Use your winter break to work directly with participants and organization leaders from Special Olympics Iowa, one of sport's most cherished organizations.

In collaboration with the UI Therapeutic Recreation Program and the Disabilities Studies Certificate, you and your fellow sport and recreation management majors will assist with a variety of Special Olympics Winter Games competitions in Dubuque, Iowa. 

The course counts toward the following experiential learning requirements:

  • Event Planning Certificate
  • Tippie RISE
  • Sport and Recreation Management major or minor

 

Develop and practice your event management, coaching, and communication skills while working within a diverse and engaging community of participants.

Earn three semester hours of credit toward your sport and recreation management field experience requirement, or build out your resume with this unique experiential learning opportunity! 

Students in all majors and all years are encouraged to apply. Send your resume and cover letter to Anna Jensen at anna-jensen@uiowa.edu. Early applications are strongly encouraged. 

You'll have hands-on event management experience and gain professional skills and techniques specific to inclusive and therapeutic recreation.

Important details

  • $125 course fee includes travel to and from Dubuque, housing and most meals during the on-site event.
  • Students will work in teams at one of these events: snowshoe, downhill ski, cross country ski.
  • Students will travel to/from the event together.
  • Network with students in other areas of recreation.
  • This is a hybrid online/on-site course. Time commitments are as follows for both options:
    • Online course content will begin Dec. 23, 2024 and run through Jan. 10 , 2024.
    • Monday & Wednesday online meetings 9 to 10:30 a.m. No class meetings on university holidays.
    • On-site (Dubuque) commitments will be from Jan. 12-15, 2025.
    • Final presentations via synchronous zoom meeting the morning of Jan. 16, 2024, 9 to 10:30 a.m.

Who is this course best for?

Students in these concentration areas will find this particularly interesting and be able to dive deeper into each of their respective interests:

  • Event management
  • Coaching and sport instruction
  • Communications
  • Public relations
  • Sport and diversity