Team spirit is a critical part of the success of a swim team! One of the best ways to bring spirit to our team is to be a Otter Swim Buddy! Older swim team members will be matched with a younger swim team members. Buddies will cheer each other on at either practice and/or Championships. Signing up as a swim buddy requires commitment from both participants. Please do not sign-up if you do not feel you can reach out daily to a buddy this week. It does not have to be at practice. But please pre-arrange with your buddy if you are not able to exchange stuff daily. That way no one feels left out. Monday, Buddy Posters boards will be passed out for you to take home to color and decorate. Posters will be due back to practice no later than Wednesday 7/17 at practice. We will be making a hanging "Quilt" of the posters to put up at Champs. If not recieved back you can still give your buddy their poster, but it will not be part of the team hanging poster quilt. Each practice we will have items for your to take home and decorate or bling out for your buddy. Make sure to take pictures!

LINKED FORM TO BE A BUDDY DUE BY 8 PM on 7/14

1. Monday meet and greet your buddy. We will send home poster boards and Bubble Wands. Posters are due 7/17 at practice. Bubble wands are to be decorated and draw a picture for your buddy to exchange with your buddy on Tuesday.
2. Tuesday exchange decorated bubbles with a drawing for your buddy. We will pass out Push Pop bracelet to attach to a letter or peom for exchange with your buddy on Wednesday.
3. Wednesday exchange Push/Pop Bracelet and drawing. A Rock will be sent home for using in a short story you write for your buddy. It can be the Good Luck charm in the fairytale or just the story of your buddy ROCKing it!
4. Thursday exchange rock and story. We will send home fish bowl snack pack craft with sticker. You will see an example of how to make it. Write words of encouragement in a letter for your buddy to include with the fish bowl.
5. Friday exchange fish bowl and letter. Gift bag (5x3x8) will be sent home to decorate and fill. Make a swim meet goody/survival bag for your buddy. Include a good luck note.
6. Saturday exchange bags at the meet. Go Otters!Find your buddy at the start of the meet to do the exchange, and ask what events they are doing so you can cheer them on!

For the over achievers below are additional ideas on what else you can do for your Buddy:

• At Champs - Find your Swim Buddy, and give them an encouraging note and snack! Give them a high-five after they swim! GO OTTERS! If this is your Buddy's first year of swim team, give them extra encouragement!
• Take a picture with your Buddy send it to a board member. We would love to share your photos on Instagram!
• Make your Buddy another poster to display at the meet in their ezup or yours.
• Give your Buddy their favorite snack or treat from their "About Me" form.
• Buy your Buddy a donut or treat and something to drink at the meet.
• Make a card for your Buddy or draw a picture of them doing their favorite stroke.
• Give your Buddy a healthy snack to prepare them for the week of Champs!

Other ideas can be found at Pinterest