Special Olympics Young Athletes Program

Christine Estes of Scott City and her son Sammy, 3, play with a hula-hoop Wednesday, August 10, 2011 during the Special Olympics young athletes program at the Osage Centre in Cape Girardeau. Ten families attended the young athletes program, which is in it's first year in Cape Girardeau. The Special Olympics State Outdoor Championship kicks off Friday night with the opening ceremony at 6:30 in the grandstand of Arena Park and continues through Sunday. Events in the championship include golf, softball and tennis. (Laura Simon)

Penny Williams, right, cheers on Elijah Pobst, 5, as she completes the obstacle course with her brother C.J. closing in behind her with help from volunteer Sarah Mittrucker Wednesday, August 10, 2011 during the Special Olympics young athletes program at the Osage Centre in Cape Girardeau. Ten families attended the young athletes program, which is in it's first year in Cape Girardeau. The Special Olympics State Outdoor Championship kicks off Friday night with the opening ceremony at 6:30 in the grandstand of Arena Park and continues through Sunday. Events in the championship include golf, softball and tennis. (Laura Simon)

Children in the Special Olympics young athletes program race with members of their family Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at the Osage Centre in Cape Girardeau. Ten families attended the young athletes program, which is in it's first year in Cape Girardeau. The Special Olympics State Outdoor Championship kicks off Friday night with the opening ceremony at 6:30 in the grandstand of Arena Park and continues through Sunday. Events in the championship include golf, softball and tennis. (Laura Simon)

Children play with the parachute Wednesday, August 10, 2011 during the Special Olympics young athletes program at the Osage Centre in Cape Girardeau. Ten families attended the young athletes program, which is in it's first year in Cape Girardeau. The Special Olympics State Outdoor Championship kicks off Friday night with the opening ceremony at 6:30 in the grandstand of Arena Park and continues through Sunday. Events in the championship include golf, softball and tennis. (Laura Simon)

Matt Simpson and his son Joshua play ball Wednesday, August 10, 2011 during the Special Olympics young athletes program at the Osage Centre in Cape Girardeau. Ten families attended the young athletes program, which is in it's first year in Cape Girardeau. The Special Olympics State Outdoor Championship kicks off Friday night with the opening ceremony at 6:30 in the grandstand of Arena Park and continues through Sunday. Events in the championship include golf, softball and tennis. (Laura Simon)

Phoenix Chicora races across the room Wednesday, August 10, 2011 during the Special Olympics young athletes program at the Osage Centre in Cape Girardeau. Ten families attended the young athletes program, which is in it's first year in Cape Girardeau. The Special Olympics State Outdoor Championship kicks off Friday night with the opening ceremony at 6:30 in the grandstand of Arena Park and continues through Sunday. Events in the championship include golf, softball and tennis. (Laura Simon)

From left, Christine and Sammy Estes, Jason and Greyson Evans and Emma Watson play with the parachute Wednesday, August 10, 2011 during the Special Olympics young athletes program at the Osage Centre in Cape Girardeau. Ten families attended the young athletes program, which is in it's first year in Cape Girardeau. The Special Olympics State Outdoor Championship kicks off Friday night with the opening ceremony at 6:30 in the grandstand of Arena Park and continues through Sunday. Events in the championship include golf, softball and tennis. (Laura Simon)

C.J. Pobst, left, races Greyson Evans Wednesday, August 10, 2011 during the Special Olympics young athletes program at the Osage Centre in Cape Girardeau. Ten families attended the young athletes program, which is in it's first year in Cape Girardeau. The Special Olympics State Outdoor Championship kicks off Friday night with the opening ceremony at 6:30 in the grandstand of Arena Park and continues through Sunday. Events in the championship include golf, softball and tennis. (Laura Simon)

Susan Shaffer chases after Sammy Estes as he races across the room Wednesday, August 10, 2011 during the Special Olympics young athletes program at the Osage Centre in Cape Girardeau. Ten families attended the young athletes program, which is in it's first year in Cape Girardeau. The Special Olympics State Outdoor Championship kicks off Friday night with the opening ceremony at 6:30 in the grandstand of Arena Park and continues through Sunday. Events in the championship include golf, softball and tennis. (Laura Simon)

Elijah Pobst, 5, runs underneath the parachute Wednesday, August 10, 2011 during the Special Olympics young athletes program at the Osage Centre in Cape Girardeau. Ten families attended the young athletes program, which is in it's first year in Cape Girardeau. The Special Olympics State Outdoor Championship kicks off Friday night with the opening ceremony at 6:30 in the grandstand of Arena Park and continues through Sunday. Events in the championship include golf, softball and tennis. (Laura Simon)