Photo: Colin Purrington

Membership Options:
Family Membership, Associate Membership, Senior Membership - Membership Rules

Memberships are available, we welcome new members from all local communities.
The Swarthmore Swim Club does not have a residency requirement.
Contact Membership@SwarthmoreSwimClub.org for more information to join us for the season.

2013 Membership Fees
*** NEW Single Membership / A la Carte Option

Membership Types:
Family Membership
Membership in the Swarthmore Swim Club is available to both Swarthmore and non-Swarthmore residents. Members are required to pay a $150 initiation fee and purchase a share of stock in the club, presently $480, which is redeemable when the member leaves the club.

All members are required to pay all dues annually to remain in good standing. The only exception is a "summer away option" in which a member requests a leave status for one year and pays a fee of $100 for the season. This "summer away" option is limited to five families per year and is available on a first-come first serve basis. Single adult members are entitled to receive a season guest pass with a paid membership.

Associate Membership:
This option may be offered once to prospective members for a fee of $100 (the "Associate Membership Fee") plus payment of annual dues, dependent dues, and all current fees and expenses, but not the payment of the par value of a share of stock. Upon the payment of such dues, expenses, and the Associate Membership Fee, an Associate Member has all usage rights for 1 year, but may not vote. The following season, Associate Members must purchase a share of stock at par value, or forfeit the Associate Membership Fee.

If the Associate Member purchases a share of stock the following season, the Associate Membership Fee will be credited toward that purchase. If the Associate Member does not purchase a share of stock the next season, the Associate Membership fee then is forfeited.

Senior Membership: UPDATED SPRING 2012
A. Members who wish to take the “senior option” will keep his or her stock. From the age of 65 to 70 years, members will pay half the regular dues plus the maintenance fee. After 70, members will pay $100 dues plus the maintenance fee. These members will retain voting rights at the annual meeting. Please notify us of your decision to take this option.

B. Prior members who are now seniors and wish to reinstitute their membership can do so by repurchasing a share of stock in the SSC at the present par value. The initiation fee will be waived. The annual dues these members pay will be identical to new senior member rates as specified in (A) above.

C. The senior member option will be available to any member who meets the following conditions:
1.One member of the household is 65 years or older on the opening day of the swim season. (Saturday of Memorial Day weekend)
2. If there is a second member of the household, 55 years of age or older by opening day of the season, they will also be issued a senior membership card under this share of stock.

Any questions relating to membership should be directed to: Membership@SwarthmoreSwimClub.org.

2013 RULES & REGULATIONS

MEMBERS’ ADMITTANCE: All members must present their membership card to enter the swim club. Staff will make every effort to verify the status of members seeking admission without a membership card. However, the failure to have a valid membership card may delay or otherwise limit your ability to use the club facilities. Members who do not show cards on three occasions will be charged a guest fee for each subsequent entry without a card.

GUESTS: All guests must be accompanied by a member age 13 and over and must present a guest pass or pay a guest fee prior to entering the club. Non-swimming guests are not required to pay a fee.

BABYSITTER PASS: For use only by caregiver when accompanied by a member’s child(ren). May be transferred to new caregiver if necessary.

SUPERVISION OF CHILDREN: Children ages 12 and under may not enter the swim club without a member or babysitter at least 13 years old. Exceptions are made for children attending club-sponsored practice for the swim team, dive team, or water show. Such exceptions are limited to the duration of the club-sponsored event.

PERSONAL PROPERTY: The club accepts no responsibility for personal property at the pool. At the end of the summer, unclaimed items will be donated to local charities. Please leave your valuables at home.

SKILL TESTING: Members and guests may be required to demonstrate minimum acceptable swimming skills prior to using certain portions of the club facilities. Children under 12 years old, and others at the discretion of the manager, must pass the following tests:

RED BRACELET: For access to the long area of the L-Pool from the shallow end buoy line to the far wall. Swimmer must enter the water at a depth of 4’ 6” and swim across and back without stopping and without touching the bottom of the pool. If the water level is over the swimmer’s head, the swimmer must also tread water for one minute. A child who does not have a red bracelet may swim WITH AN ADULT in the red bracelet section of the pool from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. This does NOT include use of the slide. A red bracelet is required to use the slide. This does not include access to the diving well or diving boards. A white bracelet is required to use the diving well and/or diving boards. For safety reasons, only one child without a bracelet per adult in the red bracelet section during this time. This activity may be suspended at the discretion of the manager on duty.

WHITE BRACELET: For access to the diving well. In the diving well near the rope, jump or dive into the water, swim across and back with a strong freestyle stroke, tread water for 1 minute, and retrieve a submerged object from the bottom of the diving well.

BLUE BRACELET: For access to the lap pool. In the lap pool, swim two lengths of the pool using a strong freestyle stroke and tread water for one minute. Children must pass and additional test to participate on the swim team.

Please Note: General skills tests will be administered by a Manager or lifeguard. Swim team coaches will administer tests for placement on the swim team.

COURTEOUS BEHAVIOR: Loud, rude, vulgar, and dangerous behavior is not permitted. Dangerous behaviors include, but are not limited to: wrestling, running on the pool deck, dunking, or other inappropriate use of the club facilities. Radios or other audio devices must be used with earphones. Smoking is not permitted on swim club grounds.

BABY POOL: Parents are responsible for the safety and conduct of their children in the baby pool. This pool is for use by children under age 5.

SWIM DIAPERS: Children who are not completely toilet trained are required to wear swim diapers and may not enter the L-Pool or the Lap Pool. Failure to follow this rule may (under worst case conditions) require the closure of the pool for extended periods due to the need to increase chemical levels. Please be considerate of other members. Swim diapers are available for purchase at the office.

FOOD AND BEVERAGES: Please try to limit food and beverages (other than water) to the picnic grove area. If you find it necessary to eat in the pool area, keep all food and beverages on grass areas only and discard trash and recyclables in appropriate receptacles. No alcoholic beverages are allowed on pool property.

Please Note: The PICNIC GROVE is available during all hours of operation. A refrigerator (with complimentary condiments) is provided for members and guests. If you would like to cook on a charcoal grill, please see a manager for assistance with the grill. Once a grill is lit, you are responsible for seeing that it is attended by an adult at all times. Please do not leave it unattended until the hot charcoal has been disposed of by a manager.

DIVING WELL: The deepest end of the L Pool is the only area where diving is permitted. A White Bracelet is required to use the diving well. Only one person is permitted on the diving board at a time. The diving well will be closed for all home dive meets.

LAP POOL: The lap pool is to be used for swimming laps only, no jumping or diving. A Blue Bracelet is required to use the lap pool. Swimmers are expected to share lanes during periods of peak demand. Two swimmers may choose to swim on sides; circle swimming should be used when three or four swimmers are sharing a lane. The lap pool may be restricted to adult use only at the discretion of the manager on duty. Please Note: During busy periods the Manager on Duty may limit the duration members and guests can swim laps or may open part of the L pool for lap swimming. The lap pool will be closed for l home swim meets.

PARKING: Park only in designated spaces. Handicapped parking is available on either side of the front entrance. Overflow parking is available in the lot adjacent to the club driveway on Riverview Road.

INTERACTION WITH LIFEGUARDS:

Our lifeguards have an important and difficult job and their primary responsibility is your safety. Do not distract them with conversation while they are on the guard stand. Please refrain from arguing with the lifeguards. If you do not agree with a decision made by a lifeguard, please address the issue privately with the manager on duty.