The Special Olympics movement, our athletes, and the upcoming 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games sound a call to action for Idaho’s youth–and youth throughout the world–to create a more compassionate world beginning with each of us, starting now!

Building on and enhancing the global Special Olympics set of resources, Special Olympics Get Into It®, the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games School and Youth Enrichment Program is a K-16 education initiative that provides educators, youth leaders and youth, tools and resources to teach and learn about compassion, diversity, and respect as exemplified through the Special Olympics movement and athletes.

Research indicates that it is only through direct experience with people with intellectual disabilities that attitudes and behaviors change. The Special Olympics education initiative embeds the findings of this research to support long-term behavior and attitude change of our youth.

The materials include challenging activities to heighten youth dialogue and awareness of diversity. The tenacity and courage exemplified by the Special Olympics athletes is the backdrop for youth discussion and action about removing the barriers surrounding disabilities. Lastly, service-learning activities challenge each youth to act—with thoughtfulness, compassion, peace and respect.
 
The School and Youth Enrichment Program includes a rich selection of lessons and activities from which educators, youth leaders and youth can select. As part of the upcoming 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games, additional high interest activities and competitions are being offered to enhance youth involvement and dialogue. By the World Winter Games in 2009, our goal is that all Idaho youth will be touched by these resources and compelled to act with compassion, always.