Date(s): Sunday, January 12th– Tuesday, January 14th
Site: Perfect North Slopes, Lawrenceburg
Higher Ground Conference and Retreat Center, West Harrison
Head of Delegation Contact: Greg Townsend, Program Coordinator (812) 584-6861
PLEASE READ. THERE IS IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW AND ACTION REQUIRED ON YOUR PART PRIOR TO YOUR ARRIVAL.
Schedule: Sunday, January 12
3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Winter Fest @ Life Center, Higher Ground
5:00 p.m. Coaches Meeting @ Lodge Meeting Room
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. ROD athletes check in @ Life Ctr, Higher Ground
6:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. Dinner @ Dining Hall, Higher Ground
7:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Opening Ceremonies @Life Center, Higher Ground
*8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Dance @ Life Center, Higher Ground
*Tentative Time: Will start 10 minutes after opening ceremonies
Monday, January 13
7:00 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. Breakfast @ Dining Hall, Higher Ground
7:45 a.m. Bus arrives at Higher Grounds to transport athletes
7:45 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Gather equipment/gear/outerwear and board bus
8:00 a.m. Bus departs for Perfect North Slopes
8:30 a.m. ROD athletes arrive at Slopes
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Equipment pick up @ rental room, PNS
9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Practice @ Perfect North Slopes
9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Change of Events Forms Due
11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Lunch @ Perfect North Slopes
2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Time Trials @ Perfect North Slopes
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Dinner @ Dining Hall, Higher Ground
8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Movie @ Life Center, Higher Ground
9:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Mandatory Coaches Meeting @ Lodge Meeting Room
Tuesday, January 14
7:00 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. Breakfast – Dining Hall @ Higher Ground
7:45 a.m. Bus arrives at Higher Grounds to transport athletes
7:45 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Gather equipment/gear/outerwear and board bus
8:00 a.m. Bus departs for Perfect North Slopes
8:30 a.m. ROD athletes arrive at slopes
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Equipment pick up @ rental room, PNS
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Final Competition @ Perfect North Slopes
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Lunch @ Perfect North Slopes
11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Awards Ceremonies @ Lodge Loft, Perfect North
1:30 p.m. Athletes picked up at PNS by parents/responsible party
Driving Directions to Higher Ground Conference and Retreat Center: http://hgcrc.org
3820 Logan Creek Lane, W Harrison, IN 47060
From Batesville: I-74 E towards Cincinnati; take the IN-1 exit, Exit 164 toward St. Leon/Lawrenceburg; turn left onto IN-1; turn right on Hwy 46; go 3 miles to the Higher Ground Conference Retreat Center sign; turn left onto Logan Creek Lane.
From Versailles/Aurora: US-50 E; turn left onto IN-1/Belleview Ave., turn right onto IN-1; turn left to stay on IN-1; take IN-1 to St. Leon and turn right on Hwy 46; go 3 miles to the Higher Ground Conference Retreat Center sign; turn left onto Logan Creek Lane.
Driving Directions to Perfect North Slopes: http://perfectnorth.com
19074 Perfect Place Lane, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025
From Batesville: I-74 E towards Cincinnati; take the IN-1 exit, Exit 164 toward St. Leon/Lawrenceburg; turn right onto IN-1; turn right onto Pribble Road; take the first left onto Perfect Place Lane.
From Versailles/Aurora: US-50 E; turn left onto IN-1/Belleview Ave., turn right onto IN-1; turn left to stay on IN-1; turn left onto Pribble Road; take the first left onto Perfect Place Lane.
Arrival/Check-in: Chaperones, athletes and Unified Partners are to arrive at the Life Center at Higher Ground on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. (no earlier and no later than 4:00 p.m.) Upon arrival, please check-in with Cheryl Shuman and Jessi Kieffer (prior to moving into lodge) at the Life Center. Look for our check-in table in the lobby of the Life Center.
Days Only Athletes: Athletes not staying with us at Higher Ground are responsible for their own transportation to and from Perfect North Slopes and are welcome to join us at Higher Ground for opening ceremonies on Sunday.
Housing Arrangements: The Delegation will be assigned a lodge at Higher Ground for athletes, coaches and chaperones. Please note that the only housing necessities that will be provided by Higher Ground is a bunk bed with mattress. Athletes, coaches, and chaperones will need to bring the following:
- Pillow
- sleeping bag or sheets/blankets
You MUST bring these items, or you will not be permitted to stay. Sleeping areas are not locked. Please make sure that you do not leave anything of value in the sleeping areas. Higher Ground and Special Olympics Indiana will not be responsible for stolen items.
Coach/Chaperone Responsibilities/Supervision: During the Winter Games (3 days) coaches/chaperones are responsible for the supervision, transporting, care, and getting Athletes and Unified Partners under the age of 18 to their appropriate events at ALL times, including through the night! Parents please do NOT take your athlete somewhere without first informing a coach/chaperone. Coaches/chaperones will assure that the doors to sleeping areas are closed when leaving the lodge (note these doors do not lock) and will assist with check-in and check-out. Any questions/concerns, please contact Greg Townsend. All coaches/chaperones are Class A Certified Volunteers (CVO) through Special Olympics.
Medications: Athletes needing assistance with his/her medications please send them in containers marked with athlete’s name, prescription name, dose and time; along with a completed Medication Administration Record (MAR), see attached. Medications and MAR should be given to Jessi Kiefffer at the time of check-in – who will be responsible for administering. Athletes who take responsibility for self-medication while at home may continue to do so during the weekend.
Medical Support: A nurse will provide medical support both evenings while we are at Higher Ground Conference and Retreat Center. Perfect North Slope Ski Patrol will be on duty constantly while we are at the slopes. If an athlete is injured while skiing, contact the nearest Games’ official who will radio for the Ski Patrol.
Meal Information: All meals beginning with dinner on Sunday and ending with lunch on Tuesday will be provided for those Athletes, Unified Partners, Coaches/Chaperones registered and staying at Higher Ground. Those not staying at Higher Ground (Days Only), lunch will be provided at Perfect North. Parents that would like to join their athlete for Sunday dinner before Opening Ceremonies must make arrangements and payment with Greg Townsend prior to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 10th.
Code of Conduct: Athletes, Unified Partners, and Coaches/Chaperones must follow the Special
Olympics Code of Conduct, including:
- 1. Refraining from the use of un-prescribed drugs and alcohol;
- 2. No gambling during any scheduled Special Olympics event; and
- 3. Adherence to established facility rules and regulations (including quiet hours, maximum number of people per room, use of roll-away beds, etc.)
Cancellation Policy: If warm weather or extremely cold weather or dangerous roads places the Winter Games in jeopardy, the decision on whether or not to conduct the games will be made by 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. If games are cancelled the Head of Delegation will be notified. If there are any changes in conditions after Thursday, it will be your responsibility to contact Greg Townsend, Head of Delegation. No back-up dates are scheduled. Any events or competitions that are cancelled prior to consolation/finals will receive a participation ribbon. Any questions/concerns please contact Greg Townsend at 812-584-6861.
Souvenirs: In limited supply will be available at Winter Fest held at the Life Center on Sunday. Cost range from $1.00 to $45.00.
New Equipment Rule: Special Olympics Inc. (our parent organization) has recently implemented a new equipment rule, beginning with our 2020 Winter Games. Helmets must be worn by all ski and snowboard athletes, no matter skill level. Such helmets MUST conform to the International Federation of Ski (FIS 2013) safety standards. Helmets must have the FIS label permanently attached to the helmet by the manufacturer in a location that is not obstructed by a goggle strap or other equipment. The helmets provided by PNS do not conform. Fortunately, the Delegation had the reserve funds available to purchase helmets for each athlete/chaperone. Helmets MUST be worn at all times while out on the slopes, this includes chaperones/coaches on skis or snowboards. Helmets are to be returned to the Delegation at the end of each day. DO NOT return to the PNS rental room.
New This Year/Attention Skiers & Snowboarders: Ski and snowboarding competition will use the same stations as skiing used last year.
If during practice on Monday morning, a skier or snowboarder is not comfortable with his/her events (too challenging or not challenging enough), please notify Greg before 11:00 a.m. so an event change form can be submitted. This MUST be done by 11:00 a.m.
Equipment: All ski/snowboard equipment checked out of Perfect North Slopes’ rental room (down stairs) must be return at the end of each day. Snowshoes are the property of the Delegation and are to be returned to the Coaches at the end of each day. Coaches should NOT request skis/snowboard, unless they have the ability to help athletes while wearing skis.
Bibs/Snow Pants: Will be available in limited supplies for those needing them at a rental cost of $10 per day.
Things you will need to know: Your shoe size and how much you weigh for appropriate ski/snowboard selection.
No Smoking/No Alcohol Policy: The use of tobacco products and alcohol at all venues are prohibited. Any coaches/chaperones or athletes who breaks this rule may be suspended from Special Olympics participation for at least one year.
Unified Partners: Unified Partners are NOT to assist athletes with personal care, dressing, showering, toileting etc.; these are the responsibilities of the chaperones. Unified Partners staying at Higher Ground are expected to assist with setup/cleanup of Opening Ceremonies (Sun.) and movie night (Mon.). See Greg for direction.
Pets: No pets of any kind are permitted. Working dogs are permitted.
Things to Pack:
- toothbrush and toothpaste
- comb/brush
- deodorant
- soap and shampoo
- bath towels and wash clothes
- shower shoes/flip flops
- large bag for wet/soiled laundry
- pillow
- sleeping bag or sheets/ blankets
- plenty of underwear and thermals
- winter coat
- water resistant gloves (or several pair), hat, and scarf
- ski pants/bibs
- waterproof boots and lots of warm socks
Remember you will want to dress in layers when out on the slopes. You MUST have the weather appropriate outer wear, or you will not be permitted to participate.
Opening Ceremonies: Opening Ceremonies will be hosted by Special Olympics Indiana – Ripley Ohio Dearborn Sunday evening. Ceremonies will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Life Center at Higher Ground Conference and Retreat Center. Parents are welcome to attend. Parents that would like to join their athlete for Sunday dinner before Opening Ceremonies must make arrangements and payment with Greg Townsend prior to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 10th. Cost is $10.00.
Dance: A dance will take place on Sunday at the Life Center after the Opening Ceremonies, sponsored/hosted by Special Olympics Indiana – Ripley Ohio Dearborn. Drinks and snacks will be available.
Movie Night: Special Olympics Indiana – Ripley Ohio Dearborn will host a Movie Night on Monday at 8:00 p.m. in the Life Center at Higher Ground. Drinks and snacks will be available.
Items That Need Your Attention: The Assumption of Risk, Waiver of Liability, and Indemnification Agreement and Equipment Rental Agreement that were attached to your games information packet that you should have recieved in the mail MUST be signed by ALL athletes and coaches/chaperones or by their parent/guardian (if under the age of 18). This form MUST be turned in to Cheryl Shuman when you check-in on Sunday.
