State College YMCA Swim Team Information
Practice Schedule for the 2025-2026 Season:
Blue 4:15-6:15 M/F, 4-6 T/W/R, Sat 9-11 (Start Date 9/2/2025)
White 7:15-8:45 M,7-8:30 T/R, 6:45-8:15 W, Fri 4:15-6:15, Sat 9-11 (Start Date 9/2/2025)
Pride 6:15-7:15 M, 6-7 T/R,6:45-7:15 F, Sat 11-12 (Start Date 9/2/202)
Cubs 3:30-4:15 M, 6-6:45 W, 6:15-6:45 F, Sat 12-12:45 (Start Date 9/2/2025)
Parent Orientation Night:
New to the Swim Team: September TBD
Returning to the Swim Team: September TBD
Location: State College YMCA
Equipment Required:
All specific gear items are listed in our Team Store for easy ordering. https://djsports.com/teams/scay
Blue & White: one-piece practice suit, goggles, mesh equipment bag, fins, snorkel, kickboard, buoy, and
hand paddles
Pride: one-piece practice suit, goggles, mesh equipment bag, fins, snorkel, kickboard, and buoy
Cubs: one-piece practice suit, goggles, mesh equipment bag, fins, snorkel, and kickboard
Team Uniform:
The swimmers’ Registration Fee ($135) will cover their uniform: a Competitive Arena Suit (wear for meets only), two Caps, and two Team
T-shirts.
We will have a suit try-on in September. It is essential to try on a suit before ordering a size. All team suits
are customized and non-refundable.
Team uniforms should be worn to meets. These are high-quality suits, but all suits can stretch out over
time due to excessive use. Swimmers should wear other suits to practice.
Parking
During practice, you can park and walk your swimmers into the pool area or drop them off at the Front
Entrance using the Circle drop-off lane. All Cub swimmers should be checked into the building by a
parent. Please do not Park and leave your car at the front entrance or park long-term in this spot. Be
mindful that there are a lot of swimmers walking to and from vehicles in the Y lot. Their safety is our
number one priority! Carpooling is a fantastic idea!!!
*Parking can be tight during home meets. However, additional parking is available at South Hills behind
the pickleball courts.
Staying to watch practice
On the first night of practice, parents of new swimmers are encouraged to walk their child onto
the pool deck and introduce themselves and their swimmer(s) to the coach on deck. After the
introduction process, please have your swimmer sit with the others and proceed to the
Observation Area in the Lobby. No parents will be allowed to remain on the deck during practice.
Restrooms and Changing Areas for Swimmers
A hallway connects two locker rooms/bathrooms to the swim deck, where swimmers can change if
necessary. Most swimmers wear their suits to and from practice.
Team Website- www.gomotionapp.com/team/ymca-5938/page/home
Please visit our webpage and familiarize yourself with it. You will use this to sign up for meets and
reference important information throughout the season. Check out the Calendar Tab to keep up with all
upcoming meetings, practices, and events.
Team Facebook Page- SCAY Aqualions Swim Team
If you are on Facebook, take a moment to request to be a member of our closed group page, SCAY
Aqualions Swim Team. We use this page as an additional form of communication. As a member, you may
share photos of your swimmers and our team, traffic alerts, and anything positive!
There is a private group for parents as well to answer question etc. Please search for SCAY Aqualions Private Parent Group.
2025-2026 Team Handbook
The Team Handbook will be available later this fall and will be published on the Team Website.
Please carefully read the handbook, which explains the procedures, rules, and expectations for swimmers
and parents, whether you are returning or new. After reading, kindly sign the acknowledgment page at the
end of the handbook and return it.
Apparel Vendor: D&J Sports
• Our team exclusively uses D&J Sports as our uniform apparel and equipment vendor! They handle our
Arena Sponsorship contract, and only orders placed through the team site or the physical store are
counted towards our sponsorship team rewards.
• D&J Sports has created our team website page (https://djsports.com/teams/scay) offering everything
your swimmer will need. All the prices on our team page reflect our 20% off MSRP team price. Watch our team store for specal 50th anniversary items this fall!
• There is a physical store located at 234 Market Street, Lewisburg, PA 17837. D&J Sports can be
reached at 570-523-7946 or https://djsports.com/lewisburg-swim-shop *Parents,
you must speak up and let Mary Jones (the manager) know you are a SCAY team member if you visit
their store to get your 20% off in person.*
• We are an exclusive ARENA-sponsored and contracted team. The more ARENA apparel and equipment
you/we purchase from D&J Sports, the more ARENA will give back to our team and coaches. All the
apparel and equipment on our team page will be ARENA only.
SCAY Spirit Wear 2025
We will have a Fall Family Spirit Wear Order through Happy Valley Tees this year for families to purchase
Spirit Wear to show team spirit and as a fundraiser for the team. We will be sending out the Ordering Link this fall!
You can purchase Backpacks, Warm-Ups, Parkas, and more on our official D&J Team Website
year-round.
SCAY Team Hotel Information
Blocks of rooms will be available for Districts, States, and Nationals. More Information to come!
Cenkey League Swimming Officials
We are in immediate need of Cenkey Swimming Officials. If you want to learn more or become an
Official, please contact Jenn Werle ([email protected]) ASAP, as we would like to start this process.
Officials have the BEST seat in the house. You get to watch all races and be a part of the action. We can
only run dual or invitational meets with enough certified volunteers and help. The AquaLions Parent Committee
covers each course's cost and gives you a custom white shirt. Please consider helping with this critical
need!
2025 - 2026 Family Service Hour (Volunteer) Requirements
SCAY families earn their service hours by working in various meet staff positions at swim meets that we
host and, to a lesser extent, by working as lane timers at swim meets that we attend (hosted by other
teams). Additionally, service hours can be earned by helping the team in various roles, such as Meet
Officials, Practice Group Parent Reps, and Parent Board Members.
1 Swimmer = 3 Service Hours
2+ Swimmers = 5 Service Hours (max.)
Members have until the end of their highest-level swimmer’s season to earn service hours. If the
full obligation is not met, hours not worked are billed at a rate of $50 PER HOUR and will be
charged automatically to members at the end of said season.
*If your swimmer attends meets hosted by other teams, especially championship-level meets, you will be
expected to volunteer as a lane timer, whether you owe service hours or not.
CENKEY League Website- https://www.gomotionapp.com/team/ymcapa/page/links1
CENKEY YMCA Swim League – Swim League that includes Clearfield, State College, River Valley,
Brookville, Clarion, Ridgway, Juniata Valley, DuBois, and East Lycoming
Frequently Asked Questions
Which payments go to the YMCA, and which go to AquaLions ParentBoard?
Swim Fees to join a practice group (paid monthly, yearly, or per 6 months) go directly to the YMCA.
The fee covers swim time, coaches, and lifeguards.
The Registration Fee goes to the AquaLions ParentBoard and covers each swimmer’s uniform
(Competition Suit, 2 Caps, and 2 Team Shirts)
The Fundraising Proceeds go to the AquaLions Parent Board. The funds allow us to pay for swimmer
entry fees for Champs and other meets, the End-of-Season Banquet, swimmer awards, coaches' gifts,
scholarships for swimmers in need, officials' training, and various other needs throughout the season.
We will have a Swim-A-Thon as our primary fundraiser for the year; additional smaller fundraisers are
being identified. Concessions sales, spirit wear sales, and local business sponsorships are several
methods utilized to reach our $20,000 fundraising goal this year!!!
Families are responsible for any other expenses you may incur during the season (event fees for
invitationals, travel fees, spirit wear, equipment, etc.). Meet fee balances will be due on the first of each
month.
Are there payment plans?
Most YMCA swim teams require payment upfront. However, the State College Area YMCA registration
has a monthly payment plan option.
What is placed in the swimmer’s folder, and where are they located?
Each family will have a file folder within the swim team filing cabinet. Paperwork not emailed, and awards
will be placed in the swimmer/family’s folder. Swimmers should check these folders regularly. The filing
cabinet is located in the main lobby of the YMCA, near the observation window - just look for the SCAY
sign.
What is USA Swimming, and how do I register?
USA Swimming is the National Governing Body for swimming in the United States.
They promote the culture of swimming by creating safe and healthy opportunities for athletes
and coaches of all backgrounds to participate and advance in the sport through clubs, events, and
education. Their membership comprises swimmers of every age and ability, all the way
up to the Olympic Team, as well as coaches, officials, and volunteers. By becoming a member, your
swimmers’ times will be recorded in a national database that you and others can view, and the swimmers
will be able to participate in USA Swimming meets.
If you sign up for a USA Swimming Membership, you can create a link to your membership
record and have access to many additional features.
• Personalized information on the My Deck Pass page
• Free access to member portions of the site
• Member discounts at the online store (when offered)
You can sign your swimmer up for a membership at
https://omr.usaswimming.org/omr/welcome/5585989014B847
This link will take you directly to our team site to renew or register with us for the first time. If you are
coming from another team where you held the USA membership, please also complete the
transfer form on the USA site before the first swim meet. For current USA swimmers, you will have to
renew before the end of the year, and please make sure you link your account to your current account.
USA registration and payment will be the individual's responsibility.
Practice Group Parent Rep
Purpose: To bring together the team, share information with fellow parents, and help assimilate new
families
Structure: One parent from each practice group will act as a Parent Representative.
Role and Responsibilities:
● Email practice group at the beginning of the season to make an introduction and offer availability
to answer questions, especially for new parents
● Attend any new parent meetings or socials as scheduled by the AquaLion Parent Board
● Be available in the YMCA lobby at a minimum of two practices per week during the first four
weeks of practice to answer parent questions, especially concerning how to sign up for meets
● Be available at the Inter-Squad and first SCAY-hosted meets to answer parent questions. There
will be a parent coffee hour at the Inter-Squad meet.
● Be prepared to reach out to new families who join during the season to ensure that they are
personally welcomed and have all the information that was provided to parents at the start of the
season
● Pick up team store orders from the Apparel Coordinator for distribution at practice. Set a
distribution schedule that can be communicated to parents to ensure timely pickup of orders
● Organize practice group social events (1-2 per season) and plan to assist with other team
functions, such as the Parent Orientation, SCAY End-of-Year Banquet, and other events from
time to time
● Before meets, send out meet-specific tips to the group and assist with planning team spirit/social
events at select championship meets
● Serve as liaison between the Volunteer Coordinator – make sure group members understand
how to sign up for jobs and check their service hours balance
● Receive email updates and information from board members and communicate with the practice
group as needed.
Service Hours: The Practice Group Parent Representatives will fulfill their service hour obligations for the
season by serving in this role.
Interested? Contact: Jenn Werle - [email protected]
