Pools and Economic Development

Every time Jersey Shore athletes swim at the Penn State's McCoy Natatorium for a swim meet, one swim team parent always says the following; "Of all the athletic facilities at Penn State, this natatorium is the only one that hasn't been updated."

Well here you go, Architect approved for Natatorium expansion and can be viewed here

One quote that is particularily interesting is the following; “There also is an economic development aspect, as the larger pool will attract more meets such as the PIAA which Penn State had until Bucknell built a 50-meter pool several years ago,” Bodenschatz said. “There also are USA swimming regional meets, YMCA meets and more that Penn State will host, bringing families to Center County and prospective students to campus.”

Jersey Shore Swim Parents Volunteer Over 1300 Hours to YMCA

Whether it is Little League Baseball, Band Booster Club, or Boy Scouts, volunteers determine whether the youth experience is a successful endeavor or a tough slog. Swimming is no different.

To determine the impact of swim volunteers, an analysis was done on volunteer efforts during last years Jersey Shore YMCA winter swim team season (2010 - 2011) to determine their impact.  Hours were counted for such things as people working swim meets, fundraiser events, volunteer coaching, officials meetings, and organizing the annual banquet. Some pretty impressive numbers were found.

It takes 102 volunteer hours to run a home meet as parents time (need 12 throughout the course of a home meet), officiate, man the scorers table, and serve refreshments at the food table.  It only takes 46 volunteer hours to run an away meet as the home team provides the majority of timers.

Volunteer coaches really racked up some impressive numbers as Dave Keegan donated over 250 hours and the coaching duo of Todd and Shelley Moore also donated 250 hours of coaching.

The estimated dollar value of volunteer time for Pennsylvania is $20.51 per hour for 2010, according to the Independent Sector, a coalition of charities, foundations, corporations, and individuals that publishes research important to the nonprofit sector.

Swim parents donated 1360 hours to the Jersey Shore YMCA.  Using the above volunteer time at $20.51, then swim parents donated $27,893.60!!!

The YMCA Swim Team would not run and be successful without the parents!

2011 YMCA Swim Meet Schedule

The first dual meet is right around the corner but first, a tune-up with the Bellefonte Invitational on December 3.

click schedule to enlarge

Jersey Shore Swimmers Excel Beyond High School

Here is a look at two former Jersey Shore swimmers, Jenna Brooks and Maddie Thompson, that are doing pretty well in college/college prep swimming.  Maddie placed very high in several events in the 2011 Mercersburg Closed Invitational and the results can be viewed here.  Jenna Brooks is part of a Lock Haven swim team that is close to breaking in the Top 25 Division II rankings.  Her effort can be viewed here.

Bellefonte Invitational

Looking for a fun way to kick off the start of the YMCA swim season?  Check out the Bellefonte Invitational!  Some pretty neat relays!  This event will take place on December 3 at Lock Haven University.


Bellefonte Invitational Events. 



Jersey Shore Swim Gear Available for Christmas

This clothing sale will be just in time for Christmas gift giving - in order for this to happen though, all orders must be returned no later than Dcember 5th.   Late orders will not be taken.

click on form to enlarge

click on form to enlarge

YMCA Winter Swim is Truly Cold

Not sure why there are issues with the Jersey Shore High School Pool (they have had several months to work on it) but the water is COLD!!!  Below is the official first swim practice at the high school pool (they have had several practices at the Williamsport Y and Lycoming College)

Jersey Shore YMCA Swim Team Wreath Fundraiser a Success



Several Jersey Shore swimmers and their parents spent Sunday morning prepping wreaths to be distibuted throughout the community.  This is one of their major fundraisers to allow the winter YMCA swim team to function.

Wreaths unloaded into the YMCA



Several parents working on the bows

Several parents and swimmers placing cones onto wreath

Finished wreaths are laid outside the Jersey Shore YMCA for pick-up

The 'Wreath Crew'

All Hands On Deck

As of last count we are down in sales by over 200 wreaths, with just under 350 units sold.  While this is not ideal (as this is what pays the coaches’ salaries and how we keep our registration prices so low compared to the other local YMCA swim teams) it will cover a good portion of the team expenses.  We need a bit more help to see this fundraiser through to completion.  Please volunteer as much as your schedule allows as it is parent participation that makes this team as great as it is!!!

 

Sunday Morning, November 20 – the wreaths are delivered to the YMCA by 10 am and we will need volunteers to help unload the truck.  Please send an email to smoore@pct.edu if you can be at the YMCA at 9:45am to help prepare the room and help unload the truck.  As always the more volunteers we have the quicker we will get done!  We need a MINIMUM of 5 to 7 volunteers to carry this off.

 

Sunday Late Morning, November 20 – volunteers needed by 10:15am at the JS YMCA so we can prepare/organize the wreaths for pick-up (we have to put on around 600 pinecones!). This is the bulk of our workload and we need a minimum of about 20 parents/swimmers to get the wreaths processed for pick-up.  Again, please send an email to smoore@pct.edu if you can help add pinecones to the wreaths and sort/prepare the orders. We also need to “pull” about 350 bows…so keeping with the “theme” the more volunteers we have, the quicker we can get everything organized!!!  With just under 400 units, we will need all the help we can get, so bring your helpful swimmer(s) along with you!  (Even the littlest swimmers are excellent helpers at the wreath sale!

 

Sunday Afternoon, November 20 – volunteers needed by 11:30am at the JS YMCA for distribution and pick-up. If you aren’t available to help in the morning, please consider helping organize the distribution, pick-up and clean-up (boy there are a lot of pine needles after we get done!)  We need a minimum of 10 to 15 parents/swimmers to get the wreaths processed for pick-up.  Again, please send an email to smoore@pct.edu if you can help with this time. 

Veteran Parents…Please note ADJUSTED Pick-up hours are from 11:30am – 1:30pm.  ALL orders MUST be picked up by 1:30pm.

Day 3 - Jersey Shore Swimmers Finish Strong In Nittany Lion Aquatic Club Invitational

Results can be viewed here.

Warm-ups for the start of the Sunday aftenoon
session (click on photo to enlarge).

Stands begin to fill up the the Sunday aftenoon session of the Nittany Lion Aquatic Club Invitational at PSU's McCoy Natatorium (click on photo to enlarge).

Haven Area Aquatic Club coach, Joel Blesh, working with the Jersey Shore and Lock Haven
swimmers during warm-ups.



Jesey Shore teammates Emma, Kendra, and Sam cheer on Gabbie in lane 3 of the 50 yard
backstroke (click on photo to enlarge).



Gabbie encourges teammates Emma (lane 3) and Kendra (lane 4) during
the 100 yard breaststroke (click on photo to enlarge).

Day 2 - Jersey Shore Swimmers at the Nittany Lion Club Invitational

Jersey Shore and Lock Haven swimmers competed on Day 2 (Sat.) at the Nittany Lion Club Invitational at PSU's McCoy Natatorium.

Start of the girls 200 yard individual medley

Learning the Rules

Jersey Shore YMCA head coach, Dave Keegan, attended the Principles of YMCA Competitive Swimming and Diving training session at the Scranton YMCA yesterday.

Ironwomen

Jersey Shore swimmers opened up the competitive swim season on Friday night as they competed in the Nittany Lion Aquatic Club Invitational at Penn State's McCoy Natatorium.

Emma and Kendra all smiles before they tackle the grueling 400 individual medley

Jersey Shore's Number One Swim Fan

We'll Miss You Richard

Dick and Donna Bieda with two of thier grandkids, Emma and Jacob, at the
2011 YMCA States in Penn State's McCoy Natatorium.  Dick passed away today
from complications of a stroke.