FAQ
How much does it cost to join the Soleco Stingrays swim team?
Team Membership: $95.00 per child plus $50 Fundraising Purchase of FIVE $10 Ecco Domani gift cards ($100 maximum per family) OR a $20 Fundraising Buyout ($40 maximum per family).
Summer Splash registration fees are included in the team dues and the fundraising dollars will help support team equipment and an end of the year gift for the swimmers.
Pool Membership (must be paid at time of team registration; required for insurance purposes):
Family Membership: $300.00
-or-
Individual membership: $100.00 per child
What is the parent commitment?
The summer swim team experience and participating in swim meets is a FAMILY AFFAIR. Being a Stingrays parent is a lot of fun and a great way to know other Stingrays families. PARENTS run the swim meets. We don't bring in hired professionals--and the result is a true family gathering. It takes 35-40 parent volunteers to run 1 swim meet. Your child will thank you for being involved in their swim team experience!
Each family will be required to volunteer at least two times for dual meets and once for Summer Splash (based on number of swimmers; volunteer commitment is subject to change). In addition, each family is asked to bring a food item to 3 of our home meets (2 dual and Summer Splash). Sign ups will be held at registration.
Do I need to buy my swimmer a team suit?
Team swimsuits are not required, although we recommend purchasing one for your child as it helps foster team spirit. The 2015 team swimsuits suits are available at D&J Sporting Goods, Weis Shopping Center, Coopersburg.
D&J will be attending first day of practice to purchase suits, goggles and accessories.
Is my son or daughter eligible for swim team?
Swimmers must be six years of age, as of June 1, up to the summer of senior year in high school. In addition, coaches will evaluate new swimmers and returning pre-swim team swimmers, time and place to be determined. All swimmers must be able to swim 25 meters (one length of the pool) of at least freestyle and backstroke. Coaches will determine this eligibility.
Do I need to come to every practice?
Attendance is mandatory for all scheduled practices. Swimming practice will begin promptly. Please plan to arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled practice time and be ready to enter the water at your starting time. Children should be picked up with 15 minutes of the end of their practice.
Can I miss a practice?
Swimmers will be allowed to miss practices only if approved by coaches. Please record any excused absences in the logbook (camps, vacations, etc). Attendance at practice the day of a meet is required in order to participate in the meet; exceptions are made if the coaches are notified prior to the practice.
How often will my child swim in a meet?
Each swimmer on the team will be entered in as many events as possible in a meet with due consideration given to the swimmer’s ability to swim the stroke. Other factors also play a part in which events a swimmer swims. Remember, the coach’s job is to supervise the entire swimming program; therefore, she/he has the final decision regarding which events a swimmer will enter in a swim meet.
Do I need to attend swim meets if I am not swimming?
Swimmers are expected to attend swim meets, regardless of whether they are swimming.
What if I can't attend a meet?
Meet line-ups are done in advance and we need to know as soon as possible whether or not your child is going to be participating.
Swimmers/families must sign up for meets via Team Snap. If a swimmer is scheduled to swim and does not show up for that meet, they will not be entered in the next swim meet - no exceptions! Please communicate last minute illnesses or emergencies to the coaches via text message/email.
Do I need to stay for the whole meet?
Swimmers must remain with the team during the entire meet, in the designated area only! We do not want to have to look for anyone during a meet. All swimmers should be with the team until the end of the meet, even if they are finished swimming. WE ARE A TEAM!
What if my son/daughter would like to swim a different event during a meet?
Please write it in the logbook. Efforts will be made to honor these requests, within reason.
Will my swimmer participate in Post Season competition?
Championships will depend on the following five criteria:
1) Times 2) Attitude 3) Consistency 4) Work Ethic 5) Attendance the week prior to Championships. Coaches will have final say on these decisions!
Best of the Rest — Any swimmer not competing in 3 or more events in Championships may swim at Best of the Rest in any event other than what they are swimming at Championships.
How will the coaches communicate to the team?
All communications from coaches such as cancellations, time changes, etc. will be communicated via website postings and TWITTER. It is very important that you read and follow the instructions to sign up for TWITTER alerts on your phone (you do not have to sign up for TWITTER).
Each family will have a folder located in a bin labeled "Soleco Ribbons & Mail". Make sure you or your child checks your folder at least twice a week for all important information from the coaches and board (ribbons, picture information, etc).
How do I communicate with the coaches?
Communication to the coaches can take place through the use of the logbook. PLEASE do not attempt to engage with the coaches on deck during practice. Last minute absences may be communicated via text message or email.
How many swim meets are there, and how long do they last?
Our team is part of the Suburban Swim League, and there are eight teams in the league. The swim meet schedule and directions to the away meets can be found on the website. The League determines the schedule and rotates the meets, so that the meets we swam at home the previous year are away this year, and vice versa. Meets usually last about three hours, not including driving time.
What time should we arrive for meets?
Swimmers should arrive by 4:45 pm
Warm-up slot 5:00-5:30 pm
Away Meets:
Swimmers should arrive by 5:15 pm
Warm-up slot 5:30-5:55 pm
What if my child is sick on the day of a meet?
If a swimmer becomes ill on the day of the meet, please call/text coach.
What do I need to bring to meets?
The following is a suggested checklist for swimmers to bring to meets:
At least two towels (perhaps a blanket or extra towels to sit on)
Goggles (at least two pair... they break easily and get lost often!!)
Swim cap (for girls, some boys also use these)
Flip-flops
Water bottle(s)
Cards, music, book, etc. (Swim meets last about 3 hours and the kids need something to help pass the time)
Healthy snacks or money for the snack stand
Do I need to volunteer at meets?
In order to successfully run a summer swim team program, as well as offer the best possible season to our swimmers, parent volunteer participation is crucial. Swimming is a sport that requires a significant amount of "hands on" time.
- The SOELCO Board meets monthly from October through February and bi-weekly March through September in order to prepare for the upcoming season. Interested parties should contact the board via email.
- Home meets require a minimum of 72 volunteers from our team, as well as volunteers from the away team. At home meets, our parent volunteers line up swimmers for events, time, write out meet ribbons, and work at the snack stand.
- Away meets require a minimum of 21 volunteers, primarily to time, score, and line-up.
- Volunteers also assist with SOLECO's annual fundraiser, Summer Splash.
Our goal is to have the majority of parents participate---it is a great way to meet other parents as well as support your swimmers. As a team, we need to provide as much cross-training as possible so that the team has flexibility in filling positions, especially when emergencies arise. Through increased volunteer involvement, we can also ensure that the team retains its knowledge base, especially when "experienced" parents move on as their swimmers leave the team.
We have found it necessary for each family sign up for at least 2 jobs and 2 food donations this year. In addition, Summer Splash requires one job and one food donation.
end faq
