Welch 2015 Parent Volunteer Drawing award winners

Congratulations to Sue Wilson and Chris Gabany who respectively won our 1st prize ($80 CRPR gift certificate) and 2nd prize ($40 CRPR gift certificate) 2015 Welch Parent Volunteer Drawing awards.  Their volunteer efforts at Welch meets and fun events, as well as the valued time and efforts from everyone else were greatly appreciated and helped make our swim meets and team activities run more efficiently.  We hope that everyone enjoyed the 2015 Welch Swim Team season and we look forward to your return in 2016.

Welch Banquet is still a GO!

We are still a GO for tonight's Banquet.  The Weather report has some isolated showers and some instability in and around the area.

Welch Parents, please don't forget to sign up for CHAMPS volunteers.  We need to fill more Welch spots for this league Championship.

CHAMPS (11 & Older) is TUE, 7/28 at SPRA.
Welch Parents who wish to volunteer for meet positions go to the CHAMPS-Bigs link below:

*2015 CHAMPS Bigs (11 & Up) TUE 7/28 at SPRA - Parent meet volunteer sign-up

CHAMPS (10 & Under) is THU, 7/30 at the Penns Valley - Millheim Pool.
Welch Parents who wish to volunteer for meet positions go to the CHAMPS-Littles link below.

*2015 CHAMPS Littles (10 & Under) THU 7/30 at Penns Valley - Parent meet volunteer sign-up

Go Welch Sharks!

Welch Banquet update

Sunday (7/25) is our scheduled Welch Team Banquet/Picnic at the Welch Pool.  We will celebrate our team's 2015 swim season with food, awards, slideshow (weather permitting) AND of course, swimming.

As with any outdoor event, we must be alert to the weather and based upon weather information will make every attempt to provide you with updated info and a go or no go call before 12 noon if possible.  Therefore, please monitor our Welch blog and facebook page for updates from late morning and afterwards.  Also note that we can still have the banquet with some mild rain.  However, we would not be able to present the slideshow if it is raining.  Alternate viewing options would be attempted.

WELCH FRIDAY FUNDAY!

Welch Sharks you earned your FRIDAY FUNDAY!

• 8:00 to 9:00 AM for ages 11 and Up
• 9:00 to 10:00 AM for ages 10 and Under

Enjoy some extra rest and return refreshed to WELCH Pool.

If you still have not made you family donation, please consider stopping by Welch Pool and placing your greatly appreciated and needed donation in our Welch wooden lock-box.

Also please make sure you submitted your Welch Swim Team Banquet online RSVP or regrets link.

If you pre-ordered a 2015 CHAMPS shirt, we will have those available to pick-up at practice from 9 to 9:45AM FRI.

AWAY meeet tonight (THU 7/23) at SPRA reminder

Welch Parents,
A couple of quick reminders about tonight's AWAY meet at SPRA (Science Park Recreation Association) located at 758 Science Park Road, State College 16803.

1. We need to fill 10 more volunteer positions:
   • 2 Seeders/Seating help in each 1st & 2nd half.
   • 2 Scorers/Averagers in each 1st & 2nd half.
   • 1 Timer - 2nd half
   • 1 Stroke & Turn Official - 2nd half
   Go to our Volunteer sign-up link to fill in your valued position.  Thanks
   • Meet Volunteer Sign-up Link - July 23 (THU) Welch at SPRA
2. When parking at the SPRA meet, DO NOT PARK IN WONDERLAND CHARTER SCHOOL PROPERTY.  You can park on the SPRA property or further up on/near SPE Federal Credit Union.
3. Don't forget to submit your RSVP or regrets for this SUNDAY's Welch Banquet.  We ask that you indicate the number of children that are age 10 or under AND please leave a note if you do not want pizza.
   • Welch Swim Team Banquet online RSVP or regrets link 
    

 Thank you and see you at tonight's meet.

GO WELCH SHARKS!!!

2015 Welch Swim Team Banquet

**If you have not yet made your "Team Donation" please do so ASAP.  To date, only 59 out of 127 families have contributed.  Those contributions directly fund our activities, awards, coaches' gifts and food purchases.**

Welch Swim Team Picnic is scheduled for Sunday, July 26.  Please use our online form to RSVP or send your regrets by 5pm THU (7/23).  We ask that you indicate the number of children that are age 10 or under AND please leave a note if you do not want pizza.

• Welch Swim Team Banquet online RSVP or regrets link

Our Team's end-of-the-year awards banquet is SUNDAY, July 26 from 6:00 PM - 9:30/9:45 PM at the Welch Pool for all Welch Sharks Swim Team Members and their immediate family (siblings & parents).  The evening will include a team picnic, awards, slideshow, swimming with pool relays & games (parents too!).

The team will provide pizza and cake.  At this time, it might be BYO-SD (bring your own soft drink).  We say this now in case we do not have enough regular season donated drinks remaining for everyone after our last home meet.


Like in prior years, we need your help with side dishes to complete our celebratory feast.

Families with last names beginning with the letters:

• A through G please bring a Green salad or Pasta salad
• H through O please bring Fruit or Vegetable dish
• P through Z please bring Chips, Crackers and/or Pretzels

**Please label your dish/item if it is GLUTEN FREE, VEGETARIAN, or CONTAINS NUTS**

You don't need to list what you are bringing to the banquet - simply RSVP or adjust no later than 5:00 PM THURSDAY - July 23 with the total amount of people (Adults/kids 11 & up and kids 10 & under) coming from your immediate family (Welch Shark Swimmer plus siblings & parents) so that we can get a head count of how much pizza to provide.  Also, please add a note if you do not wish to have pizza.

Timeline:
6:00pm - Drop-off food & setup chairs
6:15pm - Greeting & pizza is served
7:00pm - Cake is served
7:30pm - Awards
8:15pm - Slide show
8:30pm - Pool relays & games (Parents too!) :-)

As always, many thanks to all and we hope to see everyone on SUNDAY NIGHT to celebrate our valued swimmers, coaches and parents!

If you can not access this sign-up please email the team at
Welch[dot]Sharks[dot]Swimteam[at]gmail[dot]com

Our tentative rain date for this event will be the following SUNDAY, AUG 2nd.

 Go Welch Sharks!

Weekly+1 UPDATE - July 19 - July 26

Another jam packed week for the Sharks before the week of our team banquet and CHAMPS.

1. Home meet on TUE (July 21) at Welch Pool vs. SPRA
   (A) Swimmer entry sign-ups  must be given directly to your coaches.
   (B) Welch Parent Volunteer sign-ups for the meet and concessions can be completed by clicking the links below.  Please continue to support the team and assist the other volunteers by selecting an unfilled volunteer position.
   • Meet Volunteer Sign-up Link - July 21 (TUE) SPRA at Welch
   • Concession FOOD Donation Sign-up Link - July 21 (TUE)
2. Welch Sharks Pancake Breakfast – THU– AM (July 23) after each practice session.
   As our swimmers ready themselves for their big meet at SPRA, Welch Parents will help to cook and serve pancakes to all our hungry sharks.  Parent sign-ups for those who wish to loan equipment (griddle), and help make and serve pancakes to our feeding frenzy of sharks is here.
   
   • Welch Pancake Breakfast Volunteer & Equipment Sign-Up
3. Away meet on THU (July 23) Welch at SPRA
   (A) Swimmer entry sign-ups for the last regular season meet can be made on the team’s black & gold board.
   (B) Welch Parent Volunteer sign-ups for this away meet at Science Park Recreation Association (SPRA) can be made at the link below.
   
   • Meet Volunteer Sign-up Link - July 23 (THU) Welch at SPRA
4. League CHAMPS is TUE (7/28) and THU (7/30).  Swimmers must swim in at least two (2) regular season meets to participate AND submit their sign-up card by THU (7/28).  This is a SCRATCH ONLY event; we can not add swimmers past the THU entry deadline.  Please see the CHAMPS tab page for more VERY IMPORTANT information.
5. Welch Swimmers please check our/your new family file folder for any Welch Team awarded meet ribbons that you have earned.
6. Welch Swim Team Picnic is scheduled for Sunday, July 26.  Please use our online form to RSVP or send your regrets by 5pm THU (7/23).  We ask that you indicate the number of children that are age 10 or under AND please leave a note if you do not want pizza.
   
   • Welch Swim Team Banquet online RSVP or regrets link
7. Welch Meet Results back online.  We added a "Meet Results" banner tab page with links to PDF's of this season's regular season results due to technical issues with CPSL's website www.scswimdive.com

Swimmer's Team Awards & CHAMPS Medals & Ribbons available for Pick-up

Welch Sharks Swimmers' Team Banquet AWARDS that were not picked up at the banquet as well as CPSL CHAMPIONSHIPS MEDALS & RIBBONS will be available for pick-up at the Welch Pool Main Entry Desk from Parks and Rec. staff until the pool's season closing week. After the season closing, the awards will be available for a limited time at Centre Region Parks & Recreation main office located in the C.O.G. building on Gateway Dr. in Cato Ind. Park.

When picking up items, please sign the staff provided sheet(s) for the items selected. Thank you very much for a fun filled 2014 summer swim season.

THE Welch Sharks Swim Team - The final countdown to season end.

Final Practices, Awards, and general housecleaning:

1. We will have Ages 10 & Under regular morning practice through THU (July 31).
2. The FINAL FRIDAY FUNDAY (Aug 1) is for ALL AGES OF SHARKS:-8:00 AM for Ages 11 & Up
   -9:00 AM for ages 10 & Under
   Again all are invited & encouraged to attend FRIDAY (Aug 1) FUNDAY for the last hurrah of the Sharks 2014 Summer Swim League Season.  We will provide snacks. :-D
3. Sharks who did not receive their Welch Team banquet awards please come to the remaining Welch practice before the close of the season (FRI Aug 1) to receive your awards.  Team availability will be very limited after this week and will be at the Team's convenience.  Swimmer awards will not be carried over to next season.
4. Ages 11 & Up TUE night Champs swimmers please either stop by THU's (8:00 AM to 9:45 AM) 10 & Under practice, THU CHAMPS Meet at Park Forest, or 2014 FINAL FRIDAY FUNDAY to receive all your earned CHAMPS medals & ribbons from the Team's coaches and staff.
5. CHAMPIONSHIPS for Ages 10 & Under is THU, July 31 at Park Forest Pool.  Welch warm-up times are 5:15 PM to 5:35 PM.  Give yourself ample time to check in with coaches upon arrival.  Parking areas include the pool lot, and both school lots at the top of the hill.
6. CHAMPIONSHIPS 10 & Under Welch Parent Meet Volunteer positions are still available.  Please use our online sign up page to volunteer for the last meet of the season.  Get out the weeds and background grass and get close to the action of your swimmers' meet.  There are a number of 2nd half positions yet to fill.
7. Like last season, THE Welch Sharks Swim Team will donate any unopened regular (non-snack) foods from our Team's concession supply to The State College Food Bank.  Remaining soft drinks will be donated to the Alpha Fire Company.
8. Any current Welch Parent who might be interested to assist with the Team's 2015 operations, please send an email to me at the Team Parent Rep email address and place in your subject line:
   
   SUBJECT:  2015 WELCH Season
   

   If possible, please identify any particular team areas that you would be interested to serve or coordinate.  The Team Parent Contact email address is:

   Welch[dot]Sharks[dot]Swimteam[at]gmail[dot]com

*UPDATE* BANQUET RESCHEDULED TO MONDAY (tomorrow 7/28) 6:15 PM to 9:15 PM

The title tells the story.  Note the changes in day to Monday, 7/28 and slight push back on time period.  Please adjust your online RSVP if necessary to reflect any changes to entered info.

The online RSVP link is below:

*RESCHEDULED to MON. 7/28 - Welch Sharks Swim Team Awards Banquet online RSVP link

RESCHEDULED BANQUET SUMMARY:

• What: Welch Sharks Awards Banquet for Welch swimmers, siblings & parents.
• Date:  MONDAY, July 28
• Time:  6:15 PM to 9:15 PM
• Where:  Welch Pool
• Reminders:  Please bring your side dish or dessert to share with all as originally planned and your own soft beverage.  The team will provide pizza.

Join us to celebrate our Sharks and the season.  All Sharks will receive special attention.  We hope to see all of you at the pool.

PS:  Remember to sign-up to volunteer at this week's CHAMPS

PS PS:  Find us on Facebook under the name Welch-Sharks Swim-Team (note the hyphens)

**UPDATE** Welch Awards Banquet Postponed

Sorry Sharks, we are postponing Sunday's scheduled Welch Awards Banquet due to the forecasted bad weather for tomorrow evening (Monday does not look much better).
 
We will announce a rescheduled date and time shortly. So be sure to look for updates on FB and the blog and at that time adjust your previously entered RSVP.  Thank you for your understanding.

Also, remember to sign-up to be a meet volunteer for this week's CHAMPS meets.

2014 Welch Sharks Swim Team Awards Banquet - RSVP by WED - 7/23

The 2014 Awards Banquet for THE Welch Sharks Swim Team will be held at the Welch Pool on SUN 7/27 from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM for all Welch Sharks Swim Team members and their immediate families (siblings and parents).  We need your online RSVP no later than WED - July 23; the link is provided here:

*THE Welch Swim Team Awards Banquet 2014 online RSVP*

The team will provide pizza.  At this time, it is BYO-SD (bring your own soft drink).  This requirement is due to the lower level of family drink donations received to date and the amount we will need for our THU, July 17 home meet and also for our Team's hosting of big kid CHAMPS on TUE, July 29.

If you have not yet made your "Team Donation" please do so ASAP.  Those contributions directly fund our activities, awards, coaches' gifts and food purchases.

Like in prior years, we need your help with desserts and side dishes to complete our celebratory feast.

Families with last names beginning with the letters:

• A through K please bring a dessert item
• L through Z please bring a side or salad dish

**Please label your dish/item if it is GLUTEN FREE, VEGETARIAN, or CONTAINS NUTS**

You don't need to list what you are bringing to the banquet - simply RSVP no later than WEDNESDAY - July 23 with the total amount of people coming from your immediate family (Welch Shark swimmer(s) plus siblings & parents) so that we can get a head count of how much pizza to provide.

As always, many thanks to all and we hope to see everyone on Sunday night to celebrate our valued swimmers, coaches and parents!