The Belvidere Park District (BPD) Special Recreation participates in Special Olympics region and state competitions. Prior to competitions, athletes practice weekly at a BPD location for a minimum of 8 weeks per sport season. The BPD offers sports participation in the following ten sports: Swimming, Bocce, Track & Field, Golf Skills, Softball, Bowling, Flag Football, Volleyball, Basketball, and Snowshoe.

If you have questions about Special Olympics programming, contact Gina Ruvalcaba, Special Olympics Athletic Director (SOAD), at 815-547-5711 x602 or gruvalcaba@belviderepark.org.

Click here for the 2025 – 2026 Athlete/Parent Handbook.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS ELIGIBILITY STATEMENT

Special Olympics (SO) training and competition is open to every person with intellectual disabilities, 8 years and older.  All athletes must have the following completed before participation:

• Current SO Athlete Consent Form. This form only needs to be completed one time for the duration of participation, unless guardianship changes.
• Current Athlete Medical Form on file with SO Illinois and the Belvidere Park District. This document is completed by an athlete/guardian and doctor every 3 years.  This document must be current through the state level of competition for each sport, prior to registration.
• Complete ePACT – personal information on athlete and required by BPD Special Recreation. Once registered for a sport, you will automatically receive an email with an invitation to edit the information on ePACT.
• Attend the annual Athlete/Parent Meeting each year, as it will include pertinent information for the upcoming season. If you are not able to attend, you must contact the SOAD.  2024 Parent Meeting Date:  September 10, 2024 – 6:15 – 7:15pm at the Special Recreation Facility, 6581 Revlon Dr.

Click on preferred language for a digital copy of the Consent Form (English) (Spanish) and/or Athlete Medical Form (English) (Spanish).

To determine if an Athlete Medical Form is current:

• use the use the Athlete Lookup Tool
• contact your agency SOAD,
• or contact your contact your SO Region Office

Current SPECIAL OLYMPICS Sports & Activities

SO Bocce

Join us for the Italian sport of Bocce! Athletes can compete in singles or doubles. Doubles teams will be decided on the first night of practice. The Region A tournament is tentatively scheduled for April 25th. In the event of inclement weather, practices will be held indoors at the Special Recreation Facility (GR). Min/Max: 6/20 • Location: Rivers Edge Recreation Center • Transportation: NONE; provide to/from games & tournament • Register by: February 27

REGISTER HERE

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SO Track & Field

Lace up those shoes and join us for track & field. Athletes & coaches will determine which events an athlete will excel in and train in for Spring Games. The tournament will be held on Saturday, May 2nd (tentative) at Harlem High School. Athletes who receive a gold medal at Spring Games advance to the State Competition at ISU in June. Min/Max: 10/30 • Location: Rivers Edge Recreation Center • Transportation: NONE; provide to/from games & tournament • Register by: March 5

REGISTER HERE