Hi Julie and Layne,

Your email was forwarded to me by Erin.  The Season-Long group at the bottom of the volunteering page is locked because those positions are different from the regular volunteering positions.  Unlike other swim teams, we have a crew dedicated to setting up and breaking down our equipment.  The equipment crew initially takes all of the tents and other equipment from our storage area and brings it to the pool to store for the swim season.  Actually, this is the last year we'll be doing that because we're expanding the pool house to create a storage area for the HOA and swim team equipment, saving us thousands of dollars per year in storage fees.  What that means to the equipment crew is that all of the swim team equipment will be on site all of the time making it easier for them.  The team arrives at our pool at 5:30 am on Saturday morning to set up the tents and all of the equipment inside the pool area.  For away meets the team still meets around 5:30 am but only collects the tents to deliver and set up at the away site.  The dads then have the day off to sit and relax during the meet or go home and sleep (for some dads that's the best part about being on the team).  When the meet ends around 2:00-2:30 pm, they all regroup at the pool or away site to break down the tents and any other equipment.  The equipment is stored at the pool during the season.  When the last swim meet is over the team comes together once more to put the equipment in storage (but again this will be the last year we do that).  It's hard work but I can tell you dads that join the equipment team never do anything else.  They love the camaraderie and know that mom can relax the whole season and not have to run around trying to get points.  The only major rule is that you need to work every meet (there are only six, including Time Trials).  We allow one missed meet for a major situation but we need all of the dads to show up each meet.  A big perk that is only given to the equipment crew is that for our home meets they get one meal ticket for breakfast and one for lunch, free of charge.  The equipment dads work the hardest (physically) than any other job and we want them to know they are appreciated, so being a guy myself I thought one thing that makes me feel appreciated is food.  So, free food.  Layne, I hope you consider joining the team.  I know they could use your help.  If you are interested, send me a reply and I'll enter your name in.  Thanks for inquiring.

Ray