CONGRATULATIONS to the athletes that passed the first swim test last Saturday! As long as you have a physical on file with the Woodson Athletic Dept and have filled out the Woodson Athletics Registration, you can now participate in optional on-the-water sessions! Your first day attending should be a Monday so that you can receive an initial orientation. After that, come to any and as many days as your schedule allows. Go to our website to sign up and for more information: Green Days
1. SLACK – WHAT IS IT AND WHY DO I NEED IT?
2. ARE YOU GETTING THIS NEWSLETTER VIA E-MAIL?
3. NEXT SWIM TEST, SATURDAY 9/28
4. SLIDES FROM PARENT & ATHLETE INFO SESSION, TUES 9/24, 7:30p
5. VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES!
A. LAST FALL VASRA WORKDAY, 9/28
B. FOOTBALL CONCESSIONS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED, FRI 10/18
C. **DATE CHANGE & URGENT NEED** RENTAL ERG RETURN & WORKDAY, SAT 10/26
D. TAG DAYS, SAT 10/26 and SAT 11/2
E. 31st ANNUAL CRAFT SHOW, SAT 11/9
6. GREEN DAYS & OPTIONAL STRENGTH TRAINING ARE ONGOING
7. CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE
WAIT – THERE’S MORE?
ACTION ITEMS
1. Join our Slack Community
2. Review Volunteer Opportunities and Sign Up!
1. SLACK – WHAT IS IT AND WHY DO I NEED IT?
If you recently received an invitation to join Slack – DO NOT DELETE IT. It’s legit! If you attended the parent/athlete information meeting on Tuesday 9/24, you should have an invite waiting for you already. Please check your spam folder. If there is nothing there, reach out to our communications team to learn more or to receive an invitation link.
Slack is a communications tool combining the best elements of text messaging and email. We use Slack for more immediate communications than this newsletter. There are 2 separate Slack spaces: one for coach and athlete communications and a separate space for parent/guardian communications.
Parent / Guardian Slack: In addition to push notifications for team related information such as weather or other cancellations, Slack creates a space for parents to be able to coordinate carpools, and other team related logistics. If you are a parent or guardian and are not yet on Slack, please send an email to [email protected] with the following information: (1) your name, (2) your email address, and (3) the full name of your athlete. Once your request is processed, you will receive a separate invite link from Slack to join. There is an app you may download on your mobile devices to access Slack or you may log-in using any browser.
Coach / Athlete Slack: Coaches will ensure that all athletes are added to this Slack space. Athletes not currently on Slack should let coaches know at green days or optional strength training. Please note that you must have a NON-FCPS email to join this space. Parents and guardians do not have direct access to this space. This is your athlete’s responsibility and an opportunity for them to learn to communicate more readily and effectively with their teammates and coaches.
2. ARE YOU GETTING THIS NEWSLETTER VIA E-MAIL?
If you’re getting this newsletter via email, then just skip to the next item! If you are not getting this email, there are 2 possible problems:
(1) your email address is not associated with a Google account. Since we use Google Groups to manage the distribution of this newsletter, users MUST have their email associated with a Google Account.
(2) your Google Group Subscription settings have email turned off
Either problem is easily remedied. Please see this Google Support page to get started. If you continue to have problems, reach out to [email protected].
3. NEXT SWIM TEST, SATURDAY 9/28
If you are interested in trying out Woodson Rowing, please set aside 11a-12p on Saturday,9/28 to come take a swim test. This test is only required for new recruits – if you have previously taken a swim test with Woodson Rowing, you are not required to do so again. The swim test will begin promptly at 11a at Audrey Moore Rec Center, 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale, VA.
NOTE: We need a parent volunteer to help with logistics!! If you haven’t yet, let us know you’re coming by signing up here: Swim Test Sign Up.
If you are a new athlete and were/are NOT able to make last week’s swim test or the one this Saturday, please reach out to [email protected] to be placed on a list for future swim tests. We will have another round of swim tests in the fall before on-the-water practices begin.
4. SLIDES FROM PARENT & ATHLETE INFO SESSION, TUES 9/24, 7:30p
Thank you to all who were able to come by the Parent & Athlete information session on Tuesday! If you weren’t able to make it or just want a refresher, you can find the slide deck here: 2024 Parent Info Session Slides.
Also, a new addition to our website is the Novice Tips page crafted by parent, Cindy Tomlinson. If you’re curious about the experience of a first time parent on Woodson Rowing, check it out!
5. VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES!
As was discussed in the parent information meeting, here a a recap of the volunteer requirements for the 2024-2025 season:
Rest assured that the vast majority of families meet or exceed their volunteer commitments. Should you have questions or concerns about your ability to meet the volunteer requirements, reach out to Lisa Veigel, our Volunteer Coordinator. But also remember that there are many ways to earn your credits. Most volunteer responsibilities require NO prior experience or information. Volunteering helps the team to run efficiently and effectively AND is a great way to get to know each other.
Listed below are all the current volunteering needs we have, but all of our volunteering opportunities are always just a click away on our website. Visit and bookmark our volunteering page to stay up-to-date on how you can help the team!
A. LAST FALL VASRA WORKDAY, 9/28
Slots are still available for 9/21 and 9/28. We’ve only had 2 families show up so far and each school is expected to send one volunteer for each clean up day; e.g. 4 or more Woodson volunteers total. No experience necessary. Most of the activities are messy and dirty. Dress in your worst gardening gear, but make sure to have fully covered shoes, not flip flops. Make sure you note your affiliation with Woodson when you sign up: VASRA Work Days Sign Up
B. FOOTBALL CONCESSIONS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED, FRI 10/18
Every team at Woodson is responsible for working the concession stand at a Woodson Football game. Woodson Rowing has been assigned to staff concessions for the homecoming football game on Fri., October 18. There are two shifts – 6:15-8:00 and 8:00-9:45 PM. We need 9 volunteers for each shift. This is a fun opportunity to get some volunteer credits early AND get to watch the game. Sign up here: Football Concessions Sign Up.
C. **DATE CHANGE & URGENT NEED** RENTAL ERG RETURN & WORKDAY, SAT 10/26
Erg rental return will take place on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 8a-12p. Yes – this is the same day as Tag Day. Athletes should plan to return their erg and then join Tag Days. Parents – if you’re not driving for Tag Day, please stick around to help with the erg shed workday. Many hands make light work for servicing these critical pieces of equipment!! Location will be the erg shed at the back of the school (near the senior parking lot). Erg Shed Workday Sign Up
D. TAG DAYS, SAT 10/26 and SAT 11/2
Tag Days are the Woodson Rowing team’s most important fundraiser of the year. The dates for Tag Days are set in conjunction with all of the teams/clubs at Woodson. For this season, Woodson Rowing has been assigned Saturday, October 26 and Saturday, November 2 as our authorized Tag Days. Please sign up here – we need all hands on deck to make this event work!! Stay tuned for more information as the dates get closer, but if you have general questions please see our Tag Days webpage for information.
E. 31st ANNUAL CRAFT SHOW, SAT 11/9
Our annual craft show is back! Mark your calendars now for Saturday, November 9, 2024 from 10a-4p. Set up for the event will begin Friday, November 8 and we will need all hands on deck to make it a success! Helping out at set-up, the day of, and SHOPPING are all ways to help out this large fundraiser for our team. Sign up to help here: Craft Show Volunteer Sign Up.
We are always looking for new and returning VENDORS for the Craft Show! Please contact any artisans/crafters/makers in your life and let them know you’d love to see their wares on site at Woodson. Vendors can register here: 2024 Craft Show Vendor Registration.
6. GREEN DAYS & OPTIONAL STRENGTH TRAINING ARE ONGOING
All athletes MUST have a physical on file with the Woodson Athletic Dept and have filled out the Woodson Athletics Registration in order to participate in training with Woodson Rowing. In addition, athletes must have completed a swim test to participate in Green Days. Visit our website for more information. Note: There is no Green Day on Thursday, October 3 because of the school holiday.
7. CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE
This calendar is constantly updated as events are added. Scroll here for a quick rundown of what’s up and coming. Where relevant and/or available, links are provided for more information. You can also see a visual representation of our calendar on our website: https://woodsonrowing.org/calendar/
SEPTEMBER:
- Thu, 9/26: Green Days at Sandy Run, 4:45p
- Sat, 9/28: Swim test for new athletes, 11a-12p at Audrey Moore Rec
- Sat, 9/28: VASRA work day
Mon, 9/30: optional strength training at Woodson, 6:30-7:30a - Mon, 9/30: Green Days at Sandy Run, 4:45p
OCTOBER:
Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays: Green Days at Sandy Run, 4:45p
Mondays and Wednesdays: optional strength training at Woodson, 6:30-7:30a
- Fri, 10/18: Football concessions
- Fri, 10/25: Kokee Tea fundraiser, 3-7p
- Sat, 10/26: Erg Shed Work Day and return rented ergs, 8a-12p
- Sat, 10/26: First Tag Day, 8:45a – 4p
- Tue, 10/29: Final Green Day, 4:45p
- Tue, 10/29: Wendy’s restaurant fundraiser, all day long!
NOVEMBER:
- Sat, 11/2: 2nd Tag Day, 8:45a – 4p
- Fri, 11/8: Set up for the craft show, details TBD
- Sat., 11/9: 31st Annual Craft Show, 10a-4p
DECEMBER:
- Mon, 12/2: Winter Conditioning Begins
JANUARY 2025:
- Winter Conditioning will continue.
FEBRUARY:
- Fri, 2/21: last day of Winter Conditioning
- Tue, 2/25: first day of on-the-water practice!
MARCH:
- Fri, 3/21: First team dinner, directly after practice, place TBD
- Sat, 3/22: Polar Bear Regatta (Varsity Only), Sandy Run
WAIT – THERE’S MORE?
RECRUITMENT:
Direct interested athletes and their parents to our interest form or have them send an email to our membership team at: [email protected].
STAY UP TO DATE: Join the newsletter by sending an email to [email protected] or view the newsletter archives on our website.
INTERESTED IN SPONSORING WOODSON ROWING?
Visit our Sponsorship Page or contact Woodson Rowing Fundraising.
Can’t sponsor but want to donate?Check out our Donors page for instructions and information on how your donations benefit our team!
NEED SWAG?
There are many ways for you to shop and benefit the team all while sporting your support! See our Spirit Wear Page for more info!
VIEW AND UPLOAD PHOTOS: Visit our Woodson Rowing photos page for more information on how you can help protect our legacy with photographs!
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