Make a Difference, One Step At a Time

The Special Olympics Maryland Figure Skating Team relies on volunteer coaches to ensure that every skater is offered a quality training and competition experience.  Our volunteer coaches are competitive skaters - figure skaters, synchronized skaters and ice dancers at different skill-levels.  Everyone from high school and college students to professionals has found a place in our program.  You will be amazed to see the warmth and energy of our special skaters.  Join us for a fulfilling experience.

How to Volunteer

Special Olympics coaches are very special people!  All coaches must be at least 13 years old and meet the Special Olympics standards and mandatory training requirements in order to qualify as a coach.  Coaches are not paid and volunteer their time to the program.  However, SSL hours may be earned for time spent coaching.  In order to join our team as a volunteer coach, please follow the following steps:
  1. Visit the Montgomery County Special Olympics Volunteer Requirement Website
  2. Complete the Special Olympics Volunteer form 
  3. Complete the Protective Behaviors Quiz and print and save the copy of the page that says you completed this
  4. Complete the Communicable Diseases Waiver 
  5. All three of these forms should be shared with our SOMD Program Coordinator.
  6. The Volunteer Application and Protective Behaviors quiz must be renewed every 3 years.
  7. Volunteer coaches under the age of 18 must also complete a one-time Minor Reference Form and provide a copy to the SOMD Program Coordinator.
  8. If you haven't been through Special Olympics volunteer orientation, contact the Special Olympics Montgomery County Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected] to schedule a volunteer orientation.  Volunteers need to attend a volunteer orientation only once; no renewal is needed. 
  9. Once you have been informed of your approval for volunteering, send an email to our SOMD Program coordinator to document your approval.
  10. You are all set. You can begin volunteering!
A more detailed description of the process can be found here:

Important Documents for Coaches

Special Olympics Figure Skating - Rules and Requirements.pdf
File Size: 930 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Special Olympics Maryland Coaches - Roles and Responsibilities.pdf
File Size: 350 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Practice Time

We hold practices (almost) every Saturday during skating season from 11:20am - 12:20pm at Rockville Ice Arena (50 Southlawn Ct, Rockville, MD 20850) though this timeslot is subject to change.  Practice ice is shared with other group lessons and is usually held on Rink 1 but can vary depending on the ice arena's scheduled events.  Practice is cancelled when Rockville Ice Arena hosts a hockey tournament and when inclement weather would make the commute a risky proposition.   Our Head Coach sends out a weekly email to team members to announce the practice schedule. 
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Student Service Learning (SSL) Hours

Volunteer coaches earn SSL hours for the time they volunteer.