Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Find Special Olympics Near Me
We are helping to make the world a better, healthier and more joyful place—one athlete, one volunteer, one family member at a time.
Your Program
Based on your location, your local program is %location%.
Your location could not be automatically determined. Choose a program below:
Your Special Olympics Local Program:
Looking for a different local program? Choose a program from the list below:
UnifiedSports_Blue.png
Unified Sports
Let’s Go Together and Discover Nature
Christina Sourla
Christina
Theodora
Theodora
Region
Europe/Eurasia
Program
Hellas (Greece)
Project Year
2023
Let’s Go Together and Discover Nature is a Greek youth-led project using hiking, survival skills, and team games to foster inclusion, confidence, and environmental awareness among youth with and without intellectual disabilities.

About the Project

Let’s Go Together and Discover Nature was an outdoor education and inclusion initiative in Alexandroupoli, Greece, where youth with and without intellectual disabilities participated in hiking, survival skills, and team-building activities. The project brought together Special Olympics athletes, scouts, and local students to learn from nature and each other.

The Inspiration

Youth leaders Christina and Theodora were inspired by their shared love of nature and the joy of Unified Sports to design a project that would build friendships and confidence in a natural setting. They believed that fostering respect for the environment and inclusion go hand in hand in shaping future generations.

The Project

Participants explored local trails, learned first-aid skills, and practiced working as a team through cooperative games and survival scenarios. Despite local challenges, including a devastating wildfire, the group adapted and continued to meet, share, and grow together.

Project Impact

The project engaged 18 athletes and 35 youth without ID, expanded programming in one school, launched two new Unified Schools, and created one Unified Sports Club. It also introduced three new youth leaders and led to lasting partnerships with schools and the community.

Project Leader Reflection

The leaders were proud of turning their idea into reality and overcoming early nerves to lead activities confidently. They formed deep connections with participants and were inspired by the way their community came together around inclusion and the outdoors.