Special Olympics runs year round, but it's natural to think of it in relation to the school year, which is when participation tends to be at its highest, so when we make up our annual calendar we start in September.

In late August and early September, we gear up for the early fall sports: bocce, golf, and aquatics, practicing afternoons and evenings for upcoming scrimmages, local, and regional events. In October it's back to bowling, which the majority of our Ranchers compete in (and certainly beat the socks off the staff at the annual Staff-Rancher Bowling Tournament!)

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This year, Michael, Mark and Andrew competed in 9-hole alternate play, each with a non-Special Olympics golf partner.

There have also been special kayaking events held in the summer. Casey Dickerson, the Ranch QMRP/Case Manager, arranged for Kelly, Sterling, and Kyle to participate in a Paddle Up!, a joint venture between Special Olympics and the Paralympics Rowing Association and one of the many adaptive rowing and paddling programs offered by the Texas Rowing Center in Austin, Texas. Casey is a proficient rower, and served as coxswain on crew all through Texas A&M, where she met now-husband Matt.