2026 Registration Information
Welcome back, Dana Hills Otters! Please review the fee schedule, key dates, strict refund policy, and volunteer commitments below before registering.
2026 Fee Schedule
Detailed cost breakdown and mandatory fees.
| Age Group | Dana Hills Homeowner | Non Resident |
|---|---|---|
| 12 & Under (including Otter Pups) Registration: $525 Social Fee: $25 HOA Facility Fee: $135 |
$660 | $685 |
| 13 – 14 Registration: $525 HOA Facility Fee: $135 |
$635 | $660 |
| 15–18 Registration: $190 HOA Facility Fee: $135 |
$300 | $325 |
💰 Discounts
Discounts are applied during checkout (DHHA homeowner + multi-swimmer).
- Dana Hills Homeowner: -$25
- 2nd Swimmer: -$50
- 3rd Swimmer: -$75
- 4th Swimmer: -$100
Payment Options & Plans
To avoid processing fees, we recommend paying via Check, Zelle, or ACH.
📅 Monthly Payment Plan (Credit Card or ACH only)
Upon Registration: $210 deposit (Credit Card fees apply)
March: 50% of remaining balance
April: remaining balance
PRO TIP: TeamUnify may default to Credit Card at checkout. If you prefer Zelle or the ACH plan, be sure to switch the payment method during checkout.
Key Dates & Refund Timeline
Please note the strict deadlines for refunds.
●
Jan 16, 2026
Returning DHST Families Registration Opens
Online registration opens for returning members.
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Jan 23, 2026
New Families Registration Opens
Online registration opens for new families.
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Mar 2, 2026
Spring Clinic Begins
Highly recommended for all Otters (additional registration required).
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April 13, 2026
Practice Begins
See Calendar tab for the full schedule. Every swimmer must be fully registered before entering the water.
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April 20, 2026
Otter Pup Practice Begins
Otter Pup schedule begins (see Calendar tab for times).
●
April 20, 2026
75% Refund Deadline
Refund requests must be submitted in writing (email).
●
April 21–27, 2026
50% Refund Window
Written request must be received within this window.
●
April 28–May 1, 2026
30% Refund Window
Written request must be received within this window.
●
May 1, 2026
Registration Closes
No refunds after this date.
❗ CRITICAL POLICY EXCEPTION
For any age groups (typically 12 & Under) that are AT CAPACITY, there are NO REFUNDS after April 20, 2026, regardless of the standard timeline.
Refund requests must be submitted in writing to [email protected].
Volunteer Commitment & Policy
The Dana Hills Otters is a volunteer-run organization. All members must keep a Credit Card on file for volunteer/job fees. This card is only charged if requirements are not met.
Important: If fines are incurred, swimmer(s) are ineligible to participate in practices or meets until all fines are paid in full.
$1000
Family Fine (Minimum)
Charged if you fail to fulfill the total family volunteer commitment for the season.
$150
No-Show Fine
Per occurrence fine for signing up for a job and not showing up (or not finding a substitute).
$250
Pentathlon Fine
Specific fine for failing to work the Pentathlon meet (team’s largest fundraiser).
DHST 2026 Registration, Cost & Commitment FAQs
Frequently asked questions (expanded for easy printing and mobile viewing).
General Registration Questions
How can I obtain information about DHST?
Our website is filled with useful information for returning and new families. Visit the
Team Info tab for common answers. New to the team? Start with the
New Families section to learn how meets work and what to expect.
When does registration begin?
Returning DHST Families: Friday, January 16
New Families: Friday, January 23
Does DHST have a Parent Night / “Welcome to DHST” Night?
Yes. We hold a “Welcome to DHST Night” primarily geared toward new families in
April before job sign-ups open. It is
mandatory for all new families. We cover swimmer sign-in, volunteer responsibilities, team etiquette, job expectations, and how to navigate the TeamUnify website.
How long does the registration period last?
Online registration runs through
May 1, 2026. This is a firm end date for the season; we cannot re-open registration after this date.
Fees, Refunds & Financial Policies
How much is registration per swimmer?
Otter Pups – Age 12 & Under: $525 Base Fee + $135 HOA Fee + $25 Social Fee =
$685 Total
Ages 13-14: $525 Base Fee + $135 HOA Fee =
$660 Total
Ages 15–18: $190 Base Fee + $135 HOA Fee =
$325 Total
DHHA homeowners receive a
-$25 discount applied during checkout.
What if I register and my swimmer decides to drop? (Refund Policy)
Refund requests must be submitted in writing to
[email protected]. The refund schedule is based on the date the written request is received:
- 75% Refund: On or before April 20, 2026
- 50% Refund: April 21 – April 27, 2026
- 30% Refund: April 28 – May 1, 2026
- NO REFUND: After May 1, 2026
CRITICAL EXCEPTION: For any age groups (typically 12 & Under) that are at capacity, there are NO REFUNDS after April 20, 2026.
Is there a waitlist?
If a registration group is full, we may offer a waitlist requiring a
Waitlist Deposit.
- This deposit is STRICTLY NON-REFUNDABLE.
- If a spot opens and is offered to you, the deposit is applied to your registration fee.
- If a spot does not open, the deposit is forfeited to cover administrative costs.
What if my swimmer starts late or misses practice for vacation?
No pro-rated fees. Registration fees are for the full season. We do not pro-rate or discount due to a swimmer’s late start, vacations, absences, or limited participation.
How do I pay for registration?
- Check or Zelle: Accepted at no additional cost.
-
Zelle: Please submit payment to [email protected], noting the purpose of your payment (e.g., Summer Registration for "Swimmer" Family).
-
Checks: Please mail checks payable to:Dana Hills Swim Team
P.O. Box 698
Clayton, CA 94517
-
- ACH (Bank Transfer): Accepted at no additional cost.
- Credit Card: A processing fee of 3% + $0.95 will be added per transaction.
Does DHST allow payment plans?
Yes. We offer a monthly payment plan via
ACH only.
Deposit: $210 due at registration (Credit Card fees apply)
Installments: Remaining balance is drafted in two payments: one in March and one in April
Monthly payment plans do not incur transaction fees when paid via ACH.
Team Requirements & Volunteers
What are the parent volunteer requirements?
Every family is required to fulfill a volunteer commitment. Some families fulfill this by taking on full-season jobs (Board Member, Coordinator, etc.), while the rest work shifts during swim meets.
Important: All members must have a Credit Card on file for Volunteer/Job fees.
What happens if I do not complete my volunteer commitments?
The 2026 fine schedule is as follows:
- Failure to fulfill family commitment: Minimum charge of $1000
- No-show for a signed-up job: $150 fine per occurrence
- Failure to work the Pentathlon meet: $250 fine
Swimmers will be ineligible to participate in practices or meets until outstanding fines are paid.
Do “Otter Pup Only” families have a volunteer commitment?
Yes. “Otter Pup Only” families are committed to working our Pentathlon meet (our largest fundraiser), and once your swimmer is promoted to 6 & unders then a pro-rated volunteer commitment will be required for the family.
Schedule & Meets
When does practice begin?
Practice sessions begin
April 13. The full schedule is posted under the Calendar tab.
Every swimmer MUST be fully registered in our database to enter the water. No exceptions.
Are swimmers automatically entered into swim meets?
No. Families must sign swimmers into each meet via the website. You can sign up in advance for all meets or do it weekly.
What if I sign up for a meet and cannot make it?
For regular meets, a “No Swim” (NS) is acceptable if communicated. However, for Invitational Meets where DHST pays entry fees, swimmers who “No Show” without prior notification may be charged the splash fees and per-entry fees.
