Pup Camp (May 11-14, 2026)
* Pup Camp is for NSPT pool members ONLY. Pup Camp registration link will be sent to you via email in your Membersplash confirmation once you join the pool.
Do you have a child who loves to swim – who was a fish by the end of last summer or took lessons over the winter? Do you wonder if your child is ready for swim team? Or did your child join swim team last year but found the “controlled chaos” of the practices and meets a bit overwhelming? If so, then Stingray Pup Camp might be right for you. The cost of Pup Camp is $30 and you can participate without committing to join the swim team.
Pup Camp is designed for swimmers ages 4 (by May 31) and older – either those new to swim team or those who swam for the first time last year. Our aim is to build confidence in our youngest swimmers and to hook a new generation of young Stingray pups in a fun and low stress environment. Although previous swimming experience is not required, familiarity and comfort in the water is necessary. Our team of coaches (including our head coach, Jenn Feltis, our assistant coaches, and veteran swim team teens) will introduce them to basic swim skills, show them what practices will be like, and determine if they are ready for swim team as they assess their water safety basics and water comfort level. We will also hold daily Swim Team 101 instruction and Q&A sessions for new parents to learn more about swim team.
Pup Camp Q & A:
1. Is this a try-out for swim team? No, not exactly, since attending Pup Camp is not a requirement to join the team. However, for these youngest swimmers it IS an assessment of readiness and an excellent way for you and our coaches to observe and evaluate your swimmer from a perspective of interest AND safety. Our #1 priority is that your child be safe in the water. In order to be a member of our swim team, your child will need to be able to demonstrate adequate safety in the water when a coach’s back is momentarily turned and adequate independence in the water to swim across the pool unassisted by a coach. Swim team is not a learn to swim program or private lessons. While the main focus of swim lessons for young children is to teach them how to swim for survival, swim team teaches swimmers how to become efficient in the water, learning, correcting and mastering stroke techniques through training.
2. What do we need to bring? Your child should come in a swim suit prepared to swim. Please bring goggles, towel, sneakers, and a dry set of warm clothes. The water will be cool and they will be cold when they get out, so have a warm sweatshirt ready for them. If you have a swim cap, please bring one, but this is NOT required.
3. What will they do? Swimmers will be divided into small skill and age appropriate groups based on your feedback to our pre Pup Camp survey. You will receive this via email in early May. Each group will be assigned a name and coach. Groups will be split in half, (A and B subgroups). Pup campers will spend time in the water and out of the water. In the water, they will be with a coach and several assistants to work on a specific focus skill of the day. Out of the water on the playground, they will rotate to a dryland activity and a huddle with their assistant coach/leaders.
4. What time should we arrive? Plan to arrive by 4:45pm for check in. Group assignments will be posted. Please find your swimmer’s assigned group/coach. There, you will be greeted by older swim team members to “mark” your child. We use a Sharpie marker to indicate their name and age on the back of their shoulder or on their arm if they will wear a shirt. This technique is used at ALL swim meets to identify our younger swimmers and we want children to get used to it early. It also helps us to identify them as we get to know their names. If you prefer, you may mark them before you arrive. We will sort into groups on the black top and will begin @ 5pm.
5. Is every day the same? The format is the same for all four days. However, each day we will cover a new "Focus Skill of the Day," introduce a new swim team concept to Pup Campers, and discuss a new Swim Team 101 with parents.
6. We will miss a day. Is that OK? Yes, we understand schedules are variable. We encourage you to make as many days as possible, but if you have to miss, please notify us by email or your child’s assigned coach ahead of time.
7. Are there rain dates if inclement weather forces a cancellation? No, we will not make up cancelled days. Our fingers will be crossed for a warm and sunny forecast.
8. Where do parents go? Can I watch my child? Of course! Tables and chairs are set up on the pool deck. Feel free to find a place near your swimmer to watch them in the water. While they are rotating in stations on the playground, we will have a “Swim Team 101” session with any new parents to cover swim team basics and answer any questions.
9. How will I know if my child is “ready” to join? By or before the end of week, you will receive feedback on your child’s readiness. When Pup Camp ends on Thursday, you should already have a good idea of their readiness, but you will also receive an email with either a “green light” (ready for meets), "yellow light" (Little Rays) or a “red light” (not ready) designation. Readiness is a combination of skill, maturity and interest. Not all children are ready to join the swim team. Pup Camp was designed for and tailored to our youngest swimmers in order to foster a love of swimming in the future of our swim team, whether they join us this year or next!
10. We haven’t officially joined the swim team. If we get a “green light,” how do we join? Some Pup Campers are returning for a 2nd year after swimming for our team last summer, and may have already paid their swim team fees with the intention to join us again. If you haven’t already joined the swim team, and your child is ready to commit, you will simply pay the applicable registration fee via check or via credit card on our SwimTopia site (discounted fees for subsequent swimmers will apply).
11. If we join, do we have to order a team suit? No, team suits and personalized silicone swim caps are optional but do make a nice statement for team unity. Each swim team member will receive a latex team swim cap and a cotton team T-shirt. Many parents choose not to order a team swim suit until they know their child is committed to the swim team. A plain black suit is a nice complement to our team suit, but again, not required.
12. How do I order a team suit or other spirit wear items? The link to our SwimOutlet Team Store is on this SwimTopia site. Orders are placed individually and shipped to your home. Other apparel sales will be available closer to the season start.
