USMS High Performance Camp

After having reviewed a number of the posts on the discussion of the 2011 USMS High Performance Camp, I thought it would be helpful to weigh in on some of the subjects where questions or comments were made: 1. Tina: Interested swimmers apply for the camp. There are indeed a limited number of slots. This year we had 15 campers, and after surveying the campers and coaches after the camp, the general consensus was the camp could reasonably accommodate up to 20 campers. So that will be our top-end number going forward. We are working on our application for the 2012 camp. The 2011 edition was something of a test drive for USMS. Based upon favorable reviews from the participants and coaches, the camp has now been approved for long-term, annual status as an attractive USMS offering. That all happened at Convention last month, so now that we know the camp has a future we are in the process of pinning down the details for the 2012 camp. It is likely that the dates, location, housing, etc will remain the same, but we will be working to fine tune some details based on suggestions and recommendations of this year's campers and coaches. The application will also likely be almost the same as this year's which can be accessed at usms.org/coaches/highperformancecamp.pdf. You'll be able to see from the application that you are asked to provide information about yourself, your swimming, your goals, etc, and this is all taken into consideration by the coaches where there is a need to prioritize the applicants. With this year's applicants, there was enough attrition by those who applied (with conflicts that arose later, or a desire to do it in a future year rather than this year, etc.) that the narrowing down process pretty much took care of itself. 2. John: I think it might be helpful to address some of the communications issues you mentioned. Our volunteer staff actually did try to communicate about the camp but the main problem seemed to be that your email requires approval and acceptance of incoming emails, and despite attempts (including my own) going through the requirements of the approval process, we did not receive approval for our emails to get through. When we called and left messages (not being able to reach you in person) about the situation, we didn't receive call backs or the immediate ability to get email messages through. By the time we finally did achieve successful communication, unfortunately we were right on top of payment deadlines, etc. In 2012 we will have the advantage of being much farther in advance with information (2011 info only first came out in April). In addition, if you are thinking of coming to 2012 USMS Spring Nationals, you will have the advantage of checking out the camp venue in advance and talking to us live and in person about the HPC. (Since I am serving as Co-Meet Director of Spring Nationals, I will be there throughout the entire event for any questions or discussion you may have.) As for not having all the information regarding the coaches, keep in mind that for all practical purposes, 2011 was a start-up camp. That means some coach participation details were being put together at the same time as operational preparations were underway. Interestingly, those coaches who were at the camp who dated back to when the camp was in Colorado Springs, both Nadine Day and Kerry O'Brien, indicated that the participants in the "old days" didn't know who the coaches were until they got to the camp. The good news is that now that the Coaches Committee has one of the "new" camps under its belt, they are already working on the coaches who will be leading the 2012 camp and we should be able to communicate the entire coaching staff well in advance (and maybe even in the camp brochure itself!). 3. Kirk: With regard to pricing, we charged the same price $1800 that was charged when the camp "was put in mothballs" in Colorado Springs six years earlier. Considering that that camp had the benefit of both subsidized food and housing (and no real transportation needs) at the US Olympic Training Center, most of our participants were amazed we were able to accomplish that. In our survey of this year's participants, the great majority felt the camp would be a tremendous value at a cost of up to $2000. 4. Allen: Now that the HPC has been reinstituted in a different location you are more than welcome to apply and participate again. 5. ALL: Until such time as we get a new application and related information on the USMS website for the 2012 USMS High Performance Camp (expected within about 30 days), you can feel free to let your interest in attending the camp be known, or simply ask questions about the camp directly, by emailing Molly Matthews of our Triangle Sports Commission staff at mmatthews@trianglesportscommission.com. If you write and express interest in participation, we will keep your contact info and will notify you as soon as the application is available. Thanks to everyone on this discussion thread for your comments and interest. Thanks very much, too, to Glenn Gruber for his great article, and to all of this year's participants and coaches, for a wonderful re-start to the USMS High Performance Camp. We look forward to a long and positive future for the HPC! Hill Carrow Camp Director 2011 USMS High Performance Camp

After having reviewed a number of the posts on the discussion of the 2011 USMS High Performance Camp, I thought it would be helpful to weigh in on some of the subjects where questions or comments were made: 1. Tina: Interested swimmers apply for the camp. There are indeed a limited number of slots. This year we had 15 campers, and after surveying the campers and coaches after the camp, the general consensus was the camp could reasonably accommodate up to 20 campers. So that will be our top-end number going forward. We are working on our application for the 2012 camp. The 2011 edition was something of a test drive for USMS. Based upon favorable reviews from the participants and coaches, the camp has now been approved for long-term, annual status as an attractive USMS offering. That all happened at Convention last month, so now that we know the camp has a future we are in the process of pinning down the details for the 2012 camp. It is likely that the dates, location, housing, etc will remain the same, but we will be working to fine tune some details based on suggestions and recommendations of this year's campers and coaches. The application will also likely be almost the same as this year's which can be accessed at usms.org/coaches/highperformancecamp.pdf. You'll be able to see from the application that you are asked to provide information about yourself, your swimming, your goals, etc, and this is all taken into consideration by the coaches where there is a need to prioritize the applicants. With this year's applicants, there was enough attrition by those who applied (with conflicts that arose later, or a desire to do it in a future year rather than this year, etc.) that the narrowing down process pretty much took care of itself. 2. John: I think it might be helpful to address some of the communications issues you mentioned. Our volunteer staff actually did try to communicate about the camp but the main problem seemed to be that your email requires approval and acceptance of incoming emails, and despite attempts (including my own) going through the requirements of the approval process, we did not receive approval for our emails to get through. When we called and left messages (not being able to reach you in person) about the situation, we didn't receive call backs or the immediate ability to get email messages through. By the time we finally did achieve successful communication, unfortunately we were right on top of payment deadlines, etc. In 2012 we will have the advantage of being much farther in advance with information (2011 info only first came out in April). In addition, if you are thinking of coming to 2012 USMS Spring Nationals, you will have the advantage of checking out the camp venue in advance and talking to us live and in person about the HPC. (Since I am serving as Co-Meet Director of Spring Nationals, I will be there throughout the entire event for any questions or discussion you may have.) As for not having all the information regarding the coaches, keep in mind that for all practical purposes, 2011 was a start-up camp. That means some coach participation details were being put together at the same time as operational preparations were underway. Interestingly, those coaches who were at the camp who dated back to when the camp was in Colorado Springs, both Nadine Day and Kerry O'Brien, indicated that the participants in the "old days" didn't know who the coaches were until they got to the camp. The good news is that now that the Coaches Committee has one of the "new" camps under its belt, they are already working on the coaches who will be leading the 2012 camp and we should be able to communicate the entire coaching staff well in advance (and maybe even in the camp brochure itself!). 3. Kirk: With regard to pricing, we charged the same price $1800 that was charged when the camp "was put in mothballs" in Colorado Springs six years earlier. Considering that that camp had the benefit of both subsidized food and housing (and no real transportation needs) at the US Olympic Training Center, most of our participants were amazed we were able to accomplish that. In our survey of this year's participants, the great majority felt the camp would be a tremendous value at a cost of up to $2000. 4. Allen: Now that the HPC has been reinstituted in a different location you are more than welcome to apply and participate again. 5. ALL: Until such time as we get a new application and related information on the USMS website for the 2012 USMS High Performance Camp (expected within about 30 days), you can feel free to let your interest in attending the camp be known, or simply ask questions about the camp directly, by emailing Molly Matthews of our Triangle Sports Commission staff at mmatthews@trianglesportscommission.com. If you write and express interest in participation, we will keep your contact info and will notify you as soon as the application is available. Thanks to everyone on this discussion thread for your comments and interest. Thanks very much, too, to Glenn Gruber for his great article, and to all of this year's participants and coaches, for a wonderful re-start to the USMS High Performance Camp. We look forward to a long and positive future for the HPC! Hill Carrow Camp Director 2011 USMS High Performance Camp