OROVILLE ORCAS SWIM TEAM

There are many volunteer opportunities with the Orcas Swim Team. Our program depends on the support and involvement of our families—this is truly a team effort!

To help ensure a successful season, each family is required to complete 10 volunteer hours per season.

Below are the different opportunities available to earn your required hours:

Fireworks Booth

All families are required to sign up for one shift at the Fireworks Booth. Shifts range from 2–4 hours, depending on the time you choose.

• Setup / 1st Shift: Unload the connex box and set up the booth. Help customers, encourage them to purchase from us to support the team, and sell items using the iPad/scanner.
• Midday Shifts: Assist customers, sell items, and encourage purchases—especially bundles, larger items, and add-ons—to help maximize support for the team.
• Closing Shift: Continue sales until 30 minutes before closing. Then pack up the booth, secure the connex, and turn in all electronic devices and money to a board member.

Timers

All families attending a dual meet or weekend invitational must sign up for one timing shift per day their swimmer competes. Shifts are typically 1–1.5 hours.

Timing is one of the easiest and most enjoyable jobs—you get a front-row view of your swimmer’s race! Experienced parents are always nearby to help, and if you’re timing during snack or lunch… you might even score some free food 😊

Timer Responsibilities
Timers sit behind the starting blocks and use either a stopwatch or a plunger to record swimmers’ times. For longer races, timers also help keep track of lap counts.

• Stopwatch Timer: Start the stopwatch when you see the light or hear the buzzer. Stop it when the swimmer touches the wall at the finish. Record the time on the provided sheet.
• Plunger Timer: Press the plunger button when the swimmer touches the wall at the finish.

Stroke & Turn Officials

Officials play a vital role on the team. They typically volunteer 4–8 hours per day at invitationals. Officials observe swimmers during races to ensure all strokes and turns are performed legally.

Training is provided, and the benefit of the doubt is always given to the swimmer. Please note: we are unable to compete for medals and ribbons without certified officials. 

Snack Bar

Snack bar volunteers help set up, serve/sell items, and clean up at the end of the event. Shifts typically earn 2–4 volunteer hours, depending on the assignment.

Awards Booth

Awards booth shifts are typically 2–3 hours during home dual meets. Volunteers:

• Collect race cards from each event
• Determine 1st–6th place based on times
• Write swimmers’ names, events, and times on ribbons
• Sort ribbons by team for distribution at the end of the meet

Runner

This is a vital role for home dual meets—and no actual running required 😊
Shifts are typically 1–1.5 hours.

Runners collect race cards from timers after each event and deliver them to the awards booth.

Setup & Takedown

These important roles typically involve 1–2 hour shifts at the beginning or end of a meet.

Volunteers help with:

• Setting up/taking down canopies, blocks, flags, and tables
• Cleaning the pool deck
• Transporting items to and from off-site storage

Announcer / Starter

This is a paired role with 2–3 hour shifts. Volunteers are responsible for:

• Making announcements throughout the meet
• Announcing each event
• Starting races using the buzzer

Training is required for these positions.

Other Event Volunteers

Throughout the season, additional volunteer opportunities may be available, such as:

• Serving food at Awards Night
• Assisting with equipment setup (e.g., putting in or removing blocks)

These opportunities will be posted on the team website as they become available.