Special Olympics Missouri Camps
2025 Gary Brimer Sports Camp
When: July 17-20,2025
Where: Training for Life Campus
Cost: $300.00
Registration: https://form.jotform.com/SpecialOlympicsMO/sports-camp-information- (Registration will close on June 1,2025)
Sport Offered: Volleyball, Basketball, Flag Football, Disc Golf, Fitness Program, Tennis and Bocce
For more information, please contact Susan Shaffer at Shaffer@somo.org.
Gary Brimer Sports Camp
Gary Brimer Sports Camp gives athletes a chance to experience several different sports while also learning important life skills. In addition to sports opportunities, athletes have the opportunity to learn about art, nature, health and much more! Athletes enjoy the usual summer camp experience while gaining important independent life and social skills. They also get to enhance their sports skills in a friendly and encouraging environment.
This camp was created in 1997 and takes place in June every year. The annual camp was named after Gary Brimer in 2021. Brimer passed away after a battle with cancer in Nov. 2020, leaving behind a lasting legacy. Brimer began his journey with SOMO in 1976, and he dedicated 41 years of his life to providing year-round sports training and competition to the thousands of athletes in Missouri. He started as a volunteer, but he ultimately became SOMO’s Director of Sports and Training. During his career, Brimer was instrumental in starting this camp. He also led the charge to develop a coaches training program. Brimer retired from SOMO in 2016.
Click here to see all of the photos from our 2024 Gary Brimer Sports Camp!
Gary Brimer Sports Camp Info
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- Registration fee to attend $300: Register today!
- A limited amount of camp scholarships are available. An application must be filled out in order to show qualification for a scholarships. Email us for more info.
- Gary Brimer Sports Camp provides an intensive training program for Special Olympics Missouri athletes across the state. Athletes will move up to 10 miles every day
- Primary sports offered are swimming, soccer, basketball, bocce, golf, softball, tennis and volleyball. We have also offered cycling, disc golf, floorball, and other non-official SOMO sports.
- Special Olympics Missouri coaches and athletes who would like to attend Gary Brimer Sports Camp must complete a camp application.
- Athletes of all skill levels are welcome from beginners to advanced athletes.
- Athletes will be grouped with other athletes from across the state.
- Questions? Email us!
REGISTRATION FOR SELECTION CAMP IS DUE MAY 1, 2025!!!
Every four years, the Special Olympics USA Games provide an opportunity for athletes to compete at the national level in summer sports. The 2026 USA Games will be in Minneapolis, Minn., June 20-26, 2026.
To qualify for Team MO Magic, individuals need to receive a gold medal in their sport of choice during the year prior to selection camp, attend selection camp, and be selected to Team Missouri. Selection Camp will be held at Missouri Military Academy from June 22-27, 2025. Check in will be from 3:30pm -5:00pm.
For more information, contact Susan Shaffer at shaffer@somo.org.
REGISTER FOR INDIVIDUAL SPORTS:
Team Missouri Athlete/Unified Partner Registration Form (INDIVIDUAL SPORTS)
2026 USA Games Information
Applications will be available in the Fall of 2024. We will accept applications from athletes, Unified partners, coaches and volunteers. To qualify, athletes and Unified partners must earn a gold medal in their respective individual or team* sport at one of the following state competitions: 2024 State Outdoor Games, 2025 State Indoor Games, 2025 State Pickleball Tournament or 2025 State Summer Games.
*Team sports have to qualify and apply as a team.
2026 Team sports:
- Basketball (Men's Interscholastic Unified) 5-on-5 -- 1 team
- Flag Football (Men's Mixed Traditional) -- 1 team
- Softball (Men's Mixed Traditional) -- 1 team
- Volleyball (Men's Mixed Traditional) -- 1 team
2026 Individual sports:
- Athletics
- Bocce
- Bowling
- Golf (Male Level 2, Male Unified Level 2, Male Level 4)
- Powerlifting
- Swimming
- Tennis (Male Regulation Court)
Camp Courage
Camp Courage is specifically catered for athletes with low motor skills. We'll focus on sports such as bocce, basketball and track and field.
Like Gary Brimer Sports Camp, Camp Courage is also an overnight camp. Please reach out to Susan Shaffer for more information!
In June 2020, we were prepared to offer the very first Gary Brimer Sports Camp at the Training for Life Campus. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to change our plans. Instead, we offered a Virtual Sports Camp where our camp counselors produced videos on their sports and we showed multiple videos per day. Below is a collection of those videos categorized by activity. These can be great training videos for years to come, so please share them with athletes, coaches, and families alike!