THERE IS NO STAYING OVER THIS YEAR! 

ONE DAY ONLY 

NO DANCE, 

NO HOTEL

Unified Partners and coaches please sign up also, so we are sure we have enough help and that you will be registered

** CERTIFIED COACHES: if you plan on helping at competition, please select “COMPETING” on the registration forms.      

Practices will be held on Sunday evenings at Powder Ridge. (CHECK the OSO CALENDAR IN DECEMBER FOR UPDATES)  

(Depending on how many slots/tickets we are allotted – If you are signing up for “Training Only” there is NO GUARANTEE that you will be allowed to train.)       

You may train in multiple sports, but since the competition is on the same weekend, you will have to choose ONLY 1 sport to compete in. 

If you would like to train in multiple sports then you will need to fill out both forms if that is the case.

Please select the sport you will be training/competing in and click the proper link below:

1)      Alpine ->  https://bit.ly/2023OSOAlpine (This form NEEDS to be filled out by Tuesday November 30th – there will be NO LATE ENTRIES)

2)      Snowshoe/X Country ->  https://bit.ly/2023OSOWinterSports

Can’t hurt to say this again… Depending on the number of Slots/Lift Tickets we are allotted, there is no guarantee that you will be allowed to “TRAIN ONLY” in Alpine. (We also need to make sure we have enough coaches for each sport.)

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.


2022 OSO Holiday Party Registration

Save the date and register for the 2022 OSO Holiday Party. 

(YOU MUST BE REGISTERED IN ORDER TO ATTEND)

2022 Holiday Party at Heritage Hotel – THURSDAY December 8, 2022 at 6:30 pm

You must register by Wednesday, November 30, 2022

(Registration will close Tuesday 11/30/2022 around midnight (or earlier if we reach the maximum capacity of 150), so please sign up early)

We will be limiting attendance to ACTIVE members of Oxford Special Olympics and their immediate families. “Active” members have trained, competed or volunteered with Oxford Special Olympics within the past season(s).

There will be no charge to attend, but it will cost approximately $50 per person.  Please consider your sign up as a commitment to attend, as we will be responsible for the cost regardless, so please only register if you are positive that you can attend. (If you register and then realize you cannot attend, please let us know as soon as possible.)

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

We are very fortunate to have found a benefactor 

(American Lecithin Company http://www.AmericanLecithin.us ) 

and we would like to continue our theme of “PAY IT FORWARD”, 

so instead of charging everyone who is attending, 

we would like to ask you to bring an UNWRAPPED TOY for “Toys for Tots” 

(Toys for ages 10+ are greatly appreciated).

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

THIS IS A SEMI-FORMAL Party and APPROPRIATE attire is expected.

NO JEANS ALLOWED! 

There will be a Photo Booth, Music, Buffet Dinner and Dessert! (Possibly even a “visitor” from the North Pole!)

Remember: EVERY PERSON – INCLUDING FAMILY MEMBER or STAFF – NEEDS TO FILL OUT THIS FORM AND BE REGISTERED in advance to enter the event. 

If you are not registered, then you will be unable to come to the party.

We have created an online signup form for our holiday party – Please fill out the form for EACH PERSON that will be attending the Oxford Special Olympics Holiday Party.

You should receive an email confirmation after submitting the form (to the email address you enter on the form). (Check your junk mail if you don’t receive it)
https://bit.ly/2022OSOHolidayParty


2022 OSO Golf & Croquet practice

The start date for the 2022 Golf and Croquet season is set for Tuesday July 12, 2022 at Oxford Greens Golf Course

Address99 Country Club Dr #1188, Oxford, CT 06478.

You MUST be preregistered using our online signup sheet (See Below) – that includes Unified Partners and Coaches/Volunteers. Even if you are only coming for “Training Only”, please use the online signup form, so that we will know how many participants we will have and can try to have enough volunteers. We will really need age appropriate Unified Partners.

If you don’t sign up using this form then you will not be eligible for COMPETITION – please note, you will receive a confirmation email with all of your responses, please double check.

Here is the link to register – Click on this Link and fill out the form to sign up for Golf or Croquet: http://bit.ly/2022OSOGolfCroquet  

You should receive a confirmation email with your responses to the form.

If you plan on attending the practices …. Please take the time to register online, Please select “TRAINING ONLY” if you do not plan to go to competition. 

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE SIGNUP FORM BEFORE CLICKING SUBMIT!


IF YOU DO NOT HAVE GOLF EQUIPMENT, PLEASE LET US KNOW VIA EMAIL, SO WE CAN TRY TO GET YOU SOME.

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WHAT TO WEAR: A collared shirt, dress shorts and sneakers or golf shoes with no metal spikes.  NO TEE SHIRTS AND NO JEANS ALLOWED ON GOLF COURSE!! 

RULES: Common sense prevails – No shouting or loud talking in vicinity of practice greens or tees – Golf courses are places that are typically quiet for the concentration of the participants – 

No swinging of golf clubs off of the practice tees or without the direction of your coach. Listen to your coach!! 

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Sports

  1. Oxford Special Olympics will be training in two sports this season – Golf and Croquet Competition will be at the “2022 Special Olympics Connecticut Fall Sports Festival”. 
  • Golf Competition will be held at Sleeping Giant in Hamden on SUNDAY September 11, 2022. 
  • Croquet competition will be held at Ocean House in RHODE ISLAND either Saturday or Sunday September 17 air 18, 2022 (we will find out which day we compete at a later time). There will be a Unified Croquet Qualifier on Saturday August 20, 2022. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION – CROQUET

  • FYI: Croquet competition is held OUT OF STATE IN RHODE ISLAND
  • It is a UNIFIED EVENT, which means athletes will be paired with a Unified Partner of equal ability and age. We will need unified partners to sign up for competition in order to form teams.
  • If we do not have partners of similar age and ability, then athletes will be able to train, but may not go to competition.
  • Special Olympics CT gives each local program an “allotment” of how many teams we are allowed to bring to competition, the last time we competed, we only had 8 teams, which means only 8 athletes were allowed to participate in competition along with 8 partners. We do not know the exact number that we will be able to bring this year, so it is very important to sign up for croquet competition EARLY.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION – GOLF

  • IF YOU DO NOT HAVE GOLF EQUIPMENT, PLEASE LET US KNOW VIA EMAIL, SO WE CAN TRY TO GET YOU SOME.
  • Athletes will be signing up for Individual Skills competition, unless they have previously competed in “Unified Alternate Shot”. In order to be considered for Unified Competition the following rule shall apply (and is at the discretion of the Head Coaches) Alternate Shot Golf with a Unified Partner: 
  1. The standard for eligibility is for an athlete and Unified partner to have completed an Individual Skills Competition with a total score of at least 60 points. In addition, the athlete should score 10 points or more in at least four out of the six skills, with one of the four scores of 10 being in either the wood or iron shot. The athlete should also achieve a minimum of five points in the two skills that total less than 10. If the athlete is scoring above 100 in the ISC (minus the bunker shot), it is recommended that they begin participating in Level 2 competitions.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

Larry Doherty

Volunteer Sports Coordinator – Oxford Special Olympics


2022 OSO Spring/Summer Signup

Hello All,

After a long hiatus of no in-person training, we will be starting up our Spring/Summer training with 2 outdoor sports.

Track & Field will be starting on Tuesdays beginning next Tuesday 4/12/22 6:00 pm at Oxford High School

Cycling will be starting on Thursdays beginning next Thursday 4/14/22 6:15 pm at Oxford Senior Center

Please use the following Signup sheet if you plan on attending the practices – VERY IMPORTANT!!!

https://bit.ly/2022OSOSummerSports

You should receive an email confirmation after you submit the form.

Current Sports – Cycling / Track & Field

Oxford Special Olympics will be training in two (2) sports this Spring – Cycling and Track and Field.

Competition is EXPECTED to be at the Special Olympics Connecticut Summer Games on June 3rd or 4th, 2022. (We are not sure of where or when – or EVEN “IF” – there will be competition, so we are playing everything “by ear” until we find out for sure)

All athletes, partners and volunteers will need their forms up to date; if you are new to Oxford, please make sure you have a VALID Medical form signed by a doctor AND a release form.

All athletes, partners and volunteers will need their forms up to date; if you are new to Oxford, please make sure you have a VALID Medical form signed by a doctor AND a release form.

Links to MANDATORY Forms on Special Olympics CT website:

Athlete Medical: https://www.soct.org/files/2716/4148/4992/ATHLETE_MEDCIAL.pdf
ADULT Athlete Release: https://www.soct.org/files/5014/0087/4516/ATHLETE_RELEASE-ADULT.pdf
MINOR Athlete Release: https://www.soct.org/files/3914/2418/6265/ATHLETE_RELEASE-_MINOR.pdf

Volunteers also need updated Volunteer and Unified Partner Forms.
All Forms can be found on the Special Olympics website: https://www.soct.org/forms/

Thanks,

Larry Doherty


Return to Activities 2021 (and Pizza/Ice Cream Social)

Hello Everyone,It’s been a while… here’s hoping you are all healthy and keeping busy.

We will be returning to activity next week – and will be hosting a Pizza/Ice Cream Social NEXT Friday July 9 starting at 6:00pm

Riverside Firehouse
151 Coppermine Road
Oxford, CT 06478

*** You must already be registered with Oxford Special Olympics in order to join us at this event. *** (Forms are available on our website OxfordSO.org and Special Olympics CT website soct.org )

We do need you to RSVP so we know how much to order – and we also need you to fill out an online survey.

If you do not fill out the survey then please do not RSVP to the social, as we need to know some pertinent information that is included in the survey.

AGAIN, you MUST fill out the online survey before you RSVP to the social.
OSO Return To Activity 2021 Survey https://bit.ly/OSO2021ReturnSurvey

Everyone Attending (Including Athletes, Family members, staff, Volunteers) any and all activities must fill out a Covid-19 Waiver and Release form for Special Olympics CT – here is the link: http://oxfordso.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/COVID-19-Waiver-fillable.pdf

This waiver form is MANDATORY and will be filed with Special Olympics CT – if you do not fill it out, you are not eligible to attend any events.


Please fill it out and bring it with you to the social (we will have copies for anyone who FORGETS to fill it out.
Going forward, we will be following Special Olympics CT and CDC guidelines for all events

OSO Current Plan- Oxford Special Olympics will be doing TRAINING ONLY for the next few months – we will revisit this in September to see how our program will proceed after that.We will not be following the traditional schedule for organized sports (that means No Golf and No Croquet)

We would like to add some extra activities like walking/hiking which can be done on weekends, but No schedule has been set yet!