State of the Storm
MARCH 24, 2023
A Message From Coach Mary
Storm Families,
I am excited to see what the "big" meet has in hold for our National swimmers!! They have been working hard these last few weeks, and we have one more to go. With that, I will leave a quote from one of the best athletes of all time.
"I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I've been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."
- Michael Jordan
Thank you,
Coach Mary
Upcoming Meets
- March 29-April 1: USA Swimming Eastern Zone Championships (12/U qualifiers)
- April 2-7: YMCA Short Course National Championships (13/O qualifiers)
To all of our swimmers, good luck and swim fast!
More Information: please visit the Events Page of our website.
Questions: please contact your practice group lead coach.
Important Upcoming Dates & Deadlines
END-OF-SEASON CELEBRATIONS
- March 26th: 10/U Banquet
- May 7th: 11/O Banquet
Dates and deadlines may be subject to change. Please refer to communications from your practice group lead coach for the latest information.
Senior Spotlight: Class of 2023
Congratulations and keep shining bright, Class of 2023!
2023 Long Course Program Information
Registration will open March 31st for our Spring/Summer Long Course Program. We are excited to offer new opportunities this season. The tentative practice schedule is included below.
For GSCY Long Course 2023 we will be offering the following programs:
For our 13 & Over swimmers:
Spring/Summer, SHORT COURSE Spring Weekend practice option:
- This is our traditional program taking place April 19th through end of July. Swimmers will be placed in practice groups that correspond to their fall 2022-2023 Short Course placement.
- April 19th - June 23rd: weekday indoor afterschool practices and weekend indoor Bridgewater or SHY practices.
- June 25th - last championship meet: mostly weekday outdoor morning practice, Sunday indoor practice.
OR
Spring/Summer, LONG COURSE Spring Weekend practice option
(National Team members are strongly encouraged to select this option)
- April 19th through end of July. Swimmers will be placed in practice groups that correspond to their fall 2022-2023 Short Course placement.
- April 19th - June 23rd: weekday indoor afterschool practices and weekend indoor Long Course (50M) practices at Jersey Aquatic Center.
- June 25th - last championship meet: mostly weekday outdoor morning practice, Sunday indoor practice.
*13 & Over swimmers must remain in their chosen weekend practice location for the duration of the Spring. Swimmers are not permitted to switch between LONG COURSE practice group & SHORT COURSE practice group on weekends.
**There is not a Spring ONLY option for 13 & Over swimmers.
For our 12 & Under swimmers:
Spring/ Summer
- April 19th through end of July. Swimmers will be placed in practice groups that correspond to their fall 2022-2023 Short Course placement.
- April 19th - June 23rd: indoor afterschool and weekend practices.
- June 25th - last championship meet: weekday outdoor morning practice, Sunday indoor practice.
OR
Spring ONLY
- April 19th - June 25th: indoor afterschool and weekend practices.
For our 8 & Under Swimmers:
Spring ONLY
- April 19th - June 25th: indoor afterschool and weekend practices.
Program Fees:
- Junior & Senior: $935
- Lightning - Spring/Summer: $750
- Lightning - Spring ONLY: $560
- Thunder - Spring/Summer: $580
- Thunder - Spring ONLY: $450
- Waves - Spring ONLY: $240
Registration opens March 31st, and closes April 7th!
How to Register:
- You need an active YMCA membership.
- Only returning swimmers with a zero balance (no outstanding meet fees or fines) will be permitted to register.
- Register online at www.gscymca.org.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the practice schedule?
The practice schedule is attached. Please note, this is tentative. Practice times may need to be adjusted to accommodate actual registration numbers.
My child doesn’t want to swim Long Course. Is it required and will it affect them in their placement for the fall?
Long Course is not required for Lightning, Thunder, or Waves. However, it is highly recommended for those that swim at the YMCA State level or higher. For Junior practice groups, Long Course isn’t required, but it’s highly recommended. Long Course is required for Senior practice groups. Senior group swimmers who do not participate in Long Course will be required to tryout prior to the Fall season.
What paperwork needs to be returned?
NO registration will be considered complete until all paperwork is returned. For returning swimmers, the last page of the handbook needs to be signed and submitted prior to the first day of practice. The Handbook will be emailed soon.
What group do I register for?
Swimmers should register for one of the options offered within their Short Course practice group.
Example 1: A swimmer was a member of Thunder N in Short Course and has since turned 11. That swimmer should register for either Thunder Spring/Summer OR Thunder Spring ONLY.
Example 2: A swimmer was a member of Junior 1 during Short Course. That swimmer may choose to register for either Junior Spring/ Summer Long Course Spring weekends OR Junior Spring/ Summer Short Course Spring weekends.
Can my swimmer swim a summer team as well as Long Course?
Yes, and it is highly encouraged. Summer teams are fun and allow swimmers to race more. Please be aware that summer team practices are not a replacement or substitution for Long Course practices. Summer team meets should not take precedence over Long Course meets or practices.
Do I have to pay the full amount at once?
Payments can be paid in one installment or can be divided into two equal payments.
Is there a sibling discount for swim team?
Families with 3 or more swimmers, and GSCYMCA staff members are entitled to a discount. Email Melissa Thompson mthompson@gscymca.org to process your discounted registration.
Does the YMCA offer Financial Assistance?
Yes, the YMCA offers assistance for memberships and programs. Please see www.gscymca.org for further information.
Help! I don’t understand what I’m supposed to do.
Please contact Melissa Thompson mthompson@gscymca.org.
*Please do not contact the welcome centers with registration questions or attempt to register at a welcome center as they will not be able to assist you. If you need to reset your login password, the Welcome Center will be able to help you.
Informational Webinar: Social Media and Adolescent Mental Health
Informational Webinar: Social Media and Adolescent Mental Health
To register for the webinar, please visit:
https://rutgers.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ofc41Y28Stmqi14V7R_Yvg
About the Presenter:
Delaney Ruston is a Stanford trained physician, international speaker, and filmmaker who makes documentaries to foster social change. She is the creator of the award-winning films, Screenagers, about solutions for healthy screen time and Screenagers NEXT CHAPTER, about improving the emotional wellbeing of today’s youth. Over 5 million kids and adults have gathered for screenings in more than 90 countries. Delaney has presented at Google, Facebook, The Aspen Institute, and her views are often in the press, such as in Good Morning America, NPR, The New York Times, and many others. She has partnered with the World Health Organization on advocacy and is a Fulbright Scholar. Along with filmmaking, Delaney currently provides medical care to the underserved and homeless, which she has done for 15 years.
Wednesday, Mar 29, 2023, 06:00 PM
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Easter Volunteering Opportunities
- SHIP is looking for volunteers to help serve meals on Easter. SHIP’s 33rd annual Easter Sunday Holiday Meal will be held at at the Immaculata High School cafeteria at 240 Mountain Avenue in Somerville from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. If you or your family would like to volunteer, please call Tom O'Leary, Executive Director, at (908) 393-9545 or email safeharbor@ship908.com.
- SHIP is looking for volunteers to roast turkeys or ham for Easter. SHIP can provide the frozen turkey if needed. The cooked and/or carved items can be dropped off at SHIP the week before Easter Sunday from 8:30am to 2:00pm Monday through Thursday. SHIP is located at 87 E High Street in Somerville. Please contact Tom O'Leary at (908) 393-9545 or safeharbor@ship908.com for more information.
- SHIP is looking for food donations for the Easter Holiday Meal. Below are some items that SHIP still needs for the Easter Holiday Meal Program. Please contact Tom O'Leary at (908) 393-9545 or safeharbor@ship908.com if you are planning to donate.
- 15 Spiral Hams
- Chicken stock (6 cans)
- Butter (12 pounds)
- Cakes (10 assorted, holiday decorated)
- Centerpieces (15; handmade is great)
- Candy (10 small-sized bags)
- Coffee (3 1-pound units)
- Cranberry Sauce (6 cans)
- Cupcakes (12 dozen, assorted, holiday decorated)
- Dinner Rolls (12 dozen)
- Fresh potatoes (100 pounds)
- Milk (3 gallons)
- Pies (24 assorted types)
- Potato Chips (16 family size bags)
- Pretzels (16 family size bags)
- Salad dressing (15 bottles assorted)
- Soda (25 2-liter bottles)
- Stove Top Stuffing (10 boxes)
- String Beans (10 cans)
- Sweet Peas (10 cans)
- Yams (30 large cans)
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