Team Adams July Update
July 2026
Fall Sports Offered by Team Adams:
Volleyball (Bourbon Mill, Wednesdays, 6:30pm)
Powerlifting (Hanover Family Fitness, Sundays, 5:30pm)
Bocce (Bourbon Mill, Fridays, 6:00pm)Roller Skating (Magic Elm, Wednesdays, 4:15pm)
Long Distance Running/Walking (LDRW) (Oakside Park, Sundays, 10:00am)
If you'd like to PLAY, VOLUNTEER, or COACH any of our Fall Sports listed above, you MUST SIGN UP by July 15. If you have not signed up yet, use this link to find the sport(s) you want and be sure the location lists "Adams County" if you want to play with Team Adams. (You may play for other local programs as long as you are willing to drive to that location.) Then click "Details and Sign Up" and then click "Sign Up".
Please note that the SOPA website lists the general dates for each season rather than the actual dates that each sport practices for each local program. Refer to our Team Adams 2026 Training Schedule for exact dates for our sports! Coaches should also be reaching out to everyone on the roster prior to the season beginning to provide a practice schedule as well as other important information.
Bailey & Rachel
Ethan
Eli
Katherine McMaster
Congratulations to Katherine McMaster for being selected to receive a United Way "With Heart in Hand Award" for the "Arc of Adams County Jo Smith Leading by Example Award"!
Katherine is one of our volunteer coaches who is very dedicated to our athletes and always pushes them to reach their potential. Whether coaching volleyball, basketball, or swimming, she leads with kindness and a smile, and is always willing to work with someone who might need an extra hand. In addition to volunteering with Team Adams, Katherine is also actively involved at St. Francis Xavier School where she chairs the Race for Education and serves on the PTO.
Katherine has a big heart for the mission of Special Olympics and for helping others, so we think she is the perfect choice for a "With Heart in Hand" Award! Congratulations, Katherine!
Special Olympics PA powerlifters Brandon Shoemaker and Molly Mathias celebrate with Team Adams Coach Nelson Trout after winning six total medals at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis, MN. Team Adams didn't have any athletes attend USA Games this year, but with hardwork, who knows who may get to go to USA Games 2027 in Cincinatti, Ohio!
Tuesday, July 28
The Special Olympics Pennsylvania Hometown Torch Run is a law enforcement-led community event carrying the "Flame of Hope" and it's coming to Gettysburg this summer! We don't have all the details yet, but we do know that it's going to be during the morning of Tuesday, July 28, at the Gettysburg Wyndham. It's going to be a little bit modified from a "regular" hometown torch run due to time constraints with the police conference being held there at that time. We've been asked to have a few athletes there in support of the event. Athletes will not actually be running in the torch run. We will just be there to represent Team Adams as a group as we cheer them on.
If you're interested in attending and you haven't already notified Joy Weikert, please let her know via email (adamsteamleader@gmail.com) or text (717-398-7657). Joy will share more info with those planning to attend as we receive it.
Special Olympics Capital Area Region has organized two special events at local baseball stadiums for our athletes as well as their families and friends! Seating has been reserved for these games so that we can sit together in the same section. The Capital Area Region will receive a % of ticket sales, so you'll be supporting Special Olympics while spending some quality time with family and friends! Spread the word and come join us for a good time at the ballpark
And who knows, you might even catch a foul ball as Carol Ann Bollinger recently did at our Orioles outing!
Harrisburg Senators ~ Sunday, July 19 @ 1:00pm
The Harrisburg Senators take on the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Sunday, July 19, at 1:00pm. Tickets are $20.68. Seating has been reserved for us in Box Seating Section 204, which is right behind home plate in the upper section!
York Revolution ~ Saturday, August 1 @ 6:30pm
The York Revs take on the Lexington Legends on Saturday, August 1, at 6:30pm. Tickets are $12. There will be fireworks in the stadium after the game! Seating has been reserved for us in section 5 along the first baseline so let's fill it up!
Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) has once again partnered with the Hanover Area YMCA to provide a “Special Olympics Membership Rate”, which waives the “joiner’s fee” and provides a “reduced rate membership” of 25% off to SOPA athletes and their families. If the athlete joins alone, they would receive 25% off the lowest individual rate. If the athlete joins with their family/guardian, they would receive 25% off the family rate or the rate that is appropriate to their family situation.
Athletes/families are entitled to a facility introduction and Fitness Center demonstration with an instructor with the same frequency as all YMCA members. YMCA will also offer participation in all health and fitness programs, group exercise, open gym, open swim and nutrition programs to SOPA athletes (as much/often as is available at location). YMCA membership gives you access to all their facilities which are located in Hanover, South Hanover, Littlestown, and Gettysburg. If you'd like to read the full agreement between SOPA and the YMCA, click here. This agreement runs from May 1, 2026 to May 1, 2027.
If interested in becoming a YMCA member at this reduced rate, please contact the Hanover YMCA at 717-632-8211.
Many athletes have Health Histories that are set to expire in May, June, or July. Keep an eye on your email. You are supposed to get an automated email 60 days and 30 days prior to the expiration date, reminding you to renew. However, there have been some technical issues where some athletes have NOT been receiving these reminders. NOTE: Automated emails from the portal go to the email address that was used when you set up your portal account. In many cases, that email address belongs to the athlete. ATHLETES & PARENT/GUARDIANS, please check your emails at least once a week to stay informed! Also, please sign in to the online portal and view the expiration date on your Health History Form! If you have forgotten your password, use the "Forgot Your Password" link to reset it. Do NOT create a new account!
Renewing your Health History basically involves logging into your online portal, going to your checklist, clicking on RENEW, reviewing your health information, making any needed updates, and electronically signing the form. You may need to answer some follow-up health condition questions or take a special form to your doctor, but that depends on your health conditions and the severity of them. You will receive an email if you need to do those extra things.
If you need any assistance with your renewal, email our Regional Administrative Manager, Jill Stoner, at jstoner@specialolympicspa.org. If you allow your Health History to expire, you will not be permitted to participate until it has been renewed!
