Lesson 2: Special Olympics: An Empowering Timeline
Learn about the steps Eunice Kennedy Shriver took to build a global movement of inclusion.
Many people have things they care about. These passions lead to setting goals. When someone feels motivated to take control and reach a goal they become empowered.
People can feel self-empowered. They can also empower others! This means they inspire with their words and actions.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver was empowered to make change for youth with disabilities. It was a journey. It took many steps.
Along the way, she empowered many others to join her. There was a goal to give youth with intellectual disabilities a chance to play and grow. There was a goal for youth of all abilities to be together. They did it!
Many people have things they care about. These passions lead to setting goals. When someone feels motivated to take control and reach a goal they become empowered.
People can feel self-empowered. They can also empower others! This means they inspire with their words and actions.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver was empowered to make change for youth with disabilities. It was a journey. It took many steps.
Along the way, she empowered many others to join her. There was a goal to give youth with intellectual disabilities a chance to play and grow. There was a goal for youth of all abilities to be together. They did it!
Learn more about Eunice Kennedy Shriver
Click on each dot and the hyperlinks to learn more. Then answer the questions based on what you’ve learned.
1962: Camp Shriver Opens
In the 1960’s there were not a lot of chances for youth with intellectual disabilities to go to summer camps.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver was unhappy watching families struggle to find camps. She felt motivated to make change.
She said “enough”! She took the first steps towards creating camps for youth with and without disabilities!
Over 30 kids came to the first camp. Kids with all abilities played as a group. They played many sports and games. Everyone focused on what they could do, not what they could not do. It was a big success!
Camp Shriver - The Beginning of a Movement
Eunice Kennedy Shriver was unhappy watching families struggle to find camps. She felt motivated to make change.
She said “enough”! She took the first steps towards creating camps for youth with and without disabilities!
Over 30 kids came to the first camp. Kids with all abilities played as a group. They played many sports and games. Everyone focused on what they could do, not what they could not do. It was a big success!
Camp Shriver - The Beginning of a Movement
1963-1967: Camps in Many Cities
Camp Shriver opened for the next 3 years. More kids attended and had fun at the camps.
Everyone saw how successful it was! They saw what kids could do. It inspired other people to create even more programs. People wanted year-round camps and activities in schools.
In 1964, 3 cities decided to hold year-round camps for youth with disabilities. By 1967, over 7,000 children with disabilities were going to summer camps! There were also programs in schools to support student health. Again, youth with and without intellectual disabilities were able to enjoy time and grow together.
Out of the Shadows: Events Leading to the Founding of Special Olympics
Everyone saw how successful it was! They saw what kids could do. It inspired other people to create even more programs. People wanted year-round camps and activities in schools.
In 1964, 3 cities decided to hold year-round camps for youth with disabilities. By 1967, over 7,000 children with disabilities were going to summer camps! There were also programs in schools to support student health. Again, youth with and without intellectual disabilities were able to enjoy time and grow together.
Out of the Shadows: Events Leading to the Founding of Special Olympics
1968: The First Special Olympics Summer Games!
The 1st Special Olympics summer games was in 1968. It was for young athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Over 1,000 athletes joined! There was a ceremony with music, speeches, and a torch run.
There were over 200 events, like swimming, floor hockey, and track and field! Athletes ran, jumped, and swam. Professional athletes helped teach skills.
The crowd cheered. The cheers motivated the athletes to work hard. The athletes were proud and earned medals.
1968 Games
Over 1,000 athletes joined! There was a ceremony with music, speeches, and a torch run.
There were over 200 events, like swimming, floor hockey, and track and field! Athletes ran, jumped, and swam. Professional athletes helped teach skills.
The crowd cheered. The cheers motivated the athletes to work hard. The athletes were proud and earned medals.
1968 Games
1970: The Second Special Olympics Summer Games!
The world changed after the 1968 Olympic games. Many people were inspired. They believed they had the power to continue to support people with intellectual disabilities.
A promise was made that an Olympic games would be held every 2 years. That promise was not broken!
In 1970, the 2nd Special Olympics summer games was held. The numbers grew! There were over 1,500 athletes.
Each year, more people are motivated to help youth with disabilities. It continues today. Now, more than 5 million athletes compete each year.
1970s: A Joyful New Movement Gains Momentum
A promise was made that an Olympic games would be held every 2 years. That promise was not broken!
In 1970, the 2nd Special Olympics summer games was held. The numbers grew! There were over 1,500 athletes.
Each year, more people are motivated to help youth with disabilities. It continues today. Now, more than 5 million athletes compete each year.
1970s: A Joyful New Movement Gains Momentum
An Empowering Timeline: A Summery
Exercise 1 and 2
Exercise 1
Print the organizer and summarize the timeline of Special Olympics and the Summer Games. Look back at the texts for help.
Include how Eunice Kennedy Shriver was empowered to help, and how she empowered others.
Include how Eunice Kennedy Shriver was empowered to help, and how she empowered others.
Exercise 2
Print the organizer and summarize the timeline of Special Olympics and the Summer Games. Look back at the texts for help.
Include how Eunice Kennedy Shriver was empowered to help, and how she empowered others.
Include how Eunice Kennedy Shriver was empowered to help, and how she empowered others.