The Hopewell Valley YMCA is proud to run programs for special needs athletes in Mercer County through Special Olympics New Jersey.

Each season the Hopewell Valley YMCA will take part in a SONJ Competitive sponsored event as well as developmental and unified programs. Below you will find current events available for registration.

Eligibility requirements: Individuals with intellectual disabilities must meet the required SONJ eligibility requirements and MUST have a valid SONJ medical. Please refer to the Special Olympics New Jersey website, www.sonj.org, for a full description of requirements. All athletes must be able to work on a 4:1 ratio. Unfortunately, there are no accommodations for anyone requiring one to one assistance. Sports tournaments often require teams to stay overnight.

Membership to the Hopewell Valley YMCA is not required for participation. Spaces are filled on a first come, first serve basis. To make sure your child has a spot on the team, please make sure register prior to the registration deadline. For general questions concerning Special Olympics, contact Heather O’Connell or Daniel Williams.

Below you will find a listing of the upcoming HVYMCA-sponsored SONJ events.

 

SONJ Active Sports Programs

The Hopewell Valley YMCA is proud to run FREE programs for special needs athletes in Mercer County through Special Olympics NJ.  Volunteers and Coaches are always welcome. All practices are mandatory to participate in the SONJ events.

 

Swimming – Ages 8 +

The SONJ swimming program will be located at The Pennington School. Athletes must be able to swim and participate within a competition pool. Athletes should come dressed for practice each day.

Athletes are required to swim 25M independently and without any assistive devices.
All medical & waiver forms must be current.

Dates: December 12, 2022 – June 4, 2023

When: Sundays

Location: The Pennington School Pool

Postponed until January

 

REGISTER NOW

 

Bowling – Ages 6 +

Bowling will be held at Slocum’s in Ewing. A parent meeting will be held on the first night.

The bowling program is for athletes who have expressed interest in the program. Athletes will practice once a week to work on their skills and grow as an athlete.

Game scores will be kept and submitted to SONJ. Athletes who meet the criteria will have the opportunity to compete at local competitions against other athletes throughout New Jersey.

Dates: November 19, 2022 – April 7, 2023

When: Saturdays

Location: Slocum’s Bowling

 

REGISTER NOW

 

Upcoming Sports

 

(SPRING) Tennis/Track & Field/Bocce – Ages 6 +

The SONJ program will be offering TENNIS,TRACK & FIELD, and BOCCE for the Spring 2021 season.

Dates: March 2022 – June 2022

When: Sundays

Location: Timberlane and YMCA Office

Time: 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm

 

Register today for the program of your choice!

 

(FALL) Strider/Cycling – Ages 6 +

Strider Balance Bikes are bikes without pedals. Striders help athletes learn balance, coordination, and steering without the fear of falling. The Strider racecourse has ramps and the fun of riding a strider is that it includes learning how to ride over obstacles. It helps balance, and assists with the understanding of how to control the bile, and its FUN!

 

September 12 – October 31, 2022

Mondays: 5:45 pm – 6:30 pm

Toll Gate Grammar Bus Loop

275 South Main St, Pennington, NJ 08534

 

 

 

All athletes need to complete the SONJ COVID risk waiver, prior to participation in the strider/cycling program.
Athletes will be required to arrive with a mask on.
Hand sanitizer will be provided and must be used at the start and finish of practice.
All athletes must maintain a 6-foot distance from each other and coaches.
Parents may not congregate at practice.
There is one cycling competition this year and it will be on October 24th at Skillman Park.
There will be events for Strider.
All athletes will need to complete the health Check on TeamSnap prior to arrival and then complete the in-person screening as per SONJ.
If your athlete’s medical is due to expire at any time during cycling, visit https://medform.specialolympics.org/us to complete a new participation packet.

 

 

 

 

 

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Special Olympics Bowling – Ages 6 +

Bowling will be held at Slocum’s in Ewing. A parent meeting will be held on the first night. The bowling program is a developmental and team program. Athletes will practice once a week to work on their skills and growth as an athlete. Game scores will be kept and submitted to SONJ. Athletes who meet the criteria will have the opportunity to compete at local competitions against other athletes throughout New Jersey.