Summer Swim Volunteering
We are so excited for the 2026 Summer Swim Season.
It takes a village to create a fun and exciting summer for our community.
We need your help to make this our best season yet!
At NHST, our goal is to run a meet that is both FUN and SMOOTH. To make that happen, we need the help of all our families. Did you know it takes almost 100 volunteers to run a swim meet? That’s why we ask for your help.
Parent Volunteering Requirements
- Four (4) shifts at swim events
- Shifts are the morning (approximately 8-11:30am) or afternoon (approximately 11-2:30pm) at swim meets
- Each family must complete 4 (no matter the number of swimmers on the team)
- Must include a shift at pentathlon and one away meet
- Lane writing for Whale-a-thon is also a shift option
- Families invited to Relays or Finals are asked to volunteer and those shifts will not be counted toward the four shifts
- If you have children all over the age of 13 you are exempt from volunteering
- See below for descriptions of volunteer positions
- Social events are not included in the volunteer requirement
- If you want to help with social events, email us at [email protected] to learn more about open positions.
Some tips...
Don’t miss your scheduled jobs. This will disrupt the flow of our meet and may result in you being charged for missing your shift.
Please arrive on time, ready to work.
All volunteers must sign in before at their required time on the day of the meet and attend training in the meeting room. However, please note, some jobs may require an earlier start than other positions. The Volunteer Coordinator will let you know if that is the case.
IMPORTANT: If you or a family member are unable to fulfill a scheduled job, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY contact Sara Crow so she can find a replacement for you job. If you miss your scheduled job a $125 missed-job fee applies. We do not like to charge you for missing a shift, so please ensure your jobs are filled. Grandparents and babysitters are welcome to work your families shifts.
Volunteer Sign Ups will open up on April 22nd at 9am. Positions are filled on a first come, first serve basis. Please plan your volunteer assignments around any vacations.
If you have questions, our volunteer coordinator, Sara Crow is here to help!
Swim Meet Volunteer Roles
Computers: Responsible for entering lap times for each swimmer for each event. Also, updates swimmer entries in the computer to include disqualifications, backup timer times, and any swimmer deck additions or no-shows.
Concessions: At home swim meets sell food items.
Deck Coordinator: Make sure trash cans are emptied and check bathrooms for issues. Pass out snacks and water to volunteers. Assist meet managers as needed.
Lane Timer: Responsible for manually stopping the stopwatch when the swimmer in their assigned lane touches the wall. This job requires standing throughout the shift. You will be right at the edge of the pool so please make sure to wear shorts/shoes that you don't mind getting wet!
Lane Writer: Write down swimmer times for each event on provided lane slips. Be sure not to let the swimmers walk away before writing down their names and swimmer numbers! This is one of the most important jobs of the meet - detail-oriented volunteers required.
Runner: Responsible for retrieving timer sheets from the Lane-Slip Writers after each event. It’s best to wear tennis shoes that work well on slippery, wet surfaces.
Swimmer Check-in: Responsible for checking in each swimmer before the meet. Write legibly with sharpies first initials, last names and heat/lane assignments on their hands or arms.
Social Event Leads Open Positions
Fun Fridays: Host events Fridays before swim meets to boost team spirit.
KWIC Store: Throughout the season host KWIC (Killer Whale Incentive Coins) exchange events for swimmers to purchase prizes.
Whale-a-thon: Our big fundraiser of the season. Assist in collecting pledges, organizing raffle items, coordinating food for the swimmers.
Concessions: Help purchase, set up and sell food items at all home swim meets.