Regional Diversity Select Camp

 

To further evolve the Diversity Camps pathway and identify emerging young, diverse athletes in varying regions and offer a unique motivational and educational experience, USA Swimming will pilot the Regional Diversity Camps starting 2021. This integral step will help athletes move from the local and regional level onto the national scene.

 

For 2021, USA Swimming will host the Regional Diversity Select Performance Workshop in lieu of the in-person camp.

The application window is now closed.

Important Update

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 USA Swimming Zone Select and Regional Diversity Select Camps will be canceled. In lieu of these absent programs, USA Swimming is announcing the Zone Select Performance Workshop and the Regional Diversity Performance Workshop to continue providing opportunities for our athletes at the age-group level. Dates for these events will be announced soon. 

Selections for the Zone Select Performance Workshop will be conducted automatically through the SWIMS database and selected participants will be contacted directly. Selections for the Regional Diversity Performance Workshop will be conducted via an online application that will be open February 22 through March 22 and will be available on the Regional Diversity Select Camps’ page.

 

A new grant program for LSCs to conduct camps will be unveiled later this month. More details to come soon.

 

Please see the full announcement here.

Goals of the camp:
To empower athletes from diverse backgrounds and under-represented populations to:

• Demonstrate the viability of multicultural success in swimming
• Achieve performance excellence at every level of the sport
• Expound the benefits and value of participating in the sport of swimming
• Be positive leaders and role models that others from multicultural backgrounds can emulate.
Application Process

The Regional Diversity Select Camps are application based. USA Swimming will provide a link to apply and will notify athletes of selection no later than six weeks prior to the start of camp. Athletes will be notified directly via email if they have been accepted to the camp. Coaches and parent(s)/guardian(s) will also be copied on this notification.


The application window is now closed.
Qualification Standard

Athletes must have achieved at least one Regional Diversity Select Camp time standard to apply for selection. These times are AAA National Motivational Times for 11-12 year olds. Times must have been achieved in a USA Swimming sanctioned or approved meet (able to be proven in the SWIMS database).*

 

*times swum during the July 2020 sanctioning period will not be counted due to the COVID-19 amendment to Article 202.2.1 of the USA Swimming Rules

SELECTION CRITERIA

Each regional camp will consist of 28 athletes from each competition category.

 

Athletes must represent an underrepresented community and/or an ethnically underrepresented population that is less than 10% of the current USA Swimming membership. These populations can include African American, Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Islander, Native American and others. Other athletes may be accepted if they represent another underrepresented demographic (e.g. LGBTQ+).

14 athletes from each competition category will be selected based on 2019 and/or 2020 SCY or LCM IMX point scores.

 

Then, the fastest applicant in each event will be invited for a total of 14 athletes from each competition category. 2021 selection will look at both SCY and LCM times and compare based on HY-Tek Power Points.
Camp Eligibility

Qualifying period:
September 1, 2018 through August 31, 2020. SCY will be considered. LCM times will receive first preference.

Eligible athletes will be the respective ages at the time of the qualifying swim:

  • Girls: 11-13
  • Boys: 12-14

NOTE: Athletes who wish to attend the Regional Diversity Select Camp shall be US Citizens and be able to represent the USA in international competitions. Athletes who are on or have been on any National Select Camps, National Teams/National Junior Teams or USA Swimming international trips*, including the 2018, 2019 and/or 2020 National Junior team will not be eligible for the Regional Diversity Select Camp. Athletes who previously attended the Zone Diversity Select Camp are not eligible**. Athletes must be Premium USA Swimming members. Flex members must upgrade their membership to be eligible to attend.


*Excluding swimmers who qualified for the National Team and/or National Junior Team for Open Water


**Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, athletes who qualified for the 2020 Zone Diversity Select Camps will maintain their eligibility to qualify for the 2021 Regional Diversity Select Camps.
FULL CRITERIA
Site
Camp locations will be determined by USA Swimming. There will be two different camp sites each year.
Dates
Camp dates will be released as soon as they are confirmed. Camps likely fall in early June.
Cost

Athletes are responsible for purchased airline tickets or mileage to the Regional Diversity Select Camps. LSCs & Clubs are encouraged to assist when possible.

Lodging and meals are covered by USA Swimming for the duration of the camp.


Camp Staff
Staff for the Regional Diversity Select Camps will be selected in two ways. USA Swimming staff will select the Head Coaches & Head Managers for each camp. Three assistant coaches will be selected by an application process. Coaching applicants must represent an underrepresented community and/or an ethnically underrepresented population that is less than 10% of the current USA Swimming membership. These populations can include African American, Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Islander, Native American and others. Others may be accepted if they represent another underrepresented demographic (e.g. LGBTQ+).
Camp Schedule
The Regional Diversity Select Camps will consist of five in-water sessions and a number of classroom sessions. These camps are designed to be a motivational experience for athletes and are not heavy training camps.
Disclaimer
This event may be canceled by USA Swimming upon reasonable notice for any reason, including but not limited to a force majeure event.  If deemed necessary, the event may be reassigned or rescheduled.
Statement of Inclusion
The US Center for Safe Sport and USA Swimming prohibit discrimination against any member or participant on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender expression and gender identity is prohibited (304.3.3). In the event that a question should arise about whether an athlete’s request to participate in a manner consistent with his/her/their gender identity is bona fide, USA Swimming will refer to the Code of Conduct and follow its standard procedures of enforcement.
Questions?

For more information, please contact USA Swimming at rdsc@usaswimming.org.