Some of its offerings aren't exactly what one might consider traditional Olympic sports. But what makes Special Olympics so special is that it unlocks potential, it explores the therapeutic nature of athletics, and it enhances lives.

"My favorite part is watching the growth of athletes as people," said Lynn Lopez, a team lead for Special Olympics Lancaster.

"Not just as athletes, but as individuals," said Anne Phillips, a sports team leader for Special Olympics Lancaster. "I have one particular athlete who was shy and reserved, and now he's not afraid to speak with anybody. He's developed quite a bit of confidence."

Special Olympics Lancaster uses sports to serve local residents with intellectual disabilities and delayed development issues. Athletes are mentored by coaches, learn the finer points of sports and are afforded opportunities to interact with peers and other members of the community.

Those opportunities that Special Olympics Lancaster provide are free to participants and their families.

Special Olympics Lancaster does not maintain a brick-and-mortar office space, but its management team meets at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of every month at Keystone Custom Homes, 227 Granite Run Drive, Lancaster.

"Many times, after high school, our athletes don't have ways to enjoy sports," said Phillips. "We're able to bring joy to the athletes and their families. They're able to compete with peers. That's important, mentally, physically and socially."

"We want to extend an opportunity to everyone to try a sport maybe they haven't tried before," said Lopez.

The sports offered by Special Olympics Lancaster are seasonal and correspond to those offered by Special Olympics Pennsylvania. Softball is offered in the summer season, which runs from June through August, while the fall season features volleyball, bocce, power lifting and long-distance walking/running. Special Olympics Lancaster's winter season offers bowling and snow shoeing, and the spring season includes swimming, basketball and tennis.

Seasons consist of learning, practicing and competing on the local, area and state levels. Special Olympics Lancaster utilizes athletic venues at Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster Bible College, Lititz recCenter, John Beck Elementary School in the Warwick School District and YMCA of the Roses in the city.

"(Athletes) develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship," said Lopez, a resident of Manheim Township. "The soft skills are steps toward independence. The social skills are interactions with others outside of their families."

"It often helps parents," said Phillips, a resident of Manheim borough. "Some parents are feeling very alone and they learn information like, 'My athlete does that too.' It's helpful for parents as well as the athletes. Some parents think their children couldn't do anything, and they're finding out they can play the sports they love."

Currently, about 165 individuals are registered across Special Olympics Lancaster programs. They're Lancaster County residents between the ages of 8 and 60.

"They are people. They are to be respected just like anyone else," said Phillips. "For some, it's social. But we have many serious, competitive athletes. Some are even elite athletes. They train year-round."

"These are people who love playing sports for the true love of it," said Lopez. "They are doing everything they can to compete at the level they're at. They're going to do their best."

Special Olympics Lancaster benefits from the contributions of about 40 volunteers. Because of safety guidelines, Special Olympics Lancaster maintains a one-to-four coach-to-athlete ratio, and there are currently waiting lists for athletes in some sports.

Right now, Special Olympics Lancaster is seeking volunteer coaches for its summer softball season.

"The name 'Special Olympics' is as popular as Coca-Cola," said Lopez. "We're one of the most recognizable brand names. But do people understand who we are? No, not always. Some people think it's a one-day or two-day function. We are that program targeting people with intellectual disabilities and developmental delays. We're much bigger than people think we are."

Special Olympics was established in Lancaster in 1975. There are more than 50 active Special Olympics programs across Pennsylvania.

"We're giving athletes a place to fit in, be competitive and learn a sport," said Phillips. "We need volunteers. We train volunteers. We could be so much bigger and meet so many more needs of the people of Lancaster County."

For additional information, search for "Special Olympics Lancaster PA" on Facebook.