Damascus Swim Team (DST)

David Schwarzenberg, President

Phone: 301-253-5096

E-mail: dstpresident@comcast.net

 

April 15, 2007

Dear Damascus Recreation Association Families,

The DST Executive Committee members would like to welcome back all returning parents and swimmers from last year and also offer a special invitation to new parents who have children from ages 5 to 18 to join the 2007 Damascus Swim Team.   We are all looking forward to a great season of competitive swim meets and fun events.  We will be competing in the “F” Division of the Montgomery County Swim League (MCSL).  In addition to the A and B swim teams, we will again offer the Porpoise pre-team for children ages 5 to 8, who can demonstrate certain basic swimming skills.

The General Membership Meeting will be on May 8th at Clearspring Elementary, it will start promptly at 7:00 PM in the All Purpose Room.  Details of the meeting are outlined below.

Coaching 

Our coaching staff this year will consist of four coaches and three coaches in training.  Our coaches offer many years of swim team coaching and aquatics training experience.  Our coaches-in-training are all students who will be on the team swimming in the 15-18 age group and provide coaching and guidance as well as team spirit.

Amethyst Tymoch, Head Coach

Kevin Beabout, Assistant Head Coach

Ashley Letterman, Assistant Coach

Ben Leach, Assistant Coach

Rachel Greene, Coach-In-Training

Tiffany Shelhorse, Coach-In-Training

Casey Jenkins, Coach-In-Training

General Meeting

The meeting will be done in three parts this year.  First, we will have brief session for all swim families where the Executive Committee and Coaches provide general information about the season and hand out the DST Handbook and Swim Team Calendar.  Next, we will conduct swimmer registration and snack bar and volunteer sign-up.  Numbered tickets will be given out to people as they arrive at the meeting to insure a fair and organized sign-up.  Last, we will have a question and answer session for new families who want more detailed information about the swim season. 

Registration

Please bring the following to registration (Also available at the May 8^th General Meeting)

• Filled out registration form          
• Completed volunteer form
• Signed swimmers code-of-conduct form
• Check for the registration fee
• Separate Check for $100.00 post-dated September 7^th 2007 for volunteer obligations fulfillment.  The Treasurer will hold these checks until the Volunteer Obligations and Snack Bar duty have been met. Checks will be cashed, destroyed, or returned upon request, after verification of the completed obligations.  If you are unable to perform your scheduled volunteer obligations, it is up to you to find a replacement or risk forfeiting your deposit.

The registration fee this year will remain at $65 per swimmer.  All fees must be paid at or prior to the meeting on May 8^th, 2007.  For those members who cannot make it to the meeting, please send a check to:     

DST c/o Bill Stansell

10408 Windfall Court

Damascus, MD 20872

Each swim team family has to be a member in good standing of the Damascus Recreation Association before swimmers may participate at their first DST practice.  Members may register by mail but no registration form will be accepted without  a signed swimmers code-of-conduct, and dues payment made out to the Damascus Swim Team.  Volunteer assignments for those who register before the general meeting will be made at a later date.  Any registration post marked after May 8^th or submitted by other means after May 8th must include a $20 late fee per swimmer.   Refunds will not be administered after June 9th - no exceptions. If a refund is warranted, it will be prorated from the first day of DST practice.

Volunteer Obligations

As the veteran swim families know, it takes approximately 45 volunteers to run a successful home meet.  Based on the numbers of volunteers needed this year, parents must work 4 obligations per swimmer with a maximum number of 12 per family.  Also, each swim team and porpoise family must run the snack bar for one afternoon during the summer.   With your cooperation, meets will run smoothly and be fun and safe for everyone.

Practice Times and Dates

Evening Practices    During School: May 29 to June 15 Monday - Friday

           13-18:             3:30 - 4:45PM

            9-12:             4:45 - 5:45PM

    8 & Under:             5:45 - 6:30PM

Morning Practices   June 18 to Season End: Monday - Friday

13-18:           7:45 - 9:00 AM

  9-12:           9:00 - 10:00 AM

    8 & Under:           10:00 - 10:45 AM

Evening Practices   Starting June 19

            All Age Groups except Pre-Team: Tuesday and Thursday 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

• The Porpoise Pre-Team will begin practice on Monday, June 18

Other Important Dates

• Time Trials -------  Saturday, June 9^th – 8:00 AM Warm Up, 9:00 AM Meet Begins

(Every swimmer must have a time prior to their first meet. Times will not be obtained prior to Time Trials. Swimmers missing Time Trials must make special arrangements, outside of practice, to obtain a time.)

• First A Meet ------  Saturday, June 16^th vs. Calverton (Away)
• First B Meet ------  Wednesday, June 20th vs. Hallowell (Home)

Note: All 10 & under swimmers must have a Coach's approval prior to swimming breaststroke or butterfly in any meet.

• DST apparel will be available for purchase at the General Membership Meeting. We will have a new suit design for the 2007 season and a swimsuit sizing will be available for anyone who wants to order a new suit at the meeting.

I look forward to seeing you at the General Membership Meeting.

David Schwarzenberg, President, DST Executive Committee