Practice begins September 25th for the 2023-2024 Short Course Season.  Swimmers may join the team until October 27^th, however it is appreciated if you declare their intent to swim ASAP.     

• All new and returning families need to be familiar with the information on our website, www.bhgoldswimming.com.

• Parents must attend a mandatory parent meeting Oct 19^th or 30^th at 6:30 or swimmers will not be permitted to continue practicing. This is required for new and returning families, regardless of if your swimmer has begun practice yet. Parents are encouraged to set up an individual meeting between coaches, parents and swimmers during the first month of practice to discuss expectations and set goals.

• Black Hills Gold Swimming expects a level of commitment and active participation of all parents.  There are many areas where volunteers are needed. Every family is required to volunteer at our home meets.

• All swimmers are expected to compete in 2 meets during the season and a state meet at the end of the season.  The state meet will be a travel meet.  Please see the calendar on the website for these dates and locations.

• Communication from the team comes primarily through email and BAND.  It is up to each family to make sure they are on they are on the lists and receiving this information.

• Per USA swimming insurance and club policy anyone that is not a certified coach is not allowed to work with the swimmers.  Parents and other spectators are welcome to observe practice from the balcony or outside the glass doors.

• Please check the websites calendar the last week of each month for the followings months final schedule, as changes may occur as the season progresses.

• Each swimmer is responsible for a mandatory club fee of $325. (This is in addition to practice dues.) The family maximum is $600. The team has several fundraising options available that does not require door to door sales. If you would rather opt out of fundraising, you may pay an additional fee to the team. Fundraising obligations are due in full by the end of January – any outstanding fundraising will be added to your regular February invoice.

• During practice times swimmers are under the supervision of coaches in the pool and on the pool deck only.  The locker rooms are not supervised unless the coaches are notified of a problem.  As almost all of our behavior problems happen in the locker rooms, It is highly recommended that swimmer arrive to practice and leave in their suits whenever possible. All personal items should be on the pool deck during practice – No personal items should ever be left in the locker rooms.

• Coaches have no way of knowing which swimmers are dropped off for practice on a given day and therefore cannot alert parents to their absence. Coaches are not responsible for athlete’s attendance.   Attendance is taken daily and can be accessed on the website.  

• All fees due to Black Hills Gold Swimming are due in a timely manner. Payment options are monthly or annually and should be arranged with the BHG Treasurer at one of the parent meetings.  If paying monthly, a credit or debit card must be on file to be automatically charged. If paying seasonally, fees will be paid in one lump sum by check at the parent meeting or online by credit/debit card by Nov 1^st.    All meets registered for must be paid for at the time of registration.  If any fees are outstanding past 30 days swimmers will not be allowed to practice or sign up for meets.

• Swimmers  should not arrive at the Young Center prior to 5:20  PM and MUST be picked up within 10 minutes of their practice time being over.  Pool space and coaches are limited. Practice time are as follows:

Golden Nuggets: 

Mon/Tues/Thurs

 5:30-6:15, Free time until 6:25

Age Group 1:

Mon – Thurs 5:30-6:30, Free time until 6:40

Age Group 2:           

Mon-Thurs 5:30-7:00

Sr/Sr Prep:             

Mon – Thurs 5:30-7:30

Dryland Tues/Thurs 4:45 – 5:30 (Starting late Oct/early Nov.)