I hate almost everything about summer swim team

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're at a pool in Potomac and OPs experience has not been mine at all. This is our first year at this pool. Everyone has been kind, inclusive, and welcoming. This extends to my 5 year old who desperately wants to be on the team except he can't swim the length of the pool and I can't get him out of camp early enough to participate in the pre-team.

The coaches made him an "ass't coach". In real terms, he is a gopher. But he loves being a part of the team even if he isn't actually swimming. Those are his friends and he cheers each and everyone of them on. I love that they found a place for him on the team. He is included in the pep rally's, the sleep overs, Pump It Up night, etc.

As for the parents, I haven't found them to be cliquey at all. Everyone is very friendly and kind. I volunteer to help at the meets so perhaps that has integrated me faster than otherwise would happen.

+1 We are at a pool in Potomac as well and we have found for our just okay most "B" meet swimmer a great team that is very inclusive and does lots of activities where everyone feels welcome. You get out of it what you put in.

[Anonymous]

Anyone know anything about Chevy chase recreation association (CCRA)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also dislike the culture among the parents. It feels a lot like a fraternity and sorority.

+ 1

I didn't realize joining a community pool was going to be like going back to high school, and that my perfectly nice non-team member child would be on the social dud list. This is just so fucking weird and cliched. Can't wait to get away from this $700 summer of watching a bunch of little snots and their nasty parents hang out together.

Oh no what pool is this? We are new to suburbs and new to community pools. Is this what happens?

I did my time as a swim parent and after morning swim practice, weekend and week nights spent at swim meets, team socials....my kids had their fill of swimming and didn't go to the pool to just hang out like they did pre swim team. It may seem as though the swim team kids are avoiding the non swim team kids but that is truly not the case. And it's also not true that all of the swim team kids are popular "in" crowd type kids. We found that some members of the team, like anything else, could be somewhat cliquish. But there were usually enough non-cliquish parents and kids to make the experience enjoyable.

I would suggest trying it one summer with the warning that it is a time commitment and will be a big part of what you/your child do over the summer.

[Anonymous]

I am nauseated by the number of volunteers - it is said - is needed to run a swim meet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am nauseated by the number of volunteers - it is said - is needed to run a swim meet.

How many?

Why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am nauseated by the number of volunteers - it is said - is needed to run a swim meet.

Swimming is a family sport. Swim meets don't run with patent volunteers (I.e., clerk of course, stroke and turn judges, timers, meet manager, league rep, concessions). Who do you think facilitate the meets? Stay home if you are nauseated but don't complain if parents give you dirty looks when you show up for the meets and sit in the stands the entire season.

[Anonymous]

^^ meant "without parent volunteers"...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am nauseated by the number of volunteers - it is said - is needed to run a swim meet.

Most swim teams operate in the same manner. It is formulaic and well figured out. What in particular bothers you about the number of volunteers?
It is truly a lot of people once you have timers, starters, judges, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am nauseated by the number of volunteers - it is said - is needed to run a swim meet.

If you aren't happy with it, you should step up and organize the meets and show everyone how it should be done with fewer volunteers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am nauseated by the number of volunteers - it is said - is needed to run a swim meet.

How many?

Why?

45 or so. You need to set up, staff clerk of course (4 or so), stroke and turn judges plus starter/referee means about 10, timers are 3 to a lane times 6 lanes plus head timer, results needs about 8 (lots of ribbons at B meets), then clean up. There could easily be 250+ kids in a B meet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am nauseated by the number of volunteers - it is said - is needed to run a swim meet.

How many?

Why?

45 or so. You need to set up, staff clerk of course (4 or so), stroke and turn judges plus starter/referee means about 10, timers are 3 to a lane times 6 lanes plus head timer, results needs about 8 (lots of ribbons at B meets), then clean up. There could easily be 250+ kids in a B meet.

That sounds nuts. Surely, most of this could be outsourced?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am nauseated by the number of volunteers - it is said - is needed to run a swim meet.

How many?

Why?

45 or so. You need to set up, staff clerk of course (4 or so), stroke and turn judges plus starter/referee means about 10, timers are 3 to a lane times 6 lanes plus head timer, results needs about 8 (lots of ribbons at B meets), then clean up. There could easily be 250+ kids in a B meet.

That sounds nuts. Surely, most of this could be outsourced?

Only in DC would the answer be to "outsource" timing your kids swim meets. Look, swim team is not for everyone, but if you do participate help out!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am nauseated by the number of volunteers - it is said - is needed to run a swim meet.

How many?

Why?

45 or so. You need to set up, staff clerk of course (4 or so), stroke and turn judges plus starter/referee means about 10, timers are 3 to a lane times 6 lanes plus head timer, results needs about 8 (lots of ribbons at B meets), then clean up. There could easily be 250+ kids in a B meet.

That sounds nuts. Surely, most of this could be outsourced?

Most people would prefer to keep costs low instead of paying someone else to do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am nauseated by the number of volunteers - it is said - is needed to run a swim meet.

How many?

Why?

45 or so. You need to set up, staff clerk of course (4 or so), stroke and turn judges plus starter/referee means about 10, timers are 3 to a lane times 6 lanes plus head timer, results needs about 8 (lots of ribbons at B meets), then clean up. There could easily be 250+ kids in a B meet.

That sounds nuts. Surely, most of this could be outsourced?

You, as an individual parent, can certainly outsource your volunteer duties. I've never heard of any team turning away a non-parent volunteer. Send your nanny or whoever it may be. To outsource as a team, you certainly understand would be cost prohibitive.

[Anonymous]

Summer swim team is fabulous. My children love it.