About
Special Olympics Maryland – Garrett County is the county's local program of Special Olympics Maryland, offering year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. It is run by local volunteers and coaches based in Oakland and welcomes new athletes, families and helpers from anywhere in Garrett County.
Who Can Take Part
The program serves athletes with intellectual disabilities starting at age 2, according to its Garrett County Chamber listing. Statewide, Special Olympics Maryland also runs a Young Athletes program for the youngest participants and lets people without disabilities join in as Unified Teammates alongside athletes. To sign up, athletes complete the Special Olympics Maryland athlete registration and medical form, and the county coordinator can help you find the right sport and practice group.
Mountain Sports at Home
Garrett County's snow and slopes give the local program a natural stage. In 2023 the county hosted the Special Olympics Maryland Winter Games at Wisp Resort, where almost 200 athletes from around the state competed in alpine skiing and snowshoeing events. Local support runs deep too: in 2024 a team of Garrett County Government employees took an icy dip in Deep Creek Lake for the first Community Dunk, raising money that went directly to Garrett County Special Olympics athletes.
Coaching and Volunteering
Coaches, Unified Teammates and event helpers keep the program going. Volunteers fill out the Special Olympics Maryland Class A volunteer application, and the Garrett County contact listed by Special Olympics Maryland, Donna Holt, can tell you where help is needed this season.
Whether you have an athlete in the family or a few hours to give, a call to the county contact is a good first step.
Address
Oakland, MD 21550