Welcome to Forest Hills Swim Team!

Joining a swim team is a fantastic way to have fun & make new friends while becoming a better swimmer – we are so happy to have you on ours!

It can be a bit daunting trying to learn the ropes, so here is a quick reference guide to help you on your way.

Quick Reference -- Packing for a Swim Meet

Swim meets are super-fun but nothing ruins the day more than forgetting that one essential item. Must-haves:

Extra Cap & Goggles: Beyond your regular pair. In fact, stock up….these items get a great deal of use over the season & will wear out & break (or be lost) when you need them the most.

Hoodie & dry clothes: Or a swim parka. Or both. Once the sun goes down, it gets cold running around in wet swim suits.

Two or more towels: There is no doubt a towel will be drenched within the first ten minutes of the meet.

Water & snacks: Swimmers are ALWAYS hungry & thirsty! (always). Most snack shacks take cash and Venmo.

Sunscreen: This one is pretty obvious, but a very, very important part of any summer for swimmers.

Sharpies & highlighters: For highlighting the heat sheet, marking your swimmer, or for drawing “Eat My Bubbles!”

Entertainment: There is a fair amount of down-time between events, so anything you can bring to keep kiddos busy helps!

Folding chairs/popups: A swim meet essentially turns into a tent city for the morning, so bring what you need to be comfy. Space tends to be limited though, so choose your accessories wisely 😊 A chair, blanket, small tent or larger popup if you’re planning to share space with a group, an umbrella, etc are usually enough to designate your “home base”

1. Remember that swimming is your child’s activity & improvements come at different rates for each swimmer. Don’t push them based upon what you think they should be accomplishing because, in the end, swimming is about personal bests & is supposed to be fun. 

2. The best question to ask your child is “Did you have fun?” If meets and practices are not fun, look for ways to make it more fun and remember it’s not always about the best times. 

3. Please support and respect the coaches. Swim is one of the few youth sports programs that offer professional coaching. The bond between a coach and a swimmer is a special one. Coaching contributes to your child’s achievements while also enjoying the sport. 

4. Always stay Positive. Competition in general can be scary for young swimmers, so please remember their feelings & have only positive encouragement for them when they exit the pool. 

5. Remember that every person working at a meet is a volunteer. Everyone is doing their best to make the meets run smoothly. Always be kind. 

6. Team spirit is the key to making the season a better one for everyone. Our team is built upon friendships, family & fun! GO BEAVERS! 

7. Successful swimmers are those who have learned to focus on the process and not the outcome. Giving an honest effort regardless of what the outcome is, is much more important than winning. Focus with your swimmer on their individual gains, not on where they placed in the race. 

“Don’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream. The further you get.” Michael Phelps