Laurelwood Dolphins

Twice during the spring season, we host a Donut Day.  At the end of each practice session (e.g. 6/under, 7/8, 9/10, and 11/Up), coaches give swimmers a yellow ticket that they can exchange for a Stan's Donut.  

Donuts are only for swim team swimmers who attend practice on Donut Day.  This event is free and there is no need to RSVP.

Once during the spring season and once early during the summer practice season, we host an Ice Cream Pig Out. At the end of each practice session (e.g. 6/under, 7/8, 9/10, and 11/Up), coaches give swimmers a card that they can exchange for a bowl of ice cream: chocolate, vanilla, or cookies and cream.  As they go down the line, they can choose from toppings such as whipped cream, chocolate syrup, caramel syrup, strawberry syrup, gummy bears, crushed Oreos, m&ms, chocolate sprinkles, or rainbow sprinkles.  During the summer practice season when 11 and Up swimmers practice in the morning, ice cream is served at the end of morning practice only.

Ice cream is only for swim team swimmers who attend practice on Ice Cream Day.  This event is free and there is no need to RSVP.

This is the first big event of the season!  It takes place on the Friday before the Practice Meet.  On this day, practice is cancelled and the pool is closed around 4pm.  Swimmers should wear their Laurelwood Dolphins team swimsuit or a dark blue swimsuit.  No goggles or swim caps.  The grassy area on the long side of the pool is also closed (do not set up chairs or leave belongings here) because it is the backdrop for the team photo.

At 4pm, a professional sports photographer comes to take individual and buddy photos (these are optional and must be pre-paid).

At 4:45pm, swimmers will line up from tallest to shortest in the area between family pool and baby pool.  Swimmers will be directed onto the bleachers for the team photo with the smallest swimmers in front.  Please do not take photos of the team from the other side of the pool.  The photographers work very hard to set up the bleachers and lighting and we need all swimmers to look at the photographer for the best photo.

After the team photo, individual and buddy photos resume.  Dinner (burgers and hot hot dogs) is also served.  Families sign up to contribute additional side dishes, fruit, dessert, and drinks, potluck-style. Families/siblings and guests are welcome. 

The Team Store also has their grand opening at this time.

This event is open to swim team families only, requires an advance RSVP, and is free for everyone.

Play Day is a longstanding tradition of the Laurelwood Dolphins.  On this day, practice is cancelled and instead, the Play Day committee members lead the swim team swimmers of all ages in various team builder games on the land and in the water (no siblings or guests).  We end Play Day by removing all of the lane lines and creating a giant whirlpool.  Parents sign up to bring snacks, popsicles, and drinks.  The pool is closed to non-swim team members.

Play Day is free and advance RSVP is appreciated.

The Laurelwood Dolphin Team Store is open on various days throughout the season starting with the Season Opener and ending on Breakfast of Champions and Awards Night.  Swimmers in the competitive category of 10 years old and younger receive 2 tickets at the end of every practice.  These tickets are the currency for the Team Store, which is stocked with items such as ring pops, stickers, Hot Wheels cars, craft kits, Pokemon cards, and more.

This event typically takes place on the same day as Play Day.  Parent volunteers on the Taco Team cook marinated taco meat (beef and chicken) as well as quesadillas on our Blackstone grills.  Tacos are served on your choice of flour or corn tortillas along with chopped onion, cilantro, and limes.  Rice and refried beans from Chavez Market serve as sides.  Families sign up to contribute additional side dishes, fruit, dessert, and drinks, potluck-style.  

Advance RSVP requested and cost is $10 per person (11 years old and up), $5 per person (10 and under), and free for children 4 years old and under.  Families/siblings and guests are welcome.

Once during the spring season and once during the summer season, we host Pizza at the Pool.  For $5 per person, each person receives 2 slices of Costco's finest cheese or pepperoni pizza, 1 bag of chips, 1 drink, and 1 dessert.

Advance RSVP and pre-payment are required.  Families and guests are welcome.

On a Saturday from 5-7pm during the summer practice season, we host a party just for the 11 and Up swimmers.  The pool is not closed for this event.  The 11 and Up committee members prepare games such as Donut on a String, Whipped Cream Bubble Gum Pie, Water Relays, and the infamous Coin Dive.  Costco pizza is served and families sign up to bring sides, fruit, dessert, and drinks.  Music is playing throughout.

At swim meets before this event, young swimmers are tasked with collecting coin and cash donations that will be converted to coins.  In preparation for the Coin Dive, swimmers are each given a ziplock bag.  They sit on the edge of the pool with their legs in the water while committee members toss coins into the deep end.  No goggles are allowed.  Despite its name, no diving is permitted; everyone must sit and slide into the pool.  At the first whistle, 11 and 12 year olds get a small head start.  At the second whistle, everyone else enters.  Swimmers get to keep all the coins they collect.

This event is free and RSVP is greatly appreciated.

This is our biggest party of the year and you do not want to miss it!  It usually takes place on the third Saturday in June.  The pool is closed from 5pm - 8am.  The Overnighter Team comes up with a theme for the party and transforms the pool into a carnival of fun for all ages (including 6 and under!).  All families who attend sign up for one volunteer shift + 2 food donations.

At 5:30pm, doors open and check-in begins.  Individuals who are staying overnight are given a bracelet.  Children who are staying overnight must have a supervising adult remain with them overnight; the supervising adult can be another parent from the swim team, but the parent cell phone number must be on the check-in sheet.  Individuals who are not staying overnight must leave by 10pm.    Swimmers find their team assignments for games.  Dinner is served (Costco pizza, hot dogs, and burgers) alongside sides, fruit, dessert, and drinks.  A DJ is spinning tunes.  There is a Photo Booth.

At 6:30pm, land games begin on the deck near the starting blocks.  Swimmers are divided into 5 or 6 teams, with each team having children of all ages.  The land games usually end with turning the coaches into toilet paper mummies.  The water relays happen next.  We end the water games with a whole pool whirlpool.

Around 8pm, benches and chairs are moved to surround and face the office window.  A screen is hung and we play a movie, typically rated G or PG.  We play a PG-13 movie around 10pm.

At the same time, we light two fires in solo stoves.  There is usually a kid's fire for s'mores and an adults lounging fire.  Sno-cones or cotton candy is also served.

Around 10pm, nachos and hot chocolate are served for an hour.  Clean up begins afterwards.  Pool doors are closed and locked at this time and there is an adult who stays by the door from 10pm - 7am to ensure no one is leaving or coming in.

In the morning, clean up resume.  Stan's Donuts and Starbucks coffee are brought in by 7am.  Everything must be returned in order by 8am.

This event is free, open to swim team families only, and requires advance RSVP.

At the end of each season, we have a logo design contest for the next year's logo that will be printed on apparel and coins.

Requirements:

• Art work may be hand drawn or digital - in vector format for digital submissions is preferred.
• Artwork must say "Laurelwood Dolphins 20XX" (where 20XX is the year).
• You may have a family or individual swimmer submission.
• Families may not win consecutive years in a row.

Additional Guidelines:

• Use no more than 4 colors (more colors is too expensive to print on apparel).
• A round shape is preferred because it will be printed on a coin.
• Use solid colors (rather than gradients) without too much fine detail or busy patterns because it will be printed on a coin.
• Use orange and blue, our team colors, in the design (looks good on our apparel)
• Use of extensive AI is discouraged - swimmer creativity is preferred.

Entries may be dropped into the orange Dolphins mailbox located next to the women's restroom, or emailed to cochairs@laurelwooddolphins.com.

The winner of the Logo Design Contest gets a free t-shirt with their design on it.

This event takes place the day before Champs.  In the morning, all swimmers have an abbreviated practice.  All relay teams except for 6/Under have an additional 15 minute practice.  Past example:

8:15-9am - 11/Up (relay team 9-9:15am)

9:15-10am - 9/10 (relay team 10-10:15am)

9:15-9:45am - 7/8 (relay team 9:45-10am)

10-10:15am - 6/Under (relay team same time)

After each practice is dismissed, swimmers are invited to partake in the Breakfast of Champions: pancakes, sausages, eggs, bagels, fruit, orange juice, chocolate milk, and coffee for the adults.

All swim team swimmers eat for free!  Additional guests (family, siblings, etc.) pay $5.  RSVP and pre-payment is appreciated.

This event takes place from 9:30-11am, around the same time as Breakfast of Champions.  At this event, swimmers can visit various stations including temporary tattoos/body glitter, nail polish, hair tinsel and braiding, poster making for the team and for graduating seniors.  It's also an opportunity to sign thank you cards for the coaches.

A logo design contest also takes place during this event.  Each swimmer and coach is given one ticket to vote for their favorite design for the next year's logo.  The winner will be announced the next night at Awards Night.  The winner also receives a free swim team t-shirt with their design!  The same family cannot win consecutive years.

This event is free, open to swim team families, and no RSVP required.

On the evening of Champs, we close out the season with Awards night and tacos.  Doors open and dinner is served at 5:30pm.  The spread includes tacos (marinated beef and chicken), quesadillas, rice, refried beans, and toppings such as limes, chopped onion, cilantro, pico de gallo, and salsas.  Drinks are provided.  Families sign up to bring fruit and dessert.  Guests are welcome.  Advance RSVP and pre-payment is requested and the cost is $10 per person (11 years old and up), $5 per person (10 and under), and free for children 4 years old and under.

Awards begin at 7pm.  There is a photo slideshow to music that reviews the entire season.  Our graduating seniors are honored.  Each swimmer group (e.g. boys 6U, girls 6U) is called up to the front and the coaches recognize each swimmer with a commemorative coin with the year's logo printed on it and a personalized handwritten note.  Swimmers are recognized for personal records and number of meets attended.  Coaches give special recognition (Coach's Award trophy) to one boy and one girl from each age group.  These individuals are not necessarily the fastest swimmers, but ones that help and encourage others, are faithful and diligent in attending practices and meets, and otherwise raise up our team.  Finally, we thank our coaches with gifts and cards for their dedication, care, and excellence.

Advance RSVP requested and cost is $10 per person (11 years old and up), $5 per person (10 and under), and free for children 4 years old and under. Families/siblings and guests are all welcome.