DOWNLOAD the information packet below and Please click here to view the recording of a new parent orientation meeting held last summer.

The Franklin Knolls Gators is a recreational youth swim team competing in the Montgomery County Swim League (MCSL). Our primary goal is FUN and there is a place for swimmers of all abilities on the team. 

The beauty of swim teams is that boys and girls, middle, high school and elementary school aged children are all on one team supporting each other. Please read on for answers to some common questions that new parents have. 

1. My child has never been on a swim team before - can my child or teen join? YES. Summer swim is a fun, inclusive activity for the Franklin Knolls community that is open to all children 18 and under. Our team has beginner swimmers, recreational swimmers, and experienced swimmers working together for a fun, team-oriented summer swimming experience. For younger swimmers, there will be assessments on May 26, 27, and 28 to determine if Gators, Mini Gators, or lessons are the best fit. 

2. My child is enrolled in other camps/sports and can't make all the practices. Can my child still join? YES. The Franklin Knolls Gators are a highly inclusive swim team. While we encourage attending as many practices and team events as possible, we understand that families have other commitments and interests. 

3. My child is interested in joining, but doesn't want to swim in meets. Can my child still join? YES. Franklin Knolls is a team for swimmers at all levels. Meets are a great way to gauge progress and development, but if your child does not want to swim in a meet, they are not required to. They can attend practices, participate in team social activities, and cheer on their teammates. If they decide they want to swim in a meet, the option is always there. 

4. We cannot make morning practices once school is out. Can my child still join? YES. We know that it can be difficult to make practices during a work or camp day. The Gators also hold afternoon clinics and we try to prioritize swimmers that cannot regularly make practices once school is out. Coaches and senior swimmers also offer private lessons at other times of day. 

5. Is it fun? YES! The Franklin Knolls Gators are about much more than swimming. We are about building community, relationships, fun, fitness, and teamwork for children of all ages. Every Friday we do a social activity with the swimmers like tie-dye or an ice cream social. We dress up for meets and celebrate our team at the end of the season. It's a wonderful way to meet other Franklin Knolls Pool families and foster friendships that will last for years to come. 

6. Does practice still happen when it is cold and rainy? YES, IN general, if the pool is open, practices are ON. The pool only closes due to a lightning threat or if it is raining so hard we can’t see the bottom. Please download the Swimtopia app and enable alerts so you get notified of cancellations. That said, the pool is not heated. The water can be very cold, especially early in the season. We do not want any kids to risk hypothermia or extreme discomfort so we encourage parents to use discretion in determining whether or not to have your kids participate on any given day. Overall, we want every kid to have a positive experience on the team, so please don't feel like you have to push them. 

Eligibility for the Gators Swim Team

Swimmers must be a regular member of Franklin Knolls Pool The criterion for eligibility on the Gators Swim Team is to any member aged 5-18 able to comfortably and safely swim the length of the pool. Swimmers are strongly encouraged to continue taking swimming lessons until they have mastered good technique in all four of the swimming strokes: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. Our swimmers compete at many different skill levels. During any given year, the team has several swimmers with times that are good enough to qualify them for the individual All-Star consideration. At the same time, we have many swimmers celebrating such victories as learning to do the individual strokes properly so as not to be disqualified in competition. All efforts are recognized and encouraged. We pride ourselves on having a supportive culture where all team members are respected, regardless of ability.

While swimming is largely an individual sport, the GATORS experience is marked by very spirited cheering, social activities, and recognition of all victories, both large and small.