Volunteer Playbook
On behalf of the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, thank you for your commitment to Special Olympics. I am honored to welcome you to the team of over 10,000 volunteers who will come together to make these Games possible.
In June, over 5,500 athletes & coaches, from the United States and the Caribbean, will arrive in Orlando to compete in the largest USA Games in history. They have worked hard to be selected to attend the USA Games and it is our responsibility to ensure they have the time of their lives. You play an important role in making this happen.
We don’t just say “Shine As One.” We live it. Every single person, including you, involved with the USA Games is making a huge impact in the lives of Special Olympics athletes, and we couldn’t do this without volunteers like you. Together, we Shine As One.
Joe Dzaluk
WELCOME VOLUNTEERS!
On behalf of the Special Olympics athletes, coaches, families, and staff we thank you for offering your time and support to the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games. Central Florida is honored to host the USA Games and we thank you for your dedication to such a historic event.
We are expecting nearly 5,500 athletes, coaches and chaperones, over 125,000 spectators and families to enjoy the week’s activities. As one of over 10,000 volunteers providing volunteer service, your time, support, and commitment provide the athletes with the opportunity to experience the fun and fulfillment of sports and competition. When you aren’t scheduled to work, we invite you to become a spectator, and cheer the athletes’ dedication and success!
This volunteer playbook will supply you with the necessary information to ensure that your experience is a rewarding one! Please take time to review the individual venue information and forward any questions to our Volunteer inbox.: Volunteers@2022USAGames.org if a general volunteer; groupvolunteers@2022USAGames.org if a Partner or Group Volunteer; MedHealthVolunteers@2022USAGames.org if a Medical and Health Volunteer.
Thank you for your time, effort, and support. Without you, the games would not be possible and hopefully you will leave with new friends, great memories and greater appreciation for Special Olympics and these incredible athletes.
Expectation of Volunteers
- The minimum criteria to be a volunteer
- 15 years of age.
- Special Olympics asks that you volunteer at least 2 shifts if possible.
- Registrations are online at 2022specialolympics.org
- Certain volunteer positions require selection and previous training/certification.
- All volunteers are strongly encouraged to attend the Orientation Session on May 14, 2022.
- All volunteers will receive an email notification for online volunteer training and are encouraged to complete it no later than May 31, 2022.
- Credential, T-shirt and Games items pick-up will take place at the following date and times.May 14th 7:30am-10:00am: Volunteer Orientation Session at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Arena.
- May 14th 7:30am-10:00am: Volunteer Orientation Session at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Arena
- May 28th & 29th 9:00am-4:00pm: Lowe and Behold Florist & Events 4490 34th Street, Orlando 9:00am-4:00pm
- June 1st & 2nd 4:00pm-7:00pm and June 3 3:00pm-7:00pm: St. Luke’s United Methodist Church 4851 S. Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando
- Credentials, t-shirts and Games items will not be available at the various Sports and Events Venues.
- Volunteers must bring a government issued photo ID to claim credentials/items. Students without a government issued ID can provide a valid student ID.
- Each volunteer must pick up their own items.
- For out-of-town volunteers arriving after June 5th only, you may pick-up your items at the Volunteer Check-in Tent in the Touchdown Lot at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex the day before your first shift between 10am-5pm.
- If you cannot arrive the day before, you can come to the tent between 7:00am-10:00am the day of your shift. However, please understand we will be checking volunteers in for shifts during that time and wait times will be longer.
- Credentials must be picked up before attending your first shift. Distribution will only take place at the above noted dates and locations.
Special Olympics Overview and Terminology
- What is Special Olympics
- Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance, and awareness among people with and without intellectual disabilities. The Special Olympics has created a model community that celebrates people’s diverse gifts. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kenney Shriver, Special Olympics is a movement that provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, demonstrate bravery, and experience joy and friendship. There is no cost to participate in the Special Olympics.
- Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance, and awareness among people with and without intellectual disabilities. The Special Olympics has created a model community that celebrates people’s diverse gifts. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kenney Shriver, Special Olympics is a movement that provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, demonstrate bravery, and experience joy and friendship. There is no cost to participate in the Special Olympics.
- Special Olympics Mission
- The Special Olympics mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for youth and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other special Olympic athletes and the community.
- The Special Olympics mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for youth and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other special Olympic athletes and the community.
- Special Olympics Oath
- “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
- “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
- Appropriate Terminology
- Refer to participants in Special Olympics as Special Olympics athletes rather than Special Olympians.
- Refer to individuals, persons or people as having an intellectual disability, rather than intellectually disabled people or the intellectually disabled. A person has intellectual disabilities, rather than is suffering from, is afflicted with or is a victim of mental retardation/intellectual disabilities.
- Distinguish between adults and children with intellectual disabilities. Use adults or children, or older or younger athletes.
- A person uses a wheelchair, rather than being confined or restricted to a wheelchair.
- Refer to participants in Special Olympics as athletes. In no case should the word athletes appear in quotation marks.
- A person has a physical disability rather than is crippled.
- Inappropriate Terminology / Interacting with Special Olympics Athletes
- Avoid use of the label "kids" when referring to Special Olympics athletes. Adult and senior athletes are an integral part of the movement.
- Avoid use of the adjective "unfortunate" when talking about persons with an intellectual disability. Disabling conditions do not have to be life-defining in a negative way.
- Avoid sensationalizing the accomplishments of persons with disabilities. While these accomplishments should be recognized and applauded, people in the disability rights movement have tried to make the public aware of the negative impact of referring to the achievements of people with physical or intellectual disabilities with excessive hyperbole.
- Use the word "special" with extreme care when talking about persons with intellectual disabilities.
- The term “special”, if used excessively in references to Special Olympics athletes and activities, can become a cliché.
2022 Games Overview
The 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, scheduled for June 5-12, 2022 in Orlando, Florida, will unite more than 5,500 athletes and coaches from all 50 states and the Caribbean during one of the country’s most cherished sporting events – the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games. The USA Games, which is hosted every four years, will mark the largest multi-sport sporting event in Florida history. Florida has long been known as a welcoming destination for families and boasts some of the world’s most famed attractions, including world-class attractions and sporting venues. Beyond that, Florida itself is renowned for its hospitality, making it the ideal location for the unifying and inspiring Special Olympics Games. The Games will offer 19 Olympic-style team and individual sports, including athletics (track & field), basketball, bocce, bowling, cheerleading, equestrian, flag football, golf, gymnastics, open water swimming, powerlifting, soccer, softball, stand up paddleboard, surfing, swimming, tennis, triathlon and volleyball. For over 50 years, Special Olympics has been empowering athletes and encouraging a more inclusive world by initiating a global inclusion movement using sport, health, education and leadership programs.
In addition to sports competitions:
The Opening Ceremony
will take place in the heart of Downtown Orlando, at Exploria Stadium. This unforgettable celebration, produced by Disney Live Entertainment will feature surprise celebrity guests and more.
Located at Disney’s All-Star Music & Sports Resorts, the Athlete Village will be the athlete's home away from home and host to fun games and music, giving our athletes a chance to unwind and have some fun when they are not competing in their sporting events.
The Healthy Athletes Experience will provide approximately 12,000 health screenings for Special Olympics athletes throughout the week of the Games.
The Fan Zone will be filled with a wide range of activities, providing athletes, honored guests, volunteers and visitors with dozens of opportunities to have fun, engage in new experiences, relax and enjoy live entertainment. There will be Games and activations for guests to engage in, pin trading, giveaways and opportunities to win prizes, and as well as places to relax and enjoy the festivities.
The Closing Ceremony will take place in the Arena at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex giving the athletes a chance to celebrate as we wrap up the USA Games.
The reach of these Games will further champion the understanding, acceptance and inclusion of persons with intellectual disabilities in communities throughout Orlando as well as around the United States. These USA Games will be the largest humanitarian event in the state of Florida’s history.
Special Olympics, Inc. has grown from a modest program serving local athletes to become the world’s largest movement dedicated to promoting respect, acceptance, inclusion, and human dignity for people with intellectual disabilities through sports.
- Nearly 5 Million Special Olympics athletes worldwide
- More than 200 Countries and Jurisdictions around the world
- 32 Olympics-type sports
- 100,000 competitions annually
- Over 1 Million volunteers and coaches worldwide
What to Wear and What Not to Wear
- Volunteers will receive one (1) t-shirt if fulfilling two shifts or two (2) shirts if fulfilling three (3) or more shifts. Leadership Volunteers will receive polos.
- Games issued credential should be worn at all times while volunteering.
- You will need to show a government issued photo ID to check in for each shift.
- Games issued T-shirt or Polo - Please do not alter and ensure it is wrinkle-free. Again, please do not alter the shirt/polo in any way.
- Bucket cap - Please do not alter the cap in any way.
- Tan or khaki pants, shorts, or skirts are preferred but other colors may be worn.
- No jeans except at Equestrian.
- No see-through, low-riding pants or clothing with holes/tears or non-Games branding
- Shorts should be no shorter than fingertip length when arms are straight by your side.
- Tennis shoes with non-marking soles
- No political, cause marketing or commercial slogans, logos or branding accessories including buttons, or pins (Games pins are approved), jewelry or clothing may be worn other than what appears on your Games issued items.
- Sun protection precautions are encouraged including non-mirrored sunglasses, sunscreen, sun-reflective under shirt/clothing.
- Reusable water bottle
- Small backpack or fanny pack (some venues have restrictions on bags; consult the venue’s website for details)
- Non-perishable snacks
- Your government issued photo ID
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Your Games credentials
- Rain gear if inclement weather is forecasted (some venues do not allow umbrellas)
What NOT to Bring
- Pets
- Purses, bags or large backpacks – smaller packs are acceptable
- Children
- Valuables
- Any items restricted by the venue (please consult the venue’s website for details
Lost and Found Procedures
- Lost items should be turned into the volunteer and information services area at the venue where the item was found.
- Lost items will be kept at the venue until the last day of operation for the venue
- Once a venue is no longer being used by the Games, unclaimed items will be transferred to the venue management
Competition Schedule
https://www.2022specialolympicsusagames.org/schedule
VOLUNTEER INFORMATION & KEY POLICIES
Scheduling / Shift Changes / In Case of Rain or Severe Weather
EXACT SHIFT CHECK-IN TIMES ARE AVAILABLE BY LOGGING INTO THE SHIFT SELECTION SITE AND YOUR PROFILE IN THE VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.
All volunteers select their own shifts through the shift selection site on the Volunteer Management System. If you find that you are available for additional shifts, or if you need to change your shift, please use the link and steps below to modify your shifts:
Click HERE to visit the shift selection site.
- Login using the same email and password you used to register.
- Click on the dashboard and then click View Schedule on the blue “2022 Special Olympics USA Games Shift Selection” site card and the shifts you selected will appear.
- To add more shifts, click the green Modify button.
- To remove a shift, click the red Remove button.
If an emergency prevents you at the last minute from being able to attend your shift, please login to the Volunteer Management System to cancel your shift.
In the event of rain, unless you are notified otherwise by email or text, all indoor and outdoor events will proceed as scheduled. Please report for your shift as scheduled. In the event of severe weather, it may be necessary to delay competition or reschedule events. Information and updates will be shared via email, text or through your leader.
Volunteer ParkingDuring the Games, transportation for volunteers is the responsibility of the volunteer. Each competition and special event venue will have designated parking areas for working volunteers. All parking information is noted on the Venue Facts Sheet.
Check-in / Check-out Policy
All volunteers must arrive at Volunteer Check-in at your scheduled start time and assigned venue. The start time to each shift is your call time to be present at the respective venue volunteer check-in area. Volunteers are expected to check in with the venue volunteer services check-in desk upon arrival at the venues OR Volunteers who have downloaded the Games App can use their smart device to scan the QR code on their credential to self-check-in and proceed to their assigned location. Volunteers are expected to complete assignments as scheduled and can stop by volunteer check-in when departing. Any problems or questions should be immediately reported to the Venue Operations Director or Volunteer Services Director.
Volunteer Check-in / Check-out Locations
The location of Volunteer Check-in/Check-out is listed under each Venue Fact Sheet.
Meal Policy
A light meal will be provided for shifts of five (5) or more hours at your venue and scheduled by your supervisor. Meals will be available within the Volunteer Lounge/Tent for each venue. Meal breaks may be at the end of your shift or, if working a later shift, you may be given the option to arrive before your scheduled shift time to have your meal before you begin your shift.
Credentialing
All volunteers must:
- Complete volunteer registration to be credentialed – no exceptions
- Present government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, or military ID) when picking up their credential prior to the games
- Present their credential and a government issued photo ID each day when checking into their assigned venue
- Wear their credential at all times while serving as a volunteer Credentials remain the property of the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games throughout the event and must be surrendered if requested.
USA Games Credential Overview
Orlando Int’l Airport Fact Sheet:
| Location | 1 Jeff Fuqua Blvd, Orlando, FL |
Arrival Dates | June 2nd-5th June 12th |
Transportation Commissioner | Natalie Lattimore |
Volunteer Services Director | Renee Parker |
Volunteer Parking Location | Follow the blue signs to Parking Garage C. Then take the shuttle to A Concourse. Parking cost will be covered for working volunteers. Please take a parking ticket when you enter Garage C. Please get a parking voucher from the Volunteer Services Director when you are departing at the end of your shift. This will allow you to exit the parking garage first putting in your parking ticket then the voucher. We will not reimburse volunteers who elect to pay cash to exit. |
Volunteer Check-in/Lounge Location | Volunteers are to check-in on the A Concourse, enter on the first floor by bus parking, rows 43, 44 & 45. Inside the doors will be the Volunteer check-in and lounge. |
Meal(s) Provided & Pick-up Location | Lunch vouchers can be picked up at the Volunteer Lounge. |
Appropriate Attire | Game issued T-shirt, khaki pants/shirts/skirt/skort or other colors are OK, and comfortable shoes (no flip flops). |
Orlando Executive Airport
| Location | 365 Rickenbacker Drive, Orlando, FL |
Arrival Dates | June 4th |
Transportation Commissioner | Natalie Lattimore |
Volunteer Services Director | Renee Parker |
Volunteer Parking Location | Please do not park in the parking lot. Park in the grass area to the right of the road just before the entrance to the parking lot. |
Volunteer Check-in/Lounge Location | Inside the Johnsville Brat hanger. |
Meal(s) Provided & Pick-up Location | Lunch vouchers can be picked up at the Volunteer check-in. |
Appropriate Attire | Game issued T-shirt, khaki pants/shirts/skirt/skort or other colors are OK, and comfortable shoes (no flip flops). |
Sport Venue Volunteer Fact Sheet: Swimming
| Location | Rosen Aquatic Center 8422 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819 |
Competition Dates | June 6-10, 2022 |
Volunteer Services Director | Uneeke Armani |
Competition Director | Apryle Nickson |
Volunteer Parking Location | Volunteers will park for free at ICON Park then take a ¼ mile walk from the venue to the Rosen Aquatic Center.8375 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819 |
Volunteer Check-in/Lounge Location | Volunteer check-in and lounge are located at the South end of the Aquatic Center in the parking lot. |
Meal(s) Provided & Pick-up Location | Lunch will be served in a tent in the south end of the parking lot. |
Venue Website | https://www.rosenaquatic.com/ |
Sport Venue Volunteer Fact Sheet: Open Water Swimming & Stand-up Paddleboard
| Location | Lucky's Lake 6645 Lake Cane Dr, Orlando, FL 32819 |
Competition Dates | June 6-10, 2022 (practice and competition) |
Volunteer Director | Lenora Deonath |
Competition Director | Open Water Swim - Lucky Meisenheimmer Stand Up Paddle - Meg Bosi |
Volunteer Parking Location | On site |
Volunteer Check-in/Lounge Location | Located in front of the house. |
Meal(s) Provided & Pick-up Location | Volunteer Tent |
Venue Website | https://luckyslakeswim.com |
Sport Venue Volunteer Fact Sheet: Surfing
| Location | Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon 1145 E Buena Vista Dr, Orlando, FL 32830 |
Competition Dates | June 6-8, 2022 (practice and competition) |
Venue Operations Director | Andrea Blome Gilberto |
Competition Director | Mitch Varnes |
Volunteer Parking Location | On site |
Volunteer Check-in/Lounge Location | Front Entrance of Park |
Meal(s) Provided & Pick-up Location | Spectator Side of Wave Pool |
| Appropriate Attire | Game issued T shirt, khaki or tan bottoms, tennis shoes |
Venue Website | https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/typhoon-lagoon/?CMP=OKC-80007981_GM_WDW_destination_disneystyphoonlagoonwaterpark_NA |
Sport Venue Volunteer Fact Sheet: Bowling
| Location | Boardwalk Bowl Center 10749 E Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32817 |
Competition Dates | June 6-9, 2022 |
Volunteer Director | Debbie Conn |
Technical Delegate | Rich Domros |
Volunteer Parking Location | On site |
Volunteer Check-in/Lounge Location | Support room in the bowling center |
Meal(s) Provided & Pick-up Location | Meals are provided for select roles at this venue. Details available upon check-in. |
| Venue Website | http://www.alomabowlingcenters.com/boardwalk/ |
Sport Venue Volunteer Fact Sheet: Golf
| Location | Orange County National 16301 Phil Ritson Way, Winter Garden, FL 34787 |
Competition Dates | June 6-9, 2022 |
Volunteer Director | Christine Bishop |
Competition Director | Robin Luck |
Volunteer Parking Location | On site |
Volunteer Check-in/Lounge Location | Located in a tent on the backside of the Clubhouse. |
Meal(s) Provided & Pick-up Location | Located in a tent on the backside of the Clubhouse. |
| Venue Website |
Sport Venue Volunteer Fact Sheet: Equestrian
| Location | Osceola Heritage Park 1875 Silver Spur Ln, Kissimmee, FL 34744 |
Competition Dates | June 6-10, 2022 (including horse matching) |
Volunteer Director | Harriette Carlton |
Competition Director | Danielle Johnson |
Volunteer Parking Location | On site |
Volunteer Check-in/Lounge Location | Upper level left side of the venue. Enter the main lobby and take the stairs on the left to the second level and turn left. |
Meal(s) Provided & Pick-up Location | Upper level left side of the venue. Enter the main lobby and take the stairs on the left to the second level and turn left. |
| Venue Website |
Sport Venue Volunteer Fact Sheet: Tennis
| Location | USTA 10000 USTA Blvd, Orlando, FL 32827 |
Competition Dates | June 6-11, 2022 |
Volunteer Director | Gabe Burns |
Competition Director | Scott Mitchell |
Volunteer Parking Location | On site |
Volunteer Check-in/Lounge Location | Inside the main building towards the back of the lobby at the counter to the right of the doors. |
Meal(s) Provided & Pick-up Location | Volunteers are invited to eat their meals in the spectator seating area. |
| Venue Website |
Sport Venue Volunteer Fact Sheet: Various Sports
| Location | ESPN Wide World of Sports 700 S Victory Way, Orlando, FL 34787 |
Competition Dates | June 6-11, 2022 |
Volunteer Directors | Alais Salvador, Amy Steinbeck, Amanda Montgomery, Barb Burkhalter, Julie Lane, Lora Miller, Michelle Wells, Renee Parker, Sara Hurst, and Scott Enos |
Competition Directors | Roy Peters, Jessica Ott, Laurie Chmielewski, Kate Hickie, Jim Hollice, DJ Duckett, Laurie Gouthro, Lori Caporaso |
Volunteer Parking Location | On Site in the Touchdown Lot. |
Volunteer Check-in/Lounge Location | Tent in the Touchdown Lot. |
Meal(s) Provided & Pick-up Location | Dining Tent near the Arena. |
| Appropriate Attire | Game issued T shirt, khaki or tan bottoms, tennis shoes |
| Venue Website | https://www.espnwwos.com/?CMP=OKC-80008033_GM_WDW_recreation_espnwideworldofsportscomplex_NA |
Sport Venue Volunteer Fact Sheet: Bocce
| Location | Disney’s Coronado Springs 1000 W Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 |
Competition Dates | June 6-9, 2022 |
Volunteer Manager | Emily Bogdanowicz and Gabi Garcia-Perez |
Competition Director | Alana Sumner |
Volunteer Parking Location | On site |
Volunteer Check-in/Lounge Location | Registration desk near the Veracruz ballrooms |
Meal(s) Provided & Pick-up Location | In the Veracruz ballrooms. |
| Appropriate Attire | Game issued T shirt, khaki or tan bottoms, tennis shoes |
| Venue Website |
Sport Venue Volunteer Fact Sheet: Triathlon
| Location | Lake Minneola Waterfront Park 330 3rd St, Clermont, FL 34711 |
Competition Dates | June 11, 2022 |
Volunteer Manager | Sports Dept handling check-in. |
Volunteer Parking Location | On site |
Volunteer Check-in/Lounge Location | 2022 USA Games Zone Volunteer check-in tent near bicycle transition. |
Meal(s) Provided & Pick-up Location | 2022 USA Games Zone Volunteer check-in tent near bicycle transition. |
Appropriate Attire | Game issued T shirt, khaki or tan bottoms, tennis shoes |
| Venue Website |
Venue Volunteer Fact Sheet: OPENING CEREMONY
| Location | Exploria Stadium 655 W Church St. Orlando, FL 32805 |
Competition Dates | June 5, 2022 Rehearsal Date: June 4 |
Volunteer Manager | |
Volunteer Parking Location | UCF Parramore Parking Garage PG1 Working Volunteers Must Show their credential to security to gain entry. 323 N Parramore Ave |
Volunteer Check-in/Lounge Location | Callahan Neighborhood Community Center (June 4-5) |
Meal(s) Provided & Pick-up Location | Provided during break times through concessions or West Club Lounge. |
Appropriate Attire | Game issued T shirt, khaki or tan bottoms, tennis shoes |
| Venue Website |
FAQ’s
Please first check the Games App or Volunteers Page on the Games website for answers to frequently asked questions. If you need additional assistance, you can email volunteers@2022USAGames.org for general Volunteers; groupvolunteers@2022USAGames.org for partner Volunteers; and MedHealthVolunteers@2022USAGames.org for Medical and Health Volunteers
