First Small Group Speciality Swim-camp

Getting Started

The day our First Small Group Specialty Swim-Camp kicked off, the sun was already shining and the air had that unmistakable feeling—like something really good was about to happen. You know those days where everything just feels aligned? This was one of them.

The mental side of swimming

We started with something I truly believe should be part of every camp: a short session focused on mental health and mindset. We talked with the kids about confidence, managing nerves, how to focus, and how to be kind to themselves in and out of the pool. It set such a positive, grounded tone for the day—and honestly, it reminded me how important it is to give kids space to feel heard before diving into performance.

From there, we hit the water, and that’s when the magic really started.

The water portion of the camp

I couldn’t have done it without Alexandra, our amazing assistant instructor. She brought this steady, calm presence that made the kids feel instantly at ease. She was in tune with them—offering encouragement, adjusting techniques, and making it fun without ever losing focus. It made the whole experience that much richer for everyone involved.

And oh, the kids. They were just buzzing with curiosity and energy. You could tell they were genuinely excited to learn—not just to swim, but to improve. They asked questions, tried new things, and supported each other.

One piece of feedback that really stuck with me came from a young swimmer who told me, “I feel so empowered after this camp.” A lot of the swimming tip and tricks I share took decades for me to learn and master. It felt good to know the kids were soaking it up and getting better so quickly.

But if I had to pick one moment that really stayed with me, it was this: our youngest swimmer, maybe 8 or 9 years old, was absolutely lit up with excitement about learning to do a proper flip turn. Every time he got it a little better, he’d pop up with this huge grin on his face and say, “Can we do it again?” And even when the camp ended, he asked if we could keep working on it afterward.

There were plenty of technique wins, confidence boosts, and high-fives throughout the day but more than anything, this camp gave each kid a renewed sense and purpose and joy for swimming that they are excited to take back to their swim team.