The Pawprint
Fall 2002
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New Fundraising Program Scrip is a great way to earn money for our team and for your family account. It's FREE MONEY !! We will be placing our first order for gift cards MONDAY, DEC. 2nd. Bring your order form filled out and a check made out to H.O.G.S. (Heart of Georgia Swimming). Give these to coach Denise or put them in the basket on the table. Your gift cards should be back in less than a week. We will give them to you as soon as they arrive and you will have a gift card to spend, with a percent anywhere from 2% - 20% going to our team. Your family account will receive half of the percent and half will go to the team account.
What is SCRIP?
Scrip is a fundraising program. Families
are provided with an order form for gift certificates and gift
cards. The order is placed and paid for, and within a week or
less, you receive your substitute money.
Scrip gift certificates are used just like cash. You receive the
full face value of the gift certificate, but the store discounts
the cost to H.O.G.S. The H.O.G.S. discount on gift certificates
varies by merchant, but ranges from 2% * 20%. And over time, this
revenue can really add up for the team. The money raised will go
toward team equipment and supplies, incentives for the swimmers,
training for the coaches, etc. The Scrip source H.O.G.S. is using
is United Scrip out of South Carolina. Their web address is www.UnitedScrip.com.
Scrip is effective in that families are making purchases they
would make anyway (on groceries, clothing, toys, gifts, and
gasoline). The only difference is that you are making your
purchases first through H.O.G.S.
And your percentage raised for H.O.G.S. will be recorded and goes
toward your family's fundraising account! Half of the percent
will go to the team and half will go to your family account.
The family account can be used to pay meet entry fees, coach's
fees, swim supply's, and hotel costs for meets. Receipts should
be kept for reimbursements.
How does Scrip Work?
A Scrip order starts with the Scrip order form which are
available at practice. These forms will be on the bulletin board
in a folder. (This list will expand a little each time, and some
businesses may be deleted.)
Complete the order form, and be sure to include your name and
daytime phone number. The order must be placed by the given
deadline.We will be placing our first order for gift cards
MONDAY, DECEMBER 2nd. The next order will not be until January.
Attach a check made payable to "H.O.G.S. Scrip," place
in an envelope, and give your order to Coach Denise or put it in
her basket on the table next to the pool.
Script orders will be delivered within a week.. Please remember
that Scrip is the same as cash, so if you can't pick up your
order personally, be sure to tell your swimmer to get it that
day.
More information: Denise Collins 451-3155 or email: rccollins@alltel.net
EFFECTIVE SWIM - PARENTING
For your child to have a most-rewarding experience in swimming,
it is very important that you be the "best" swimming
parent possible. Here are some reminders of what it takes to be
an outstanding swim - parent.
1. Provide firm, positive support. All
swimmers have a commitment to swimming whether it is to attend
practice two, three, or four times per week. Be FIRM in expecting
them to fulfill their commitment to attend practices. All
swimmers have days when they don't feel like getting in the
water. However just as in life, we must fulfill our commitments
on both sunny and rainy days. Always be POSITIVE in your support
no matter at what level they participate. Be upbeat in your
conversations and stress the enjoyment this sport can provide.
Swimming is a family sport, even if only one member participates
competitively. Make your child's swimming part of the fun
activities your family enjoys.
2. Competition should be fun. Try to teach your swimmer to enjoy the thrill and camaraderie of swim meets, to be "out there trying hard, win or lose.* Many rivals become friends through bonds forged in competition. Praise good effort, improved skills and better times rather than winning or losing. Do your best to not "re-live" your athletic life through your child since that creates pressure. Every athlete has lost as well as won, been frightened, backed off at times, not lived up to heroic expectations. Never pressure your swimmer because of your pride.
3. Let the coach do the coaching. Resist
at all costs the temptation to act as your child's swimming
coach. If you are concerned that your swimmer's technique is not
up to par, or he or she needs more training, communicate your
concerns to the coach. Your coach is a professional with years of
training in how to develop each individual's potential in the
pool. Your good intentions may be at odds with what the coach is
trying to accomplish. This includes extra pushups, sit-ups,
weight training, running, etc. at home to build strength. Your
coach may agree with your thoughts, but to do his/her job
effectively he or she needs to be fully informed of everything
your swimmer does.
4. Ask questions. There are many sources
of information on a swim team, first and foremost, of course, are
the coaches. They are there to answer any and all questions
regarding this sport and your swimmer. Experienced parents can
also be a good source of information regarding all the little
things that go on around this sport. Be sure to put the same
questions to different parents, since each person's views can be
a little different. These various viewpoints will contribute to a
well- rounded base of information. Do not be intimidated by your
ignorance, especially if you are a new swimming parent. Even the
old dog can learn new tricks by inquiring. The only way to gain
knowledge and be the "best" is by asking questions.
5. Don*t gossip or be negative. If you
have criticism please direct it toward the coaches after the
meet. The worst thing you can do as a parent is to talk
negatively about our program, other parents or athletes. If you
feel that you must be negative then you might be jeopardizing
your future on the team. If you hear someone being negative
please ask him/her to stop and direct him/her to one of the
coaches for help.
6. Be aware of the *Aging Up Trap.*
Unfortunately, this is an easy one to fall into because swimming
competitions, especially early on, are generally age group based.
Many parents and swimmers put far too much emphasis on making the
most of their last months or year in a particular age group. This
puts undue stress on the swimmer to *maximize* their performance
before they change age groups. This also often leads to a letdown
when the swimmer finally does change age groups. Celebrate
successes like *A* times and achievements at certain meets, but
try to avoid overdoing it. It is vital to emphasize that swimming
is a lifetime sport, and ultimately age is not a factor in
competition at the upper levels of the sport.
7. All swim meets are valuable. It is a common problem for new parents to believe that only the highest level of competition available is valuable. Your child*s development needs to be tempered with different types of meets. Swimmers need some meets where they are highly successful and feel good about themselves and the team. They need some to be challenged and understand there is more work to be done. The balance between the two is very important. Too much challenge and the child gets discouraged, not enough and he/she becomes ambivalent. There is something to be gained from every meet at each level of swimming because the real competition is with oneself.
Don't Forget !
Fun Swim and Team Christmas Party
Wednesday, December 11th
3:30 - 5:30
Bring a friend to join the team. We always need new swimmers.
Last day of practice until January 8th.
COOLER WEATHER IS HERE, BE PREPARED!
Standard time and fall are here and the sun is going down
earlier, so cold air temperatures will be facing our swimmers at
meets and when they leave the pool after practice. Your body
continues to release heat for a long time after you leave the
water, so please take the following precautions to stay warm and
healthy:
Cover Your Head. You lose tremendous amounts of heat through your
scalp. Cover your head with a warm hat or hood, especially when
your hair is wet.
Cover Your Feet and Hands. You also lose a lot of heat through
your extremities. Socks, shoes, and gloves will help you retain
body heat.
Wear A Sweatshirt, Jacket or Coat. It is amazing how many
swimmers leave the pool in just a t-shirt! You may not need a
jacket on your way in to practice, but after the sun goes down,
you probably will need one going home. You can always remove it
if you get too warm when the car heats up or you get home.
These reminders also apply when you are sitting around waiting
for your next event at the upcoming meets. Staying warm helps you
conserve energy that you need to swim fast! Take the extra time
to conserve your body heat starting today!
Please support Scrip this month !
This program is for you and your family. Take advantage of the
holiday shopping to come and use the gift cards. Ask Grandma if
she needs any gift cards and get them through H.O.G.S.
Example: If you buy a card for $100, you get a $100 gift card
(say to Bath and Body Works) and 16% goes to Hogs, that's $16
FREE MONEY. $8 goes to the team account and $8 goes to your
family account. Different stores offer different percents.
Holiday Special: Nov. 12-Dec. 6, Bath & Body Works will
contribute 16% of your purchase to H.O.G.S. Thanks to Coach Angel
for setting this up.
Home - Important Dates to Know - Meets - Practices - Coaches - Things to Know - Links - The Pawprint Newsletter - Pictures - Bobcat Scrip