The Special Olympics Virginia Fitness Collaborative brings together coaches, athletes, parents, and fitness professionals for a two-day, in-person event focused on building sustainable fitness opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Hosted at Culpeper Fieldhouse in Culpeper, Virginia, this high-energy collaborative is designed for people who want practical tools, real conversations, and ideas they can immediately apply in gyms, programs, and team settings across the Commonwealth.
This is not a traditional conference. A collaborative creates space for shared learning. Attendees learn from one another, exchange real-world experiences, and walk away with clear, actionable takeaways that support inclusive fitness and healthier lifestyles.
Event Schedule and Location
Location: Culpeper Fieldhouse, Culpeper, Virginia
- Saturday, January 17 | 11:00 AM–5:00 PM
- Sunday, January 18 | 8:00 AM–1:00 PM
Sessions across both days focus on inclusive fitness, adaptive programming, and practical strategies that support athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Keynote Speaker: Alycia Anderson
The Fitness Collaborative will feature a keynote from Alycia Anderson, a global keynote speaker, disability advocate, and accessibility strategist who helps organizations turn inclusion into action.
A wheelchair user since birth, Alycia brings both lived experience and professional expertise to her work. She holds a Master’s Degree in Adaptive Physical Activity and serves on California’s Insurance Diversity Task Force as the inaugural Persons with Disabilities Business Enterprise representative.
Alycia has partnered with more than 200 global brands, including Microsoft, Netflix, Uber, and the International Paralympic Committee. Her keynote will focus on breaking down real barriers, reframing assumptions, and building inclusive environments that actually work for athletes, teams, and organizations.
New in 2025: Fitness Captain Certification for Athletes
New this year, Special Olympics Virginia is launching a Fitness Captain certification for athletes who want to lead their teammates toward healthier habits.
This athlete-focused breakout session runs for nearly the full Saturday schedule and provides hands-on leadership training centered on fitness routines, motivation, and team accountability. Fitness Captains play a key role in reinforcing healthy behaviors within their teams and communities.
Coaches can nominate an athlete for the Fitness Captain training here:
https://specialolympicsva.wufoo.com/forms/sova-fitness-collaborative-fitness-captains/
Registration Details and Cost
- Capacity: Limited to 65 participants
- Registration: $20 refundable deposit per person
- Refund Policy: Deposit is returned upon attendance
What’s Included
- Meals provided for all attendees
- One-night hotel stay included for participants traveling more than 50 miles