Team Aquatic Supplies

About DCSC

The Dartmouth Crusaders Swim Club is a competitive club with approximately 90 swimmers ranging in age from 6 to 18. The club, which started over 30 years ago at the Y building, has been based at the Dartmouth Sportsplex since 1982.

Our swimmers are supported by a talented coaching staff and a willing group of parent volunteers. Our head coach, Michelle Wilson, is a Level IV coach with experience at the Age Group and National Level.  

At DCSC, swimmers develop discipline and learn the importance of setting personal goals.  They develop friendships which last a lifetime. When swimmers graduate from DCSC, they receive a certificate which hangs proudly in many homes.

This dedication pays off:

• DCSC has produced three Olympians: Marie Moore, Andrew Haley and Coach Bill Greenlaw. Haley won a bronze medal at the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta. In 1997, DCSC placed a section of four tiles in the Sportsplex Hall of Fame to honor these achievements.

• DCSC graduates are competing for U.S. colleges on athletic scholarships. Many more race for Canadian universities.

• DCSC placed seven swimmers and a head coach on the 2005 Canada Games Team.  

• DCSC has won nine consecutive provincial team championships. 

• The names of many DCSC swimmers can be found in the Nova Scotia record books.

• DCSC has won numerous national and junior national medals

The Dartmouth Crusaders Swim Club, with its instantly recognizable blue and gold colors, is an institution in Dartmouth. Hundreds of families have seen children and grandchildren graduate from our ranks.

The aim of the Dartmouth Crusaders Swim Club is to provide opportunities for young people:

• to reach their full potential as swimmers and as developing individuals
• to be part of a team and to learn to work with peers toward common goals
• to understand the importance of setting and achieving individual goals
• to develop personal discipline and dedication to excellence

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Coaching Staff

Dartmouth Crusaders Swim Club is pleased to have Michelle Wilson as Head Coach. Michelle has solid coaching experience and a strong commitment to see our swimmers improve and excel. Several dedicated part-time coaches assist Michelle.

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Intro Week

Each year, in early September, the Club offers a one-week introductory tryout. This period is for any new members or any interested swimmers to attend tryouts, learn about the Crusaders, and have our coaches evaluate them to determine which squad they are best suited for. All current Club members are encouraged to tell their friends about the Crusaders, and invite them to swim "free" with us during Intro Week.

Even after Intro Week, interested swimmers are encouraged to contact us about dropping by for a couple of free swims to see if DCSC is for you.  You can start any time in the year as long as there is room in the appropriate squad.

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Practice Times

Practices are scheduled at various times throughout the week, organized around school schedules and pool availability. Please check the Training Schedule  for details. Returning swimmers are assigned a squad level after consultation with the coaching staff. New members will be given an evaluation prior to placement. Different squads can be in the water at different times as it is difficult for us to book all 8 lanes at one time. The one day we all practice is Saturday morning so that is an important day where we try to hold fun team events and time trials (and of course Muffin Morning).

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Club Executive

The Dartmouth Crusaders Swim Club is administered by a small volunteer Board of Directors consisting of parents/guardians of DCSC swimmers who are elected to these positions each year at the Annual General Meeting. There are always tasks that go untouched waiting for a willing volunteer- please see where the swimmers can benefit from your talents and energy!

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Financial Information

Membership Registration Fees are set out each fall in the DCSC Family Fee Worksheet. At first glance, swimming fees are more expensive than other sports. However, they compare quite favorably when you compare the numbers of hours of instruction and competition that you get for the fees. Pool time is expensive and not supported by any municipal subsidies. A novice swimmer will pay approximately $600 a year with up to half of that refunded through fund raising. However assuming no fundraising whatsoever, the cost is still less than $5 per hour.

Payment in the form of post-dated cheques for the amounts corresponding to the swimmer's squad placement is due at registration and must accompany the registration form. The monthly payments represent an installment payment program over the season and do not represent a member's commitment to the club on a monthly basis. Post-dated cheques are retained by the club for monthly deposit. Should your banking situation change, please contact the VP Finance to make alternate arrangements.

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 Fundraising

Any non-profit organization must rely on its members to provide, or generate, revenue to cover its operating expenses. DCSC, like most swim clubs, has a membership fee structure that includes a 'fundraising' portion which simply facilitates payment of your commitment to the club. To minimize the real out of pocket cost, the Club organizes a number of activities to enable members to raise funds toward the fundraising commitment portion of the fees. Many members raise a significant portion of their commitment through fundraising. The Club requires a strong fundraising effort by its members. Any member can simply allow their fundraising cheques to be cashed on the due dates as per the fee schedule. However, operating a sports club requires the support of all its members, and the Crusaders' program cannot be maintained without a strong  fundraising effort. Try to do your part.

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Should you Fundraise?

Absolutely, if for no other reason than the fact that it is TAX-FREE MONEY. When you earn a $50.00 credit through fundraising, you receive the full benefit of that money. However, if you do not fundraise, the dollars you must pay to meet the full membership cost must be earned through employment, which as we all know, is taxed before you get it! If you fundraise in excess of your commitment, the Club will pay for meet related expenses such as meet entry fees and travel costs in proportion to the excess fundraising.

When everyone works together, fundraising can be a worthwhile and satisfying activity, both financially and socially. In the end, everyone (swimmers, parents, and the Club) benefits form an active and strong Club. The Club tries very hard to organize fundraisers that offer something of value to the public in exchange for their support.

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Equipment Requirements

One of the Crusader's strong points is that we always try to look like a team. All team members are provided with a Club swim cap and  T-shirt. DCSC swim suits are available for sale on most Saturday mornings at the Sportsplex at the Club- run Equipment Box. At the start of the year, the coach of the older age groups will advise the swimmers of any other equipment requirements. It is recommended that swimmers buy a lock for use at the Sportsplex and at meets. Please label all your swim clothes and equipment. We have over 100 swimmers with almost identical items. The Club policy is that only Crusader equipment can be worn on the pool deck. Visit the Equipment Box on most Saturday mornings to see what else is available, including polyester suits and swim bags. Order Forms can be completed and left at the DCSC Office. Many items can be specially ordered if there is enough interest and usually include DCSC hoodies, DCSC jackets, Aquablades, Fastskin II's, fins and pull buoys. We also want to increase our visibility to the general public during practice, therefore only yellow caps, with or without the DCSC crest, should be worn.

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Traveling Costs

 Traveling costs are the responsibility of the swimmers or their parents. To cut down on travel costs and to offer the swimmers an opportunity to travel to meets as a team, buses are sometimes chartered for major meets within reasonable traveling distances. For meets close to home, and where there are a small number of swimmers attending, members can organize carpools. Meets in Quebec and further west are usually reached by air transportation. Costs for Club arranged transportation must be paid prior to departure.

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Volunteers

 We are all volunteers, simply trying our best! Volunteers are essential and are required in all facets of the Club's organization. Your contribution of time and energy on any of the committees is always welcome. The club will run more smoothly if everyone pitches in to help. DCSC is run entirely by volunteers who do administrative work, organize meets and are available to answer your questions. Many volunteer jobs come up during the year and are posted in Splash.  Every year we have more ideas for program improvements and fund raisers than we have volunteers.

Part of the club�s revenue comes from meets that DCSC hosts, usually three a year. Families are expected to help at meets by timing, working the canteen or officiating. Families new to swimming or the Club are not expected to participate beyond their knowledge or expertise. The Club and/or SNS will provide training opportunities for timing and officiating. Watch Splash for news on meets or clinics.

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Parent Meetings

Parent meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month and are posted in advance in the DCSC Splash Newsletter and on this website. All club members are welcome to attend. Please attend to see how the Club is run and to raise/discuss issues of interest.

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Splash

Splash, the Club's newsletter, is published weekly to keep members up-to-date with club events. It will include information on upcoming swim meets such as a list of eligible swimmers, and travel times and costs. We are having great success with the e-mail version, which reduces the cost (let us know if you are not receiving it!). Parents should make every effort to obtain and read Splash as soon as it is available. It is the primary method of disseminating general information from the coaches and the executive to the swimmers and their parents. On a regular basis the Club will ask parents through Splash to make decisions regarding meets.

Please note that no response is often a decision and if you do not read Splash regularly, you may find yourself committed to something you do not want, or missing something you really wanted.

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Information Exchange

It is critical for the success of the club that information flows smoothly. To facilitate the exchange of information from 'experienced' club members to 'newer' members, we hope to arrange Parent Representative(s) for each Group. These parents would provide advice and answers to basic issues, such as: meets, equipment needs, carpooling, and other issues, which may help new members to understand the 'system'. If you are interested in helping, please let us know. If you have questions, please ask.

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