Parliament Panthers

Summer swim provides a unique opportunity for your child to develop as a swimmer, make friends, and be a part of a community team with kids of all ages. The Mini & Junior Panther Program is for young Parliament swimmers (ages 4-7) who are interested in gaining swim strength and developing their strokes. Evaluations will be conducted to help determine which group is appropriate for your child.

• Mini Panther Program
  • For children ages 4-7 at by June 1st 
  • Mini Panthers is designed for swimmers who demonstrate a certain comfort level and some skills in the water (see requirements below)
  • Practice will begin on Friday, June 19, during morning practice
  • There will be two Mini Panther practice sessions 
    • 9:00-9:40am and 9:50-10:30am
    • Swimmers will participate in one practice session
• Junior Panther Program
  • For children ages 6-7 by June 1st (younger children might move up during the season) 
  • Junior Panthers is designed for swimmers whose skill levels are between Mini Panthers and 8&Unders (see requirements listed below)
  • Practice will begin on Monday, June 8 (est.) and take place during the 8&Under practice session

Evaluations:
After Registration, a Sign Up Genius will be sent to those swimmers who need to sign up for evaluations. Evaluations will be used to place swimmers in the correct practice group: Minis, Juniors, or 8&Under.

• All new swimmers ages 4-7 will be evaluated during the first week of practice.
• For returning swimmers:
  • Any 5-7 year old swimmer who practiced during the 8&Under practice in the 2024 season, will practice during 8&Under practice again this summer and does not need to be evaluated.
  • Swimmers in the Parliament Winter Swim Program might not need to be evaluated
  • All other returning swimmers ages 7 & under need to be evaluated

Requirements to be a Mini Panther:

• Age 4-7 years old by June 1st
• Shows no fear of entering water
• Willingness to separate from parent
• Follows safety instructions such as staying on wall (during group evaluation)
• Put head underwater for 3 seconds
• Able to float on stomach for 3 seconds (without assistance)
• Able to float on back for 3 seconds (without assistance)
• Kick with kickboard (arms straight out) for 5 meters
• Able to swim (without assistance or touching the ground) for 1 meter into coach’s arms

Requirements to be a Junior Panther:

• Age 6-7 years old by June 1st
• Shows no fear of entering water
• Willingness to separate from parent
• Follows safety instructions such as staying on wall (during group evaluation)
• Put head underwater for 3 seconds
• Able to float on stomach for 3 seconds (without assistance)
• Able to float on back for 3 seconds (without assistance)
• Use Kickboard 25 m across pool
• Swim 15m unassisted in lane
• Familiarity with beginning freestyle stroke including breathing to the side - able to do this for 5-10 meters
• Able to kick on back holding kickboard or unassisted - able to do this for 5-10 meters
• Willingness to go into deeper water

Requirements to be an 8&Under:

• All of the requirements of a Junior Panthers, plus
• Swim 2 lengths unassisted in freestyle minimal stopping
• Swim 1 length on back with minimal stopping

Volunteer Requirement:
There is no Swim Meet Volunteer Requirement for Mini or Junior Panthers parents.

What will Mini Panthers do each summer?

• Mini Panthers are included in all Panther swim and dive team events.
• Some Mini Panthers will have the opportunity to swim at some meets. Some pools do a kickboard race or a “deep end dash”. Coaches will notify swimmers before each meet if there is an opportunity to swim. Participation in meets is not required.
• Mini Panthers are working towards swimming in a Monday night “B” meet. Coaches will let parents know when their child is ready to swim in a meet. This is a big deal and everyone loves cheering on our youngest Panthers in the meets!
• The Pool hosts a Lollipop Meet each summer and Mini Panthers are encouraged to attend!

What will Junior Panthers do each summer?

• Junior Panthers are included in all Panther swim and dive team events.
• The Pool hosts a Lollipop Meet each summer and Junior Panthers are encouraged to attend!
• Junior Panthers are expected to swim in Monday Night B Meets!