Who can join the team?

We welcome swimmers from 4 to 18 years old. Those under 6 or other swimmers who are still developing their skills may be placed on the pre-team. You MUST be an active, dues-paying member of Calverton Pool to join the team.

What is Pre-Team?

Pre-Team is for younger, less developed swimmers ages 4 and up who are comfortable in the water, can float on their back, and can put their face in the water and blow bubbles. Swimmers will generally swim with the Pre-Team for 1-2 seasons, and will usually be ready to graduate to the full Swim Team by the time they are 7 or 8 years old (we’ve even had younger!). All pre-team swimmers are considered part of the Calverton Chargers and are encouraged to attend team social events and attend meets.

What is the ‘cut-off’ date for a swimmer’s age?

A swimmer competes at the age that they are as of June 1 of this year. (For example, if a swimmer turns 9 on June 2 or after, he or she will compete as an 8 year-old throughout the MCSL season.)

How should I register my swimmer if I am unsure whether they should be on Pre-Team or the competitive Swim Team?

New, younger swimmers will be evaluated by coaches at the beginning of each season to determine whether they should swim on the Pre-Team or the competitive Swim Team. If you are new to the pool, and your child is between 5-7 years old, and can swim a full length of the pool unaided, then you should register for the Full Swim Team in the summer. If, after evaluation and discussion with the coaches, your child is unable to participate in the Full Swim team, we will move to Pre-Team.

How much is registration?

The 2026 registration fees for Team Swimmers are $150 for the first swimmer and $150 for each additional swimmer. For Pre-Team, the fees are $100 for the first swimmer and $100 for each additional swimmer. A $3 charge per swimmer and credit card processing fees are added to the registration fees. Registration includes swim meet participation and practices. Separate charges might include swimsuits, caps or team T-shirts.

When is registration?

Registration opens late March \ early April - Be on the lookout for Calverton Pool emails!

When are swim practices?

Swim practices starts the Tuesday after Memorial Day through the 3rd week of July. Depending on your swimmers age there are different practice times. Visit the Practice Schedule page for more detail.

How often am I expected to go to practice?

Swim team members receive instruction from our coaching staff. Practices are opportunities to learn and improve your swimming and the more practices swimmers attend, the more they will improve and feel connected to the team. Swimmers are encouraged to attend one practice per day; there is no minimum practice requirement.

What if it is raining or cold?

If the pool is open, there is practice – whether rain, shine, too hot, or too cold! However, practice may be delayed or canceled because of thunderstorms (call the pool or check your notifications on SwimTopia for announcements. Some children can be miserable on cold rainy days. It is okay to keep them home as we want all children to love swim team. Warm pants post swim goes a long way!

What is the difference between “A” and “B” meets?

Our season has two series of co-ed meets at two levels of competition - the more competitive ‘A’ meets are limited in the number of competitors per event and points are awarded based on event place; the ‘B’ meets are open to any swimmer and are geared to giving swimmers still developing their skills the opportunity to compete. 

Parents are responsible for signing up (Declaring) their swimmer for the A and B meets, using the SwimTopia app. Please sign up by the end of practice on the Tuesday before each B meet. 

The fastest 6 freestyle swimmers and the top 3 in all other events and age groups will compete in the A meets. Each swimmer is limited to 3 individual events plus the Individual Medley per meet. The lineups will be posted the day before the meet.

Be sure to visit our Swim Speak page for more in depth information!

How often are swim meets?

“A” meets are held on Saturday mornings and “B” meets are held on Wednesday evenings. Meets can either be at home (Calverton) or away held at pools throughout MOCO. 

Where can I find the A meet and B meet schedules?

On our website's calendar under Meet Schedule.

For full Division H meet schedule visit the MCSL web site: https://mcsl.org/

How would I know what meet to schedule my child in?

You would declare your child using the SwimTopia app. From there, based off swimmer times, the coach would place your child on the meet roster and determine which events they will compete.

What are the volunteer requirements?

We ask that families volunteer at least Twenty-four (24) hours during the swim season. However, it’s HIGHLY encouraged if your swimmer is participating in a meet that you volunteer in some capacity. There are many exciting roles we have to fill during the swim meets and this is a wonderful way to meet families. See our Volunteering section for more details!

What are time trials?

Time trials is the opening (practice) meet of every season. This is an internal “swim meet” with just our team so new and updated times can be recorded for swimmers.

Will I have to buy a team bathing suit? Though not required it’s suggested to buy a team bathing suit. We will share the link to the team suit on our website.

What should a swimmer bring to the swim meets?

● Swim cap: Bring one or two if possible. (Calverton Chargers cap is a BONUS!)

● Swim suit: You probably want to have your child come in their swimsuit so you don't have to worry about getting them changed.

● Goggles: It is always a good plan to bring at least 2 pairs so that you have a backup in case one pair breaks or gets lost.

● Warm clothes: Sweatshirts and pants to wear over your swim suit between events. Bring one or two if possible. Meets go on, despite occasionally chilly weather & rain, and evenings can get very cold in a soggy sweatshirt.

● T-shirt, sunscreen and insect repellent.

● A few towels so that you can dry off after warm-ups and each event.

● Games: Anything to pass the time like travel games, coloring books, books, cards. Avoid things like Frisbees, balls...there really is not a lot of space at some swim clubs and it's a good idea to encourage your swimmer to rest a bit in between events. Do NOT bring anything of value...we would hate to have anything "walk off" and ruin your swimmer’s day!

● Water & Snacks: Granola bars, fruits, yogurts, dry cereal, sandwiches. bagels, cereal → If you forget, no problem! We have concessions at home meets

● Good sportsmanship!

● Chargers swag is a bonus too!

● Parents: Bring water, food, chairs and comfortable shoes

● Please do NOT bring Electronic gaming devices such phones, iTouches, iPads or other devices that keep you from socializing with friends and cheering for teammates!

What should a swimmer expect the day of the meet?

● Arrive on time for warm-up: The coach or reps will email the meet warm up and start times. They are also posted in the Meets and Events section of the website. Families sit together at the swim meets. This is a great way to get to know the families and swimmers.

● Check-in with the coaches when you get to the meet.

● Warm-up with your teammates: Coaches will get the swimmers warmed up before the start of the meet. After warm-ups, your swimmer should dry off and keep warm.

● Swimmers should remain in the team area during the meet. If a swimmer needs to leave the team area for any reason, the swimmer should inform one of the coaches before leaving. We do not want any swimmers to miss the check-in time for their event

Do we have to stay for the whole event?

Though not required, we encourage you to stay for the whole event to cheer on your teammates. This is a great way for you/your child to support the team; however, we understand families have obligations outside of the team. Please check in with the coach before you leave.

What does it mean to be disqualified (DQs)?

In any MCSL meet, any swimmer who performs an illegal stroke or turn will be disqualified from the event. The coaches will inform the swimmer of the reason for the disqualification and work with the swimmer to correct the issue. DQs are a normal learning experience that help the swimmer improve.

Who receives ribbons at meets?

Ribbons are awarded for 1st through 6th places. There may also be “finisher” ribbons for those who participate but didn’t score points. This is up to the discretion of the hosting team. Swimmers generally do not receive a ribbon if they DQ in a race. Ribbons can be found at the front desk in the “Calverton Chargers” box under your last name.

Why are there “themes” to the meets?

This is a fun spirit-building activity. Prior to a meet, the coaches/reps will let the swimmers know the “theme” of the meet. Swimmers are encouraged, but are not required to, dress up according to the theme prior to the meet. We also have themed pep rallies too.