Locker Room Policy

No one under the age of 16 is allowed to use the adult locker rooms. There are four family changing rooms located in the hallway, plus bathrooms both in the hallway and at the side entrance. There are also standing showers on the pool deck for swimmer use. We encourage swimmers to change quickly to allow teammates to use the changing rooms in a reasonable amount of time. Parents are expected to supervise their children during changing times to prevent inappropriate behavior. The entrance door into the changing room area is to remain open at all times. It is not the responsibility of the aquatic staff, coaching staff, or front desk staff to monitor the family changing room area. Inappropriate behavior will result in a coach or aquatic director speaking with a parent. If the behavior continues, changing room privileges may be revoked.

Refund Policy and Makeup Days

The YMCA will not refund program fees unless the participant is unable to attend due to medical reasons or special circumstances. Swim meet registration is non-refundable. No program refund or transfer will be made after the session has started. See below for makeup policy due to inclement weather.

Inclement Weather

Practice will be held as scheduled during light rain. If rain is heavy enough that the lifeguard cannot see the bottom of the pool, swimmers will exit the pool and hold a dryland workout until the rain subsides. Swimming is not permitted for 20 minutes after thunder, but dryland can be held on the pool deck for that period of time. Swimming is not permitted for 30 minutes after lightning and swimmers are not allowed on the pool deck during that time. Dryland will be held in another location in the Y facility during this time until practice can resume. A member of the coaching staff will contact each participant via Facebook, email, or the phone number provided during registration if practice needs to be canceled due to anticipated severe weather. Because the YMCA has facility use, coaches will make their best effort to offer a dryland work out if this is the situation as we do not offer makeup days for rain, thunder, or lightning.

Parent Observation Policy

We do not require parents to stay on the pool deck, but parents of swimmers under the age of 11 need to stay in the facility or have another guardian at the facility. Parents of children over the age of 12 need not stay in the facility, but the coach must have a good contact number in case of an emergency. Parents are encouraged to watch children during practice from a designated area and must refrain from interacting with the child during practice time. It is crucial that the coach is allowed to do the coaching.

Swim Etiquette

Members of the swim team will learn the basics of swim team etiquette, including how to wait for 5 seconds after the swimmer in front has left the wall, how to circle swim, how to pass a swimmer, and how to use a pace clock. You may observe coaches spending significant amounts of time on some of these concepts because swimming is more than a sport, but an opportunity to grow into respectful teammates and human beings.

Every member of the coaching staff will treat each child with respect, kindness, and appreciation for their unique and personal qualities. We train our staff to implement various discipline and redirection techniques with the child's positive self-esteem in mind. Positive reinforcement for desired behavior is practiced at all times. A "time out" may be used to allow the child to regain his or her composure. If the child exhibits continuous disruptive behavior, the staff will complete an incident form detailing the event. This requires a parent or guardian signature. If the behavior shows little or no improvement, the aquatics director or coach will speak with the parent to discuss the situation. Repeated negative behaviors may result in suspension or dismissal from the program.  

Negative behaviors include (but are not limited):

• bullying
• uncooperative behavior (not following coach directions)
• inappropriate use of cell/camera phone
• not accepting responsibility for his/her actions
• obscenity
• possession of a dangerous instrument

How to Sign Up:

• Meet information is typically sent out 2-3 weeks prior to the meet date.
• Register and choose events through the website. Coach allows each individual to choose their own events and is always willing to provide input.

Fees:

• Meet fees are in addition to monthly dues. 
• Each meet charges swimmers an entry fee at the host team's discretion, and the YMCA charges an additional coaches fee to pay for the coach's (or coaches') time on deck. 
• Once all entries have been approved by the coach and submitted to the host team, the meet fees will be then submitted to the branch executive for processing. At this point, each account will be charged the meet fees and families can pay the fee at the front desk. Meet fees will not be on your account until at least two days after registration has closed.
• There are no refunds for meet entries. Once a swimmer has committed to the meet, their account will be charged for all required meet fees. This includes both the entry fee and a coaching fee.

What to Bring:

• SWIM GEAR: Swimmers are required to bring their choice of suit, goggles, a team cap (one cap will be provided upon swimmers' first meet attendance. Additional caps can be purchased from the YMCA: $4 for latex and $14 for silicone), and team shirt. 
• During cold months, swimmers should bring warm clothes and/or parkas to keep warm. During warm months, swimmers are encouraged to bring sunscreen and loose clothing.
• TOWELS: Swimmers are encouraged to also bring 1-2 towels and extra clothing to wear during their downtime. 
• SNACKS: While concessions are provided at most meets, swimmers are encouraged to bring water/sports drinks, fruits or vegetables, and other healthy and easily digestible snacks.
• CHAIRS: Families are encouraged to bring folding chairs and canopies (if available) to our outdoor meets. This includes Newberry as a Y meet and any of our summer league meets. 
• DOWNTIME ENTERTAINMENT: Blankets and water-safe activities are also encouraged. We discourage the use of electronic devices at meets as they are easy to get wet or lost/stolen.
• SHARPIES: Always bring a Sharpie to mark events on swimmers' arms or legs. The marker is unable to come off in the water, so it is the preferred method to help swimmers remember their events. Coaches and other parents are also reliable if you do forget to pack one.

Day of the Meet:

• Where/When to Report: Meet warm-ups are assigned within a few days of the meet. A coach will email parents meet warm-up times and lane assignments. 
• Coaches will inform swimmers of their heat and lane assignments at the meet so that parents can mark their swimmer's arm.
• Heat Sheets can be purchased at each meet. Heat Sheets give heat and lane assignments for all events.
• Coaches will be watching swimmers at the meets, so swimmers must pay attention and line up for their events when necessary. 

Championship Meet Requirements

Any swimmer that wishes to attend a USA Championship meet (USA State, Age Group Sectionals) must be registered with USA Swimming and meet the time standard requirements at a meet that is USA sanctioned.

Any swimmer that wishes to attend CYSL Championships (championship meet for YMCA teams) must attend a minimum of 2 YMCA sanctioned meets.

To qualify for YMCA Regionals, a swimmer must meet the time standard requirements and also attend a minimum of 2 YMCA sanctioned meets.