SOMO News
SOMO Scoop Newsletter: April
Stay informed and inspired with this month’s updates in the April SOMO Scoop Newsletter!
From the CEO
“My favorite highlight from the past month was attending the Indoor Games in St. Charles. It was truly inspiring to see the athletes compete with such a champion mindset. Their courage and perseverance were on full display, and they consistently pushed through challenges with remarkable determination.”
– Larry Linthacum, President & CEO
Statewide
SOMO App
It’s here! The official SOMO App will allow you to stay connected with all things Special Olympics Missouri! Get the latest updates, event schedules, athlete stories, and exclusive content—all in one place. Track your favorite teams, sign up for events, and never miss an important announcement.
Selection Camp & USA Games
Selection Camp for the 2026 USA Games is right around the corner! If you received a gold medal in your sport at the most recent Indoor or Outdoor Games, you qualify to attend Selection Camp for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games!
Team MO Magic is headed to Minneapolis, Minnesota from June 20-26, 2026, and this is your chance to be part of it. Selection Camp will take place at Missouri Military Academy from June 22-27, 2025.
Registration for Selection Camp is due May 1, 2025. Don’t miss this opportunity to represent Missouri on the national stage — sign up now!
2025 State Summer Games
The countdown to the 2025 State Summer Games is on! The 2025 State Summer Games will be held from May 30 to June 1, 2025, in Kirksville, MO, at Truman State University. The event will feature four exciting sports: Athletics, Powerlifting, Swimming, and Volleyball. Healthy Athletes will be available at the event, offering free health screenings to all athletes. You do not need to be competing at the State Summer Games to receive these screenings.
For more information, check out the details on volunteering and sponsorships: Volunteer Info and Sponsorship Info. The Coach Handbook will be available soon.
Stay up to date with all event details by downloading our mobile app: SOMO App. We look forward to seeing you at this exciting event!
Sign up now for the Summer Athlete Leadership Program!
We are excited to announce that our spring session has been moved to the summer! Join us for the 2025 Summer ALPs Weekend June 27-29 at the Missouri Military Academy in Mexico, MO. This will be an incredible opportunity to engage in fun activities, make new friends, and explore new classes. Participants will stay on the Military Academy campus for the duration of the event. We look forward to seeing you there! Register for the 2025 Summer ALPs University here!
Here’s a recap of our last ALPs University weekend September 27-29, 2024 at the Training for Life Campus in Jefferson City.
The 2025 State Indoor Games took place in St. Charles, MO, featuring Bowling and Basketball. The event was held on March 28-29, 2025 and brought together athletes from across the state for an exciting weekend of competition. Congratulations to all the athletes who competed! Click here for photos from the event.
Central Area
Community Care Celebration 2025
The Community Care Celebration 2025 will take place on Friday, April 25, 2025, from 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM at 305 Special Olympics Drive, Jefferson City, MO. This event brings together medical professionals, individuals with intellectual disabilities and essential resources to foster connections, promote awareness, and provide support. Highlights include health screenings, educational support, employment resources, recreational activities, and financial assistance programs. Join us for a day of care and empowerment as we work towards creating a more inclusive community.
Train for Life (Columbia, Jefferson City)
Our Train for Life fitness program continues this month in Columbia, Jefferson City and Ballwin. Train for Life is a 12 week Special Olympics Missouri program that focuses on overall wellness. Click here for details on the next Columbia session and click here for Jefferson City details.
Kansas City Metro Area
KC Squad
The KC Squad is a cheer and dance team for all ages! Sign up here to join the fun!
KC Unified Bocce Intramural with UMKC
This 5-Week Unified Bocce Intramural League with UMKC will take place on Tuesday evenings, 5:45-7:00pm at UMKC Swinney Recreation Center: 5030 Holmes St, Kansas City, MO 64110. Dates include: March 18, April 1, April 8, April 15, and April 22. Don’t miss out!
SOMO & SOKS Soccer Clinic: April 18
Join us for an AMAZING Soccer Clinic in collaboration with Sporting Brookside and Special Olympics Kansas. Click HERE to Register!
KC Area Spring Games
The KC Area Spring Games will take place on April 26 from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm! We can’t wait to see all our KC Area athletes compete! Interested in Volunteering? Click HERE! For questions, please contact Meg Ward: ward@somo.org.
UMKC Unified Intramural Banquet
We are inviting all Athletes and UMKC Unified Partners who participated in our 2024-2025 Unified Leagues to join us in celebrating another amazing year of Intramurals! This event will take place on April 29 from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm. Questions? Please contact Meg Ward: ward@somo.org
Excelsior Springs Unified Local Track Meet
Join us on April 30 from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm at Excelsior Springs High School for a day of track and fun!
SOMO vs. SOKS “Border Battle”: May 3
We hope you’ll join us for a “Border Battle” Powerlifting showdown between SOMO and SOKS Powerlifters! SOMO rosters are due Thursday, April 10.
- KC Area teams – please submit rosters to Meg Ward.
- North Area teams – please submit rosters to Mitch Curran.
North Area
2025 Polar Plunge St. Joseph Recap
The St. Joseph Polar Plunge was a big success, raising $28,500 to date. A total 56 brave men and women from around the area donned costumes and swimwear to take a chilly dip into freezing water. Online fundraising is still ongoing. Organizers of the Plunge still hope to raise an additional $9,500 to reach the goal of $8,000. Donations can be made on our online fundraising page!
Click here for photos and click here to read the full recap article!
North Area Spring Games (East Buchanan)
We will see you on April 12 from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm for our North Area Spring Games in East Buchanan! Athletes, come out for competition and fun! Questions? Please contact Mitch Curran: curran@somo.org Click HERE to volunteer!
St. Joseph Ladies Night Out Piccadilly
Our annual Ladies Night Out Piccadilly in St. Joseph will be on April 25th at 5:00pm and is an opportunity for you to take part in an evening of food, drink, community, and quarter auction! Proceeds benefit Special Olympics Missouri’s year-round program of sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. SOMO exists to provide year-round sports and training opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities and our athletes need you to get involved.
North Area Spring Games (Kirksville)
Join us on April 26 from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm for the Kirksville area Spring Games! Questions? Please contact Mitch Curran: curran@somo.org.
Southeast Area
SEMO Plunge Recap
Thank you to everyone who helped make the Southeast Missouri State University Polar Plunge on March 22 a big success! These brave plungers raised almost $21,000 for our Southeast Area athletes!
Southwest Area
Southwest Area Powerlifting: April 12
Join us on April 12 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm for Southwest Area Powerlifting hosted by by CrossFit Republic. Can’t wait to see you there!
Upcoming Southwest Area Track Meets
Track season is in full swing in the Southwest Area! Click on the events below to get more details.
- Carl Junction Southwest Local Track Meet: April 11
- Marshfield Southwest Local Track Meet: April 16
- Clever Southwest Area Track Meet: April 23
- Southwest Area Track Meet Webb City: April 29
- Southwest Local Track Meet McDonald County: May 2
Southwest Area Volleyball: April 27
Join us on April 27 from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm for Southwest Area Volleyball! This event will be at The Fieldhouse Sportscenter. Contact Jesse Williams for questions. See you there!
St. Louis Metro Area
St. Louis Metro Area Volleyball Tournament: April 12
Join us on April 12 from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm for a St. Louis Metro Area Volleyball Tournament! This tournament will be at St. Francis Borgia High School. Contact Jocelyn Diehl for questions.
Upcoming Track Meets
Spring means track season! Don’t miss these upcoming meets across the St. Louis Metro Area.
- St. Clair Local Track Meet: April 11
- Sullivan Unified Local Track Meet: April 16
- Jefferson County Local Track Meet: April 22
- Wright City Local Track Meet: April 25
- St. Louis Public Schools Local Track Meet: May 1
Train for Life (Ballwin)
Our Train for Life fitness program continues this month in Columbia, Jefferson City and Ballwin. Train for Life is a 12 week Special Olympics Missouri program that focuses on overall wellness. Click here for details on the next Ballwin session.
St. Louis Metro Area Soccer Tournament
This soccer tournament will take place on April 27 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm at Chaminade College Prep School. Contact Jocelyn Diehl for questions.
St. Louis Metro Area Spring Games
The St. Louis Metro Area Spring Games will take place on May 3 from 8:00 am – 3:30 pm at Westminster Christian Academy.
Stay in the know with SOMO by visiting our Area Pages below!