I was reading the Western Australia's e-newsletter. They give all 12yr olds and under a backpack whenthe kid joins a team. It had soemstuff in it. This woudl be a great way to encourage kids here in the states. Has USMS or USA Swimmign ever done anyhting like this?
I know here it is really hard to get kids to stay through the season. ASlso, as soon as the Y's basketball season starts, many leave. It is weird becasue the Y runs both programs. Therefore, they don't lose out.
In the summer, the summer rec leagues that cost around 100 for the whole summer are packed with swimmers. They practice in the morning, which means evening is free for baseball, basketball, whatever, the meets are Saturday mornings locally, done by noon. So these parents and kids are usually very happy with swimming, very excited to do it year round, so they come to me around the second week of July asking questions about year round swimming.
First question, how much does it cost: Answer 75-100 per month, meet fees are 2.50 per event, sometimes more out of state, but you can chose your meets, and YMCA duals are free.(parent really frowning here because the monthly costs are much higher than they thought, also 55.00 to USA swimming and 132.oo to the Y at the outset makes them cringe. Paying meet fees makes them cringe).
OK, they are still enthusiastic, maybe they can swing the cost.
When is practice: Well the only pool time available is 7:30-9 mon-thur, then an earlier practice on Friday, and Saturday morning. Coach likes you there 3-4 times for newbies.(another frown, well that is too late, my child is doing, dadadada and da, so not sure how that can fit, and do they really have to swim that much?).
For some reason, they feel the cost of traveling soccer, and traveling basketball and county football better spent. I think it is less expensive than 100 a month.
In the summer, the summer rec leagues that cost around 100 for the whole summer are packed with swimmers. They practice in the morning, which means evening is free for baseball, basketball, whatever, the meets are Saturday mornings locally, done by noon. So these parents and kids are usually very happy with swimming, very excited to do it year round, so they come to me around the second week of July asking questions about year round swimming.
First question, how much does it cost: Answer 75-100 per month, meet fees are 2.50 per event, sometimes more out of state, but you can chose your meets, and YMCA duals are free.(parent really frowning here because the monthly costs are much higher than they thought, also 55.00 to USA swimming and 132.oo to the Y at the outset makes them cringe. Paying meet fees makes them cringe).
OK, they are still enthusiastic, maybe they can swing the cost.
When is practice: Well the only pool time available is 7:30-9 mon-thur, then an earlier practice on Friday, and Saturday morning. Coach likes you there 3-4 times for newbies.(another frown, well that is too late, my child is doing, dadadada and da, so not sure how that can fit, and do they really have to swim that much?).
For some reason, they feel the cost of traveling soccer, and traveling basketball and county football better spent. I think it is less expensive than 100 a month.
