Tips for First Day of Practice
- Arrive at the pool at least 5 minutes before your practice time (see Calendars tab). Make your way to the lap lane end of the pool and listen for your age group to be called. Parents, we will have a SWIM TEAM ATHLETES ONLY area for the swimmers to store their towels and gear and wait for their age group practice to begin. We ask that you set up your chairs and belongings outside of that section to keep it clear for swimmers and coaches to work and transition between groups.
- Pack hoodies and sweatpants. The pool water takes some time to warm up, so the first few practices will be chilly.
- Give the coaches space to work and our swimmers space to learn. We have seating in the pavilion and under the pergola at the lap lane end of the pool, but feel free to spread out to the rest of the pool deck as your swimmer practices. The kids will likely be out of the pool for some portion of their practices, so they will need deck space for that, too.
- Come visit us at the Swim Team table during your child's practice. We will have Orioles' Night tickets for sale, as well as team swim caps

Q: How much of a time commitment is this? Will it interfere with my summer plans? 
A: This is a summer team and we understand the summer plans every family makes. Practices will be in the morning and the evening to make sure that every child can attend at their convenience. Meets will be on five Saturdays from the end of June to the end of July. Two of the meets will be in Maple Lawn with three likely to be away at other pools in the area- so traveling for practice or competition will be minimal.

Q: How good should a swimmer be before signing up?
A: We expect kids of all abilities to participate. So long as the child can swim one length of the pool they can join the team. We will have coaches that will provide instruction on all the strokes and by the end of the season your child, no matter their starting point, will have progressed to being a competitive swimmer.

Q: What is expected of parents of swimmers? Will their be volunteer requirements?
A: Successful swim teams need parent involvement. Each meet we will need starters, timers, score keepers, concession stand volunteers, stroke and turn judges, and people to help set up and break down the meet. This is a lot of people and if you sign your child up we also require that you will also make the commitment to help our team stage these events. These volunteers jobs will be discussed during the information sessions and the swim team organizing committee stands by to answer any questions you might have.

Q: What do I bring to meets?
A: Swimsuit, goggles, swimcap are a must.  Also it usually gets really hot so a lot of water and healthy snacks.  Something to keep the swimmers occupied while they wait for their event and also lawn chairs and tents help especially at away meets.