2023 Orchard Brook Pool Rats Announcement
Parent-Managers-in-training NEEDED!
Terese and I would like to announce this will be our fourth and last year as the volunteer Parent Managers of the OB Swim Team. It was a blast and we look forward to one last fun-filled swim season! We cannot thank you families enough for all the support you have contributed to make the Pool Rats Swim Team such a wonderful experience to be a part of, and of course to the kiddos for always swimming with a smile, giving us high fives, and being so respectful! We now look to you all for someone(s) to step up and shadow us this year (along with the wonderful Carrie Blonigen) to train, so you are ready for the 2024 swim season.
Please reach out to Terese 773-505-6540 or Andria 708-927-3770 with any questions, to chat, or to throw your name in the hat!!!
Thank you! Terese and Andria
Swim team info:
Hello Orchard Brook Homeowners! It’s that time of the year to start thinking about getting back into the water. Whether your kids have been on the team before or haven’t yet given it a try, we would love to have all kiddos who are interested. Children ages 5-18 are welcome. There will be a Junior Rats program for the younger ones ages 5-7 that just aren’t ready to compete yet but want to come and improve their skills and be part of the team. Junior Rats must be able to successfully swim a half-length of the pool and will be tested on the first day. If they do not pass, perhaps your child would be better interested in OBHA swim lessons (swim lessons are run through OBHA and separate from Orchard Brook Pool Rats Swim Team). We will welcome swimmers from outside the community, within the Belle Aire school district and previous Orchard Brook residents. There will be an additional fee for non-residents.
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, April 12th. From 6:00-8:00 PM, you can register your swimmers. To register there are 3 forms for you to fill out: Registration Form, Volunteer Retainer Acknowledgement, and the Trident Waiver. In addition to the forms, you can submit registration payment along with the required retainer check. We will also have our swimsuit and apparel representative available onsite to help answer questions about swimsuit sizes.
You may register after 4/12; however, if you register on or before that date, you will receive a free Orchard Brook Pool Rat t-shirt. Shirt size orders will be taken that evening (or add to your registration form if dropping off. Please be sure you indicate adult or youth). Shirts should be available prior to our first swim meet.
Practice and meet schedules will be shared once finalized. It is then that we will be able to share all registration forms as well as volunteering duties with you. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at the following email addresses:
Andria Curtis: andriacurtis@gmail.com
Terese Prena: reeset78@yahoo.com
Here is what we know so far:
Generally speaking, Swim season is Memorial Day until early-mid July. Swim Team practice is Mon-Fri 8-9am for 10&unders or 9-10am for ages 11+. Junior Rats are Mon-Thur 10-10:30 a.m. This year’s meet schedule will consist of 8 swim meets, 4 home and 4 away. Attached below is the schedule. We are looking to have an intrasquad meet and the times would count toward qualification for Conference. Date TBD.
We will welcome swimmers from outside the community, within the Belle Aire school district and previous Orchard Brook residents. There will be an additional $25 fee for non-residents.
1 swimmer = $145 ($170 non-resident)
2nd swimmer = $135 ($160 non-resident)
Family Cap = $325 (non-resident Family cap = $375)
Swimmers 15 years of age and older = $65
Junior Rats $125 for first, $110 thereafter
There are several “Special Jobs” that we need help with and a list of those jobs are linked down below. These jobs are necessary (above and beyond the Parent Booster required jobs) in order to run a meet so your help is greatly appreciated. A couple items to note:
One last note, a retainer check in the amount of $150 will be required to ensure that all families do their part and volunteer at meets. We need all hands on deck during these meets in order for them to take place. We truly do not want your money, rather your help. If you are not able to work your required volunteer time, consider hiring a teenager or lifeguard you know to work for you. We love shredding all checks at the end of the season, and don’t want to cash any. Thank you for your understanding.
Practice, meet schedule, all necessary registration forms are below. The SignUpGenius for Special Jobs is below.
If you have any questions, use the contact form below.
Swim Team Apparel Store
2023 Pool Rats Practice Schedule
About the Pool Rats…
The Orchard Brook Pool Rats Swim Team is open to children in the subdivision age 5 through 18. Kids can be part of a fun and competitive swim team right in their own neighborhood. Our swim team is part of the summer-only Trident Swim Conference, which consists of eight swim teams from other subdivisions and home associations in DuPage County. The season begins in early June and ends in an all-teams conference meet in early-mid July.
The Pool Rats are coached by young people in our community who participate on their high school or college swim teams and have a strong desire to work with our children. The team is managed by an Orchard Brook home owner who volunteers to oversee the team and coaches for the summer. Additionally, parents contribute their time and talent to running swim meets and helping with team events.
Registration fees and mandatory fundraising cover the many expenses of the team (conference dues, coaches’ salaries, swim meet supplies, etc.) and a few fun things too, like awards night.
Practices for Pool Rats are held every weekday morning. Swim meets are held Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
Contact the Swim Team
Please send inquiries about the swim team via the form below:
Orchard Brook Home Association 