The SOMO Hip Hop Crew was developed to give our Special Olympic Athletes a platform to compete and train within the professional dance world.
The benefits of Hip Hop training are:
Special Olympics Hip Hop is viewed as a bridge toward a more fully equalized dance world, providing the same opportunities and experiences for all populations and experience levels with the desire to dance with excellence and freedom. By fostering an integrated, creative community of dance athletes and coaches, we look forward to sharing our dances and journeys together while setting goals for each individual that lead to self-actualization and ultimately joy. Let the dance begin!
SOMO’s Hip Hop program is divided into 2 teams. Coaches will decide team placement, and they will share team and practice time assignments at the Mandatory Parent/Athlete Kickoff Meeting. To ensure that all athletes have a positive experience, we will strictly adhere to our 30-athlete cap (15 athletes per team). If you want to enhance your chances of making the team, please read SOMO’s Guidelines for Managing Roster Caps During Signup. Athletes must commit to attending all practices, qualifiers, and state competitions. Athletes who make this commitment and do not follow through will need to sit out the next season.
| Coaches | Sandra Toledo – Head Coach Rachel Maryn – Sport Director |
| Season Dates & Times | Mandatory Parent/Athlete Kickoff Meeting – March 6, 2026 at 6:15 PM Practices: Fridays, Starting March 6, 2026 Qualifiers: State Games: SOMD Summer Games, Friday June 12, 2026 at Towson University Signup Begins: Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 6 PM |
| Athlete & Volunteer Registration Expiration Date | Sport’s State Games competition date: June 12, 2026 All Forms must be up to date before the signup date (last Sunday in January). The expiration date on an Athlete’s Registration form, or a Volunteer’s certification, must be after the above State Games competition date to participate in the upcoming season. |
SOMO will provide athletes with the Hip Hop uniform. All uniforms must be returned after competition at Summer Games.
Location: Wootton High School, 2100 Wootton Pkwy, Rockville, MD 20850.
Timing: Practices occur on Friday evenings from 6:15-7:00 PM or 7:00-7:45 PM, depending on team placement.
Everyone should arrive at 6:15 PM for the first practice to receive their team and practice time assignments.
Mandatory Parent/Athlete Kickoff Meeting: Parents/Caregivers and athletes must attend the Kickoff Meeting held on the first day of practice to learn about our season’s details and to receive their team (and practice time) assignment. Be sure to show up – athletes who miss the Kickoff Meeting are not eligible for placement on a competition team for SOMD’s Summer Games.
Activities: Each practice starts with a warm up that includes stretching and light cardio, followed by practice to learn choreography.
All Athletes must participate in at least one Qualifier in order to be eligible for Summer Games. The Head Coach will announce full details after season start.
The State Hip Hop Competition is held on the Friday of SOMD Summer Games at Towson University.
Since Hip Hop is a team sport, it is important that all athletes commit to attending all practices, and participate in the Mandatory Qualifier, in order to be eligible for State Competition. Athletes who make this commitment and do not follow through will need to sit out the next season.
Athletes participating in Hip Hop may also participate in other sports as long they can fully participate in each sport. See Guidelines for Managing Participation in Multiple Sport Policy. Athletes should seek Head Coach approval from both sports if they want to participate in more than one sport. Participation in the Cheerleading and Hip Hop programs concurrently do not need approval.
Athletes in Hip Hop compete as a team, so each athlete makes a commitment to support the team and attend team events. The Hip Hop Athlete Contract outlines these commitments. The Hip Hop Head Coach will distribute the Hip Hop Athlete Contract at the first practice.
