Columbia Swim Club New Parent FAQ
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At CSC, we are committed to providing the best possible competitive swimming experience for your child. Please take time to read these Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about our club.
What are the goals for young swimmers?
Our goal is to provide young swimmers high quality coaching and technique work to give them a base to be the best swimmer they can be all in a fun and exciting environment. Becoming a great swimmer is a lot of fun at CSC.
Do you work on stroke technique?
Our emphasis at CSC is on excellent stroke technique and in the beginning levels most of practice time is spent on improving and learning strokes, as well as learning all the elements needed to be a competitive swimmer such as starts, turns and racing techniques. Coaches frequently get into the pool to work with swimmers and to demonstrate technique.
Are we expected to attend meets?
CSC hosts several meets per year at the MU Aquatic Center and Hickman Pool and attends out of town meets that are generally in the Kansas City and St. Louis area. For the Little Tiger Sharks swimmers just starting in the club the coaches, parents and swimmer will work together to decide when they are ready to attend a meet. For those in Age Group White and higher level groups, attendance at home meets is expected and at least one travel meet is strongly encouraged. Swimmers should attend any championship meet they qualify for.
How many practices a week are required swimmer attend?
Attendance at all practices is not mandatory but attending as many practices as possible is encouraged in order to achieve the best swimming results
What are the expectations for parents of swimmers?
Parents are expected to provide positive support and encouragement for their swimmer outside of the pool while letting the coach guide the swimming experience at the pool. Through support and confidence in the CSC program, parents will give their children the opportunity to be the best possible swimmer. Families are also required to provide volunteer hours for the club to help with the 5 meets we host per year. You will receive a volunteer packet after you register that outlines expectations and number of hours needed.
Other Fees and Fundraising
New Member Fee: $25 per swimmer plus your USA Swimming membership fee (ranges from $20 to $80 depending on membership type). The $25 fee is billed when you register online and your USA Swimming membership fee will be billed with your 1st monthly billing.
Meet Costs: Meets range from $15 - $50 per meet.
Annual Fundraising goals: CSC has an annual fundraising expectation of $200 per family. This can be achieved in three different ways.
- You can make a donation that is automatically billed each month.
- You can participate in fundraising activities throughout the year including sponsoring events at meets for your child, participating in the Wacky Race fundraiser and Silent Auction, and more.
- You can donate some online and participate in some fundraising events to mix up how funds are raised. For example, you can sponsor an event in the fall, donate online in the Winter, participate in the Wacky Races in the Spring - lots of options!
- We have a SCRIP program, where you buy gift cards to all kinds of places you usually go (grocery stores, restaurants, etc.) and for every gift card bought, CSC gets a percentage back. This program is a way you can raise your funds without additional cost to you!
Multi-Swimmer Discount: Families with more than one child swimming will be subject to the following discounts: 1st child: Full price, 2nd child: $5 discount/month; 3rd child: $25 discount/month 4th or more: $41.60 discount/mo.
More for your money at CSC.
It is important to know that the fees you pay for your child's activity are worth it. Here are some reasons why CSC offers a great deal for the fees you pay.
1) Pool rental and other facility related charges. One of the most expensive aspects of swimming is renting the pool space. Because of excellent partnerships between the City of Columbia and University of Missouri we get to train at two of the best pools in the State for a reasonable cost as well as host world class meets. We are fortunate to have some of the lowest swim fees in the area while training in the best pools.
2) Coaching Staff. Our coaching staff has many years of experience on the pool deck. Assistant and group coaches all have experience ranging from coaching experience at other teams to swim lessons to provide a wide variety of knowledge and teaching skills. The club also employs several fulltime coaches to better serve the atheletes and membership. All coaches follow a rigorous training protocol required by USA Swimming and teach using positive coaching techniques.
