December 1, 2024 – REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Welcome to a special edition newsletter about ALL THINGS REGISTRATION!! Read below for all the steps you need to take and what to expect from here on out!

1. HOW DO I GET REGISTERED?

2. ENSURE YOU’VE COMPLETED ALL THE STEPS!
FIRST STEP: Register and pay for Woodson Rowing.
SECOND STEP: Complete the Woodson High School Activity Registration
THIRD STEP: Complete Required Forms

3. PRACTICE BUS SURVEY

4. WINTER CONDITIONING STARTS MONDAY

5. JOIN SLACK

6. CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE

WAIT – THERE’S MORE?


1. HOW DO I GET REGISTERED?
It’s easy! Visit our website at: https://woodsonrowing.org/registration/

A $50 discounted early bird pricing is in effect until December 15, 2024. Don’t delay to take advantage of this discount.

2. ENSURE YOU’VE COMPLETED ALL THE STEPS!
Registration is a multi-step process. All parts are vital to ensure your athlete’s eligibility to participate in crew. Some items are required for winter conditioning, but ALL are required prior to on-the-water practice. To ensure your athlete is eligible to participate in all aspects of training, please follow the guidance provided below. 

FIRST STEP: Register and pay for Woodson Rowing.

Complete on the Woodson Rowing website at: https://woodsonrowing.org/2025registrationform/. If you have more than one student-athlete competing for Woodson Rowing this season, please note that you will only be able to register one rower at a time. After registering your first rower, you will be given the opportunity to link back to the homepage to register your second rower. There is a $50 sibling discount added on-top of the early bird discount, so it’s worth it to get them all registered at the same time.

SECOND STEP: Complete the Woodson High School Activity Registration

Complete on the Woodson Athletics website at: https://woodson-ar.rschooltoday.com/. This is a separate registration required for all athletes at Woodson with required concussion training. If your athlete has already participated in another sport at Woodson this year, you may have already completed this step.

THIRD STEP: Complete Required Forms

  • VHSL Physical form. The VHSL Physical form is REQUIRED prior to beginning winter conditioning. If this has not already been completed please do so as soon as possible! The appropriate form can be found on the Woodson Athletics website, must be dated after May 1, 2024, and must be on file with the Woodson Athletic trainers. The Rowing team does not keep a separate file or copy of the form. Click here for instructions on how to submit your completed forms.
  • FCPS Travel Forms: These forms allow students and parents to drive athletes to regattas and other events related to crew. Please fill out one driver form for each possible driver (student, parents, step-parents, etc.). Hard copies with signatures are required. The 3 forms below can be found on the Woodson Rowing website at: https://woodsonrowing.org/physicals-and-required-documents-for-rowers/

Please note: Emailed/electronic copies of the forms will not be accepted. Completed forms should be provided to the Woodson Crew Membership Chair, Catherine Backmeyer. The easiest way to do this is to send the form with your athlete to Winter Conditioning. They can provide the forms to Sarah or Madeline Backmeyer

Still have questions? Reach out to our membership team at [email protected].

3. PRACTICE BUS SURVEY
If you answered “YES” to the practice bus question on the registration form, please take a moment to fill out a 5 question survey designed to get baseline numbers so that our V.P. Activities can pursue receiving quotes to charter a practice bus for the 2025 season. Fill out the survey here: https://forms.gle/iTDTDWVwdWy2eTHd8

4. WINTER CONDITIONING STARTS MONDAY
Don’t forget, Winter Conditioning starts Monday! Meet in Cafe B at your designated time and be dressed to work out! Recommended attire: sneakers, shorts (not baggy/basketball style) or tights, t-shirt or tank top and a sweatshirt and/or windbreaker for running or to wear afterward so you do not freeze on the way home.

Please visit our website to learn about all things winter conditioning (whether you are a novice or experienced rower): https://woodsonrowing.org/winter-conditioning/. This site has recommendations for nutrition and recovery, which is especially crucial if you are new to working out this frequently. Please note that participation is highly encouraged for all athletes to develop the cardiovascular fitness and camaraderie needed to make winning boats. Winter conditioning is when you make the most important investment in your spring racing

5. JOIN SLACK
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.

6. 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/

DECEMBER:

  • Sun, 12/1: Registration Begins!
  • Mon, 12/2: Winter Conditioning Begins.
  • Sat, 12/7: 3rd Tag Day
  • Wed, 12/18: Taco Bamba restaurant fundraiser
  • 12/23-1/3/25: Winter break
  • 12/30-01/03: Tentative optional training. Stay tuned for more info.

JANUARY 2025:

FEBRUARY:

  • Wed, 2/5: Chipotle restaurant fundraiser, 4-8p
  • Sat, 2/8: Boathouse Workday. Stay tuned for details.
  • Sat, 2/8: Swim test for new recruits, 11a-12p, Audrey Moore Rec
  • Sat, 2/15: Swim test for new recruits, 11a-12p, Audrey Moore Rec
  • Fri, 2/21: last day of Winter Conditioning
  • Tue, 2/25: first day of on-the-water practice!

MARCH:

  • 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!

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

November 29, 2024 Newsletter

Happy Thanksgiving! We hope your bellies are full as we head into Winter Conditioning next week!

1. PRACTICE BUS SURVEY

2. 2024-25 REGISTRATION OPENS DECEMBER 1

3. WINTER CONDITIONING STARTS MONDAY

4. FROST ROWING PROGRAM RECAP

5. FUNDRAISING REMINDERS
A. MINI TAG DAY DEC 7. SIGN UP NOW.
B. SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN
C. CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP
D. BUY SPIRIT WEAR

6. CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE

WAIT – THERE’S MORE?

ACTION ITEMS
– Fill out bus interest survey: 2025 Practice Bus Survey

– Sign up for Mini Tag Day: Mini Tag Day Sign Up

1. PRACTICE BUS SURVEY
Only 29 people have filled out the survey so far. Please take 3 minutes to fill out this 5 question survey. This information is needed to get baseline numbers so that our V.P. Activities can pursue receiving quotes to charter a practice bus for the 2025 season. Fill out the survey here: https://forms.gle/iTDTDWVwdWy2eTHd8

2. 2024-25 REGISTRATION OPENS DECEMBER 1
Registration will open on December 1, 2024. A $50 discounted early bird pricing will be offered for those who register before December 15! Please review the registration portion of the website to learn more. Still have questions? Reach out to our membership team at [email protected].

3. WINTER CONDITIONING STARTS MONDAY
Meet in Cafe B at your designated time and be dressed to work out! Recommended attire: sneakers, shorts (not baggy/basketball style) or tights, t-shirt or tank top and a sweatshirt and/or windbreaker for running or to wear afterward so you do not freeze on the way home.

Remember, you need the the following completed BEFORE participating:
– a physical on file with the Woodson Athletic Dept
(hard copies delivered to Rm. C158, soft copies emailed to [email protected])

Woodson Athletics Registration (this is separate from Woodson Rowing Registration and 

Please visit our website to learn about all things winter conditioning (whether you are a novice or experienced rower): https://woodsonrowing.org/winter-conditioning/. This site has recommendations for nutrition and recovery, which is especially crucial if you are new to working out this frequently. Please note that participation is highly encouraged for all athletes to develop the cardiovascular fitness and camaraderie needed to make winning boats. Winter conditioning is when you make the most important investment in your spring racing

4. FROST ROWING PROGRAM RECAP
The Inaugural Frost Rowing After-School Program was a roaring success! Being able to expose 7th and 8th graders to the ergs and what rowing is about is how we build the future of our program. We hope that this is just the beginning of a wonderful relationship with our feeder middle school. Big thanks to Frost PTA President M. Nasser Akhtar for starting this process and encouraging such active participation. As always, our coaches and athletes rose above and beyond. Many thank yous to: Coach Joe for doing most of the heavy lifting and organizing, Coach Tylander and Coach Ron for lending their expertise and the athletes who showed up to orient, guide and help manage the nearly 45 middle schoolers that came to each “practice.” If you’d like to see some pictures that were taken, please visit our SmugMug at: https://woodsonrowing.smugmug.com/Inaugural-Frost-Rowing-Program

5. FUNDRAISING REMINDERS
Fundraising is a fundamental part of Woodson Rowing, since we are not financially supported by FCPS or Woodson High School. By raising sufficient funds we are able to keep dues down and adequately take care of our athletes. We have yet to reach our pre-season funding goals, so please read on for how you can help!

A. MINI TAG DAY DEC 7. SIGN UP NOW.
Please block off this morning to participate and help your team! We will only be doing a morning shift. Staging will take place at the Veigel home so that we can send athlete teams to portions of the Woodson pyramid that we were not able to visit over the previous 2 Tag Days. It is CRUCIAL that we get as many participants (both athlete and parent driver) as possible. Please sign up for the DECEMBER 7 mini Tag Day here: Mini Tag Day Sign Up.

    B. SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN
    On the same day as our mini tag day (Dec 7), we will be running a social media campaign to collect more donations. Parents and athletes alike will be invited to share our social media posts and email or text friends and family to boost donations. Meanwhile, please think of who you may be able to recruit to donate to help our team. Stay tuned for more info.

      C. CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP
      If you, or anyone you know, might be interested in becoming a sponsor of our team, the Donors page on the website is a great resource. In addition, please check with your employers to see if they have any matching programs! Some employers will match charitable donations made by their employees. Please our fundraising team at [email protected] with any questions, to arrange sponsorships or set up employer matching!

        D. BUY SPIRIT WEAR
        With the holidays approaching, your purchase of spirit wear benefits our team AND will delight gift recipients. Purchase Woodson Rowing specific gear at our Squad Locker store!

          6. 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/

          DECEMBER:

          • Sun, 12/1: Registration Begins!
          • Mon, 12/2: Winter Conditioning Begins.
          • Sat, 12/7: 3rd Tag Day
          • Wed, 12/18: Taco Bamba restaurant fundraiser
          • 12/23-1/3/25: Winter break
          • 12/30-01/03: Tentative optional training. Stay tuned for more info.

          JANUARY 2025:

          FEBRUARY:

          • Wed, 2/5: Chipotle restaurant fundraiser, 4-8p
          • Sat, 2/8: Boathouse Workday. Stay tuned for details.
          • Sat, 2/8: Swim test for new recruits, 11a-12p, Audrey Moore Rec
          • Sat, 2/15: Swim test for new recruits, 11a-12p, Audrey Moore Rec
          • Fri, 2/21: last day of Winter Conditioning
          • Tue, 2/25: first day of on-the-water practice!

          MARCH:

          • 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!

          FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

          November 21, 2024 Newsletter

          Restaurant night fundraiser at Paisano’s in Burke TONIGHT. See details below.

          1. FUNDRAISER TONIGHT!

          2. PRACTICE BUS SURVEY

          3. 2024-25 REGISTRATION OPENS DECEMBER 1

          4. WINTER CONDITIONING SCHEDULE IS SET

          5. WE NEED YOUR HELP FUNDRAISING
          A. MINI TAG DAY DEC 7. SIGN UP NOW.
          B. SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN
          C. CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP
          D. BUY SPIRIT WEAR

          6. CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE

          WAIT – THERE’S MORE?


          ACTION ITEMS:
          – Fill out bus interest survey: 2025 Practice Bus Survey
          – Sign up for Mini Tag Day: Mini Tag Day Sign Up


          1. FUNDRAISER TONIGHT!
          Don’t fret over dinner! Dine in (no dishes) or Carry Out (minimal mess) at Paisano’s in Burke tonight to benefit Woodson Rowing and your sanity.

          2. PRACTICE BUS SURVEY
          We have developed a practice bus survey to get baseline numbers so that our V.P. Activities can pursue receiving quotes to charter a practice bus for the 2025 season. PLEASE FILL OUT THIS 5 QUESTION SURVEY: https://forms.gle/iTDTDWVwdWy2eTHd8
          3. 2024-25 REGISTRATION OPENS DECEMBER 1

          Registration will open on December 1, 2024. Early bird pricing will be offered, so please plan to register before the new year. Please review the registration portion of the website to learn more. Still have questions? Reach out to our membership team at [email protected].

          4. WINTER CONDITIONING SCHEDULE IS SET
          Winter conditioning is when you make the most important investment in your spring racing. If you did not participate in Green Days, please make sure that you have the following completed BEFORE December 2:

          Please visit our website to learn about all things winter conditioning (whether you are a novice or experienced rower): https://woodsonrowing.org/winter-conditioning/.

          Participation is highly encouraged for all athletes to develop the cardiovascular fitness and camaraderie needed to make winning boats!


          5. WE NEED YOUR HELP FUNDRAISING

          Fundraising is a fundamental part of Woodson Rowing, since we are not financially supported by FCPS or Woodson High School. By raising sufficient funds we are able to keep dues down and adequately take care of our athletes. We have yet to reach our pre-season funding goals, so please read on for how you can help!

          A. MINI TAG DAY DEC 7. SIGN UP NOW.
          Please block off this morning to participate and help your team! We will only be doing a morning shift. Staging will take place at the Veigel home so that we can send athlete teams to portions of the Woodson pyramid that we were not able to visit over the previous 2 Tag Days. It is CRUCIAL that we get as many participants (both athlete and parent driver) as possible. Please sign up for the DECEMBER 7 mini Tag Day here: Mini Tag Day Sign Up.

          B. SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN
          On the same day as our mini tag day (Dec 7), we will be running a social media campaign to collect more donations. Parents and athletes alike will be invited to share our social media posts and email or text friends and family to boost donations. Meanwhile, please think of who you may be able to recruit to donate to help our team. Stay tuned for more info.

          C. CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP
          If you, or anyone you know, might be interested in becoming a sponsor of our team, the Donors page on the website is a great resource. In addition, please check with your employers to see if they have any matching programs! Some employers will match charitable donations made by their employees. Please our fundraising team at [email protected] with any questions, to arrange sponsorships or set up employer matching!

          D. BUY SPIRIT WEAR
          With the holidays approaching, your purchase of spirit wear benefits our team AND will delight gift recipients. Purchase Woodson Rowing specific gear at our Squad Locker store.

          6. 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/

          NOVEMBER:

          • Wed., 11/21: Paisano’s Burke restaurant fundraiser, 4-8p

          DECEMBER:

          • Sun, 12/1: Registration Begins!
          • Mon, 12/2: Winter Conditioning Begins.
          • Sat, 12/7: 3rd Tag Day
          • Wed, 12/18: Taco Bamba restaurant fundraiser
          • 12/23-1/3/25: Winter break
          • 12/30-01/03: Tentative optional training. Stay tuned for more info.

          JANUARY 2025:

          FEBRUARY:

          • Wed, 2/5: Chipotle restaurant fundraiser, 4-8p
          • Sat, 2/8: Swim test for new recruits, 11a-12p, Audrey Moore Rec
          • Sat, 2/15: Swim test for new recruits, 11a-12p, Audrey Moore Rec
          • Fri, 2/21: last day of Winter Conditioning
          • Tue, 2/25: first day of on-the-water practice!

          MARCH:

          • 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!

          FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

          November 14, 2024 Newsletter

          Thank you to all of the helpers, shoppers and supporters of our 31st Annual Woodson Craft Show. Extra thanks to Gail Lee for being our fearless leader. Also, congratulations to senior Ellie Fossand on her signing and commitment to row at Rutgers University next year.

          1. FUNDRAISING UPDATES
          A. MINI TAG DAY DEC 7. SIGN UP NOW.
          B. SOCIAL MEDIA FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
          C. CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP

          3. VASRA WORKDAY THIS SATURDAY

          4. WINTER CONDITIONING

          5. CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE

          WAIT – THERE’S MORE?

          1. FUNDRAISING UPDATES
          With most of our biggest fundraisers behind us, the Board is focused on finding ways to cover budget shortfalls before the season begins. While the Craft Show continues to generate expected income, our first two Tag Days fell short of goal. Read on for how you can help us reach our funding goals!

          A. MINI TAG DAY DEC 7. SIGN UP NOW.
          Please block off this morning to participate and help your team! We will only be doing a morning shift. Staging will take place at the Veigel home so that we can send athlete teams to portions of the Woodson pyramid that we were not able to visit over the previous 2 Tag Days. It is CRUCIAL that we get as many participants (both athlete and parent driver) as possible. Please sign up for the DECEMBER 7 mini Tag Day here: Mini Tag Day Sign Up.

          B. SOCIAL MEDIA FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
          On the same day as our mini tag day (Dec 7), we will be running a social media campaign to collect more donations. Parents and athletes alike will be invited to share our social media posts and email or text friends and family to boost donations. Meanwhile, please think of who you may be able to recruit to donate to help our team. Stay tuned for more info.

          C. CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP
          If you, or anyone you know, might be interested in becoming a sponsor of our team, the Donors page on the website is a great resource. In addition, please check with your employers to see if they have any matching programs! Some employers will match charitable donations made by their employees. Please our fundraising team at [email protected] with any questions, to arrange sponsorships or set up employer matching!

          3. VASRA WORKDAY THIS SATURDAY
          Big thanks to Khoi Do for signing up for this Saturday’s VASRA work day! Although all of the slots are currently full, feel free to show up and provide extra help getting Sandy Run ready for the on-the-water training and racing season. All parents and athletes are welcome. Athletes can receive volunteer hours for their work. Click the link for more info: VASRA Workday

          4. WINTER CONDITIONING
          The team will begin Winter Conditioning on Monday, December 2. Coaches are finalizing the schedule and should have it in place by next week. Winter conditioning is when you make the most important investment in your spring racing. If you did not participate in Green Days, please make sure that you have the following completed BEFORE December 2:
          – a physical on file with the Woodson Athletic Dept
          (hard copies delivered to Rm. C158, soft copies emailed to [email protected])
          – Completed the Woodson Athletics Registration

          To learn more about why you should participate in winter conditioning, visit our website: https://woodsonrowing.org/winter-conditioning/. Participation is highly encouraged for all athletes to develop the cardiovascular fitness and camaraderie needed to make winning boats!

          5. 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/

          NOVEMBER:

          DECEMBER:

          • Mon, 12/2: Winter Conditioning Begins
          • Sat, 12/7: 3rd Tag Day
          • Wed, 12/18: Taco Bamba restaurant fundraiser
          • 12/23-1/3/25: Winter break
          • 12/30-01/03: Tentative optional training. Stay tuned for more info.

          JANUARY 2025:

          FEBRUARY:

          • Wed, 2/5: Chipotle restaurant fundraiser, 4-8p
          • Sat, 2/8: Swim test for new recruits, 11a-12p, Audrey Moore Rec
          • Sat, 2/15: Swim test for new recruits, 11a-12p, Audrey Moore Rec
          • Fri, 2/21: last day of Winter Conditioning
          • Tue, 2/25: first day of on-the-water practice!

          MARCH:

          • 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!

          FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

          November 7, 2024 Newsletter

          Let’s get ready to support the 31st Annual Woodson Craft Show!

          1. CRAFT SHOW THIS WEEKEND, 11/9
          A. CRITICAL NEED FOR VOLUNTEERS!!
          B. BOREDOM RELIEF PROGRAM
          C. VENDOR PREVIEW PAGE

          2. VASRA WORKDAY

          3. SAVE THE DATE – TENTATIVE 3rd TAG DAY

          4. WINTER CONDITIONING

          5. CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE

          WAIT – THERE’S MORE?

          1. CRAFT SHOW THIS WEEKEND, 11/9
          Read below to find out all you need to know – or check out the Craft Show Special newsletter on our website at: https://woodsonrowing.org/november-5-2024-craft-show-special/

          A. CRITICAL NEED FOR VOLUNTEERS!!

            There are tons of unassigned spots that MUST be filled. There are currently 105 vendors scheduled and thousands of shoppers expected, so we need lots of help to make this very popular regional show (that is also an important fundraiser for our team) a success. Scroll through the Craft Show Sign Up Genius to fill our most critical needs:

            • Heavy Duty EXTENSION CORDS and POWER STRIPS
            • BAKED GOODS
            • SIGN HOLDERS during the show. (Only 2 hour shifts – not for the entire day)
            • VENDOR ASSISTANCE. ​​This early, long shift grants double service credits. And is, arguably, the most important work helping the vendors get set up for the day. This assistance is one of the many reasons that vendors LOVE our show. Please help us keep up the good impression!
            • TAKE DOWN ASSISTANCE. Starts at 4:00PM until done. Many hands make light work here.

            B. BOREDOM RELIEF PROGRAM
            Ms. Virginia North America, Taylor Ragano, will have a table set up to support her Boredom Relief Program. She will be collecting items (books, coloring books, games and other forms of entertainment) and raising funds and awareness for mental health patients in psychiatric hospitals and residential programs. Visit her website to learn more about how you can help. Get into the holiday spirit of giving AND maybe get your photo taken with a bonafide beauty queen!

              C. VENDOR PREVIEW PAGE
              New this year, we have a Vendor Preview Page on our website. Check out all of our amazing vendors, follow them on social media, and get ready to shop!2. VASRA WORKDAY

                VASRA is hard at work getting Sandy Run ready for the on-the-water training and racing season. There are two dates available that would earn you a VASRA volunteering credit: Sat, Nov 9 and Sat, Nov 16. We do ask that the craft fair on 11/9 be your priority, but if there are multiple volunteers in your family, you can certainly divide and conquer! All parents and athletes are welcome. Athletes can receive volunteer hours for their work. Click the link for more info and to sign up: VASRA Workday

                3. SAVE THE DATE – TENTATIVE 3rd TAG DAY
                Based on the amounts collected over the last 2 Tag Days, plans are being made to schedule a 3rd Tag Day to try and meet our fundraising goals for the season. Stay tuned for more information, but please Save the Date for Saturday, December 7. More information to follow. Questions? Reach out to Tag Day Coordinator Patrick Obruba via Slack.

                4. WINTER CONDITIONING
                The team will begin winter Conditioning on Monday, December 2. Winter conditioning is when you make the most important investment in your spring racing. If you did not participate in Green Days, please make sure that you have the following completed BEFORE December 2:

                To learn more about why you should participate in winter conditioning, visit our website: https://woodsonrowing.org/winter-conditioning/. Participation is highly encouraged for all athletes to develop the cardiovascular fitness and camaraderie needed to make winning boats!

                5. 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/

                NOVEMBER:

                DECEMBER:

                • Mon, 12/2: Winter Conditioning Begins
                • Sat, 12/7: 3rd Tag Day
                • Wed, 12/18: Taco Bamba restaurant fundraiser
                • 12/23-1/3/25: Winter break
                • 12/30-01/03: Tentative optional training. Stay tuned for more info.

                JANUARY 2025:

                FEBRUARY:

                • Wed, 2/5: Chipotle restaurant fundraiser, 4-8p
                • Sat, 2/8: Swim test for new recruits, 11a-12p, Audrey Moore Rec
                • Sat, 2/15: Swim test for new recruits, 11a-12p, Audrey Moore Rec
                • Fri, 2/21: last day of Winter Conditioning
                • Tue, 2/25: first day of on-the-water practice!

                MARCH:

                • 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!

                FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

                November 5, 2024 – CRAFT SHOW SPECIAL

                One of our biggest fundraisers, the Woodson Craft Show, is upon us. This is the 31st year of the show! We have many critical needs that still need to be met. We know that the season hasn’t even officially started and we are asking for a lot of participation – but these fundraising efforts, in particular, are what enable our team to be the successful program that we all enjoy being a part of! Please consider setting aside some of your time to help us make this long standing event a success.

                1. URGENT REQUEST FOR HELP!
                2. WHEN IS THE WOODSON CRAFT SHOW?
                3. WHO IS THE WOODSON CRAFT SHOW FOR?
                4. WHAT DO I GET OUT OF THE WOODSON CRAFT SHOW?
                5. OK. BUT WHAT EXACTLY IS THE WOODSON CRAFT SHOW?
                6. ALRIGHT. YOU CONVINCED ME. WHAT DO YOU NEED ME TO DO?

                1. URGENT REQUEST FOR HELP!
                The Craft Show Sign Up Genius is long and maybe confusing to navigate – but that’s because we have SO MANY jobs that need to be filled to make this event run smoothly. Scroll all the way down to find the perfect opportunity for you. Here are our most critical needs:

                • Heavy Duty EXTENSION CORDS and POWER STRIPS
                • BAKED GOODS
                • SIGN HOLDERS during the show. (Only 2 hour shifts – not for the entire day)
                • VENDOR ASSISTANCE. ​​This early, long shift grants double service credits. And is, arguably, the most important work helping the vendors get set up for the day. This assistance is one of the many reasons that vendors LOVE our show. Please help us keep up the good impression!
                • TAKE DOWN ASSISTANCE. Starts at 4:00PM until done. Many hands make light work here.

                2. WHEN IS THE WOODSON CRAFT SHOW?
                Set up begins the night before the show, Friday, Nov 8. On that evening we need volunteers to help set-up and organize the many donated/loaned items that will be used the next day.

                The show is on Saturday, November 9. Set-up continues at 6:30AM! Adults and athletes help our vendors get set up for when the doors open at 10:00AM. During the show, we need lots of volunteers to run things like the concession stand, greet, and hold signs at major intersections to draw in more shoppers. The show ends at 4:00PM, and then the tear down begins.

                3. WHO IS THE WOODSON CRAFT SHOW FOR?
                Everyone, really! We currently have over 100 vendors signed up. Many vendors LOVE this event more than any other craft show because of all the help that the athletes provide them in bringing their merchandise into the school to set up. The Craft Show is also for shoppers. Admission is FREE and it’s a great place to start (or finish, if you’re really on the ball) holiday shopping. There is, literally, something for everyone.

                4. WHAT DO I GET OUT OF THE WOODSON CRAFT SHOW?
                Shifts of labor are for service credit. You MUST check in with Gail and sign in upon arrival to get credit. There will be a table set up for check in just inside Door #3, near the bake sale. Shifts for both athletes and adults are included.

                You ALSO get the opportunity to benefit the team in a FUN way. These vendors are amazing artisans who are very skilled at what they do. It’s fun to engage with creative people and learn about them and their wares. Any money you spend benefits the team because it keeps these vendors coming back year after year. (All the money made by the team is linked to what the vendors pay to participate in the show).

                5. OK. BUT WHAT EXACTLY IS THE WOODSON CRAFT SHOW?
                This exceptional show features juried handmade arts and crafts from dozens of artisans around the region. Absolutely no buy-sell, resale or kits are allowed. So, all items offered for sale are handcrafted by the exhibitor. 

                It also brings thousands of shoppers to Woodson High School and benefits the Woodson Rowing Team.

                This show has THREE UNIQUE FEATURES:
                — NO ADMISSION FEE for shoppers
                — ELECTRICITY is included in the booth fee
                — STUDENT ATHLETES assist crafters with loading and unloading their supplies!

                6. ALRIGHT. YOU CONVINCED ME. WHAT DO YOU NEED ME TO DO?

                • VOLUNTEER. Sign Up here!
                • SPREAD THE WORD! Let’s flood all our channels with this event to get as many shoppers as we can!
                  • If you’re on Facebook, there’s an event you can join and then share with your friends: Woodson Craft Show Facebook Event.
                  • If you’re on IG, share our most recent post on your stories.
                  • Share the graphic below ANYWHERE – your local neighborhood Facebook group, your Next Door group, on your personal timelines.
                  • Check out (and share) our new-this-year vendor gallery for a taste of what you’ll find at the show: 2024 Craft Show Vendors
                • SHOW UP AND SHOP!

                October 31, 2024 Newsletter

                HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Tag day is THIS SATURDAY, so make sure you set aside the day to help out your team.

                1. TAG DAY THIS SATURDAY, 11/2, 8:30AM

                2. CRAFT SHOW NEXT WEEKEND, 11/9
                A. CRITICAL NEED FOR VOLUNTEERS!!
                B. BOREDOM RELIEF PROGRAM
                C. VENDOR PREVIEW PAGE

                3. LAST OPTIONAL STRENGTH TRAINING, 11/6

                4. WINTER CONDITIONING

                5. CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE

                WAIT – THERE’S MORE?


                1. TAG DAY THIS SATURDAY, 11/2, 8:30AM
                We need more adults and athletes to show up!! If you did not participate in Tag Day last weekend, please make sure you’re signed up for this weekend. Please sign up here – we need all hands on deck to make this event work!! Review THIS newsletter for all the information you need or the Tag Days webpage. Still have questions? Reach out to Tag Day Coordinator Patrick Obruba via Slack.

                2. CRAFT SHOW NEXT WEEKEND, 11/9
                A. CRITICAL NEED FOR VOLUNTEERS!!
                There are tons of unassigned spots that MUST be filled. There will be 100+ vendors and thousands of shoppers in attendance, so we need lots of help to make this very popular regional show (that is also an important fundraiser for our team) a success. We don’t only need your time – we also need your BAKING SKILLS! Volunteer for a spot but also consider signing up to bring a baked good for us to sell. Sign up here: Craft Show Volunteer Sign Up.

                  B. BOREDOM RELIEF PROGRAM
                  Ms. Virginia North America, Taylor Ragano, will have a table set up to support her Boredom Relief Program. She will be collecting items (books, coloring books, games and other forms of entertainment) and raising funds and awareness for mental health patients in psychiatric hospitals and residential programs. Visit her website to learn more about how you can help. Get into the holiday spirit of giving AND maybe get your photo taken with a bonafide beauty queen!

                    C. VENDOR PREVIEW PAGE
                    New this year, we have a Vendor Preview Page on our website. Check out all of our amazing vendors, follow them on social media, and get ready to shop!

                    3. LAST OPTIONAL STRENGTH TRAINING, 11/6
                    The last day of optional strength training will be Wednesday, November 6 at the Woodson weight room from 6:30-7:30a. There will not be optional strength training on Monday, November 4 because of the day off from school.

                      4. WINTER CONDITIONING
                      The team will begin winter Conditioning on Monday, December 2.
                      BEFORE YOU CAN PARTICIPATE, all athletes must have:
                      (1) a physical on file with the Woodson Athletic Dept.
                      (hard copies delivered to Rm. C158, soft copies emailed to the athletic trainer).
                      (2) Completed the Woodson Athletics Registration

                      To learn more about why you should participate in winter conditioning, visit our website: https://woodsonrowing.org/winter-conditioning/. Participation is highly encouraged for all athletes to develop the cardiovascular fitness and camaraderie needed to make winning boats!

                      5. 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/

                      NOVEMBER:

                      DECEMBER:

                      • Mon, 12/2: Winter Conditioning Begins
                      • 12/23-1/3/25: Winter break.
                      • 12/30-01/03: Tentative optional training. Stay tuned for more info.

                      JANUARY 2025:

                      FEBRUARY:

                      MARCH:

                      • 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!

                      FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

                      October 25, 2024 – TAG DAY SPECIAL

                      SPECIAL EDITION NEWSLETTER ON OUR UPCOMING TAG DAY!

                      Our first Tag Day is coming THIS SATURDAY, OCT 26!! Here’s all the info you need on the team’s BIGGEST and MOST LUCRATIVE fundraiser of the year. We need LOTS of PARENTS and as many ATHLETES as possible to make this a success.

                      1. WHAT EXACTLY IS A TAG DAY?
                      2. GENERAL TIMELINE OF EVENTS ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26
                      3. WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?¶
                      4. WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE ALL DAY?
                      5. WHY DO I NEED TO SIGN UP?
                      6. WHEN IS TAG DAY AGAIN?
                      7. WHY DO WE DO TAG DAYS?


                      ACTION ITEMS

                      • SIGN UP NOW! if you haven’t yet.
                      • ATHLETES: PRINT, FILL IN AND BRING this form (signed by your parents)
                      • PARENT DRIVERS: PRINT, FILL IN AND BRING this form

                      1. WHEN IS TAG DAY AGAIN?
                      Tag Days have been divided up into TWO FULL DAY (8:30 AM – 4:00 PM) events. The first day is THIS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26. The second day is NEXT Saturday, November 2.

                      2. WHAT EXACTLY IS A TAG DAY?
                      Tag Days are the most important athlete-driven fundraiser of the year. 

                      On Tag Days, athletes (transported by volunteer parents) walk door-to-door in our local neighborhoods. They are given scripts to help them confidently tell Woodson families about the sport of rowing, how we receive no FCPS funds, that we rely on dues and donations — and then ask for their support.

                      Athletes are always grouped together, so no one goes alone. Groups of 3 or 4 athletes (with at least 1 returning/seasoned athlete) will be paired with 1 parent volunteer driver. Each parent volunteer will drive to their pre-mapped route so that the athletes may canvas their designated area. Parent volunteers are responsible for safely transporting athletes, keeping eyes on them during canvassing for safety, and helping them keep track of the cash and checks they collect.

                      3. GENERAL TIMELINE OF EVENTS

                      TimeEvent
                      8:30 AMArrive. Please park at the FRONT of Woodson (Door 1).
                      Meet up in Woodson Cafeteria A.
                      8:45 – 9:00 AMPaperwork drop-off/signing, Safety Briefing, Morning Route Map Distribution, Vehicle assignments
                      9:00 – 12:00 PMPerform Morning Routes
                      12:00 – 12:30 PMReturn to Cafeteria A for a break and LUNCH
                      12:30 – 12:45 PMAfternoon Route Map Distribution if needed
                      12:30 – 3:00 PMPerform Afternoon Routes
                      3:00 – 3:30 PMReturn, tally results and update leaderboards!
                      Tag Day Timeline of Events. Times are not exact, but we will hold to this schedule as closely as possible. Any changes will be discussed in-person at the event!

                      4. WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?¶

                      ATHLETES
                      ❖  MUST BRING this form signed by your parents. We will have some blank ones on-site, but prefer you to print and fill out in advance so that we don’t have to chase down your parents for a signature before you can go.
                      ❖  A refillable water bottle. Stay hydrated and then you’ll have water at lunch.
                      ❖  A positive attitude!
                      ❖  Woodson Rowing Spirit wear, if you have it. If you have some extra you’re willing to share with a novice, please bring it. A limited amount of spiritwear will be available to borrow for the day, should you wish.

                      PARENTS
                      ❖  ALL DRIVERS must fill out this form to transport student athletes. We will have some blank ones on-site, but to speed up the process and get everyone out and about efficients, please print and fill out in advance.
                      ❖  Anything you might like to have on hand while sitting in the car for a few hours (water, coffee, etc.).
                      ❖  Patience. It can be challenging for athletes who have never canvassed before to speak to strangers. Your kind words and encouragement will go a long way.

                      5. WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE ALL DAY?
                      We still need your help! While we are hoping for everyone to participate for the full day, if you can only make the morning or afternoon shift, please note that in the comments on the sign up genius. The AM shift will run from approximately 8:30a – noon. The PM shift will run from approximately noon – 3:30p.

                      6. WHY DO I NEED TO SIGN UP?
                      It is preferred that you sign up beforehand because this allows parent volunteers to PRE-ASSIGN groups to routes, meaning everything runs a little more efficiently. But that being said, the more participants we have, the more quickly canvassing can be completed so please show up whether you remembered to sign up or not. Make it easy on all of us; click this link to SIGN UP NOW!

                      7. WHY DO WE DO TAG DAYS?
                      ❖  Tag Days are our BIGGEST fundraiser of the year. So, while it might seem a time-consuming event, it helps us keep YOUR registration costs down, pay the coaches and maintain our equipment.

                      ❖  A FULL DAY OF VOLUNTEERING (pre- and post-lunch shifts) fulfills TWO of your athlete and/or parent volunteer requirements.

                      ❖  For more information and a direct donation link, visit our website: https://woodsonrowing.org/tag-days/

                      So, what are you waiting for? SIGN UP NOW!

                      Don’t forget to follow us on Social Media!¶


                      October 24, 2025 Newsletter

                      Stay tuned for tomorrow’s TAG DAY SPECIAL EDITION newsletter with all you need to know going into our first Tag Day this Saturday. Read below for more news and more opportunities to help out the team!

                      1. KOKEE TEA FUNDRAISER THIS FRIDAY, OCT 25

                      2. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS ASAP
                      A. TAG DAY, SAT 10/26 and SAT 11/2
                      B. 31st ANNUAL CRAFT SHOW, FRI 11/8 and SAT 11/9

                      3. RENTAL ERG RETURN, THIS SAT 10/26

                      4. ONLY 3 GREEN DAYS LEFT!

                      5. ONLY 3 MORE OPTIONAL STRENGTH TRAINING DAYS LEFT

                      6. WINTER CONDITIONING

                      7. CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE

                      Celebrate the end of your week with a Hug in a Cup! This Friday, Oct 25 from 3-7p. Please mention Woodson Rowing to have a portion of your sale donated back to the team!

                      2. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS ASAP
                      We are in dire need of your commitment to help with our TWO main fundraising events coming up: Tag Days and the Craft Show. The next 3 weekends are critical to the Spring season. Properly staffed, we make a predominant amount of the money we need for a successful season. We cannot do that without LOTS of help. All of our volunteering opportunities are always just a click away on our volunteering page. Visit and bookmark the site to stay up-to-date on how you can help the team! 

                      A. TAG DAY, SAT 10/26 and SAT 11/2
                      Tag Days are the Woodson Rowing team’s most important fundraiser of the year. Funds collected during Tag Days off-set many of your costs during the season! Novice athletes are strongly encouraged to attend Tag Days because: (1) it helps to knock out volunteer requirements, (2) they get to spend the day bonding with varsity athletes and (3) it teaches them how to “talk about” rowing (since it is a new sport to most). Please sign up here – we need all hands on deck to make this event work!! Our Tag Days webpage can answer lots of your questions but we will also send out a special edition Tag Day newsletter TOMORROW with all the specific details you may need. Still have questions? Reach out to Tag Day Coordinator Patrick Obruba via Slack. 

                        B. 31st ANNUAL CRAFT SHOW, FRI 11/8 and SAT 11/9
                        Set up for the event will begin Friday, November 8 from 6-8p. Volunteers are also needed during  the event itself from 6:30a-4:30p on Saturday, Nov 9. Sign up to help to make this very popular regional show (that is also an important fundraiser for our team) a success. We will likely have 100+ vendors and, literally, thousands of shoppers on the day of the event. There are all types of volunteer spots available: help set up, provide baked goods, and get to know vendors on the day of the event. Sign up to help here: Craft Show Volunteer Sign Up.

                          We only have spots for a few more vendors! If your favorite vendor hasn’t signed up yet, encourage them to do so ASAP! 2024 Craft Show Vendor Registration.

                          3. RENTAL ERG RETURN, THIS SAT 10/26
                          Return your rented erg to the Woodson Rowing Erg Shed (back of school near senior parking) any time during a 8a-12p window. If you can, plan to stay for the Erg Shed Workday going on at the same time!

                          4. ONLY 3 GREEN DAYS LEFT!
                          There are only 3 Green Days left, including today! (Thu – 10/24, Mon – 10/28, and  Tue- 10/29). This is the last opportunity this season to get some experience in the boats (or refresh your skills) until we officially go on-the-water in late February. Make sure you sign up for any and all days now! Green Days Sign Up Genius.

                          5. ONLY 3 MORE OPTIONAL STRENGTH TRAINING DAYS LEFT
                          The last day of optional strength training will be Wednesday, November 6. The remaining strength training sessions will occur at the Woodson weight room from 6:30-7:30a on 10/28, 10/30 and 11/6. There will not be optional strength training on Monday, November 4 because of the day off from school. Coaches are in attendance to help you get stronger. Set your foundation for Winter Conditioning now! 

                          6. WINTER CONDITIONING
                          The team will begin winter Conditioning on Monday, December 2. BEFORE YOU CAN PARTICIPATE, all athletes must have:

                          To learn more about why you should participate in winter conditioning, visit our website: https://woodsonrowing.org/winter-conditioning/. Participation is highly encouraged for all athletes to develop the cardiovascular fitness and camaraderie needed to make winning boats!

                          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/

                          OCTOBER:

                          • Thu, 10/24: Green Days at Sandy Run, 4:45p
                          • 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
                          • Sat, 10/26:  VASRA Dock Work day
                          • Mon, 10/28: Optional Strength Training at Woodson, 6:30a
                                    Green Days at Sandy Run, 4:45p
                          • Tue, 10/29: Wendy’s restaurant fundraiser, all day long!
                                  Last Green Day, 4:45p
                          • Wed, 10/30: Optional Strength Training at Woodson, 6:30a

                          NOVEMBER:

                          DECEMBER:

                          • Mon, 12/2: Winter Conditioning Begins
                          • 12/23-1/3/25: Winter break.
                          • 12/30-01/03: Tentative optional training. Stay tuned for more info.

                          JANUARY 2025:

                          FEBRUARY:

                          MARCH:

                          • 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!

                          FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

                          October 17, 2024 Newsletter

                          Big thank you to the folks that have signed up to work the concession stand at the Woodson Homecoming football game this Friday! We appreciate you representing our team and hope you have a great time at the game.

                          1. VOLUNTEERING UPDATES
                          A. CRITICAL NEED: TAG DAY, SAT 10/26.
                          B. VASRA DOCK REBUILD, SAT 10/19 or SAT 10/26
                          C. 31st ANNUAL CRAFT SHOW VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

                          2. RENTAL ERG RETURN, SAT 10/26

                          3. ONLY 6 GREEN DAYS LEFT!

                          4. ARE YOU ON SLACK?

                          5. WHAT YOU NEED TO PARTICIPATE IN WOODSON ROWING

                          6. CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE

                          WAIT – THERE’S MORE?

                          ACTION ITEMS
                          Please sign up here for our first Tag Day.

                          1. VOLUNTEERING UPDATES
                            All of our volunteering opportunities are always just a click away on our volunteering page. Visit and bookmark the site to stay up-to-date on how you can help the team! 

                          A. CRITICAL NEED: TAG DAY, SAT 10/26.
                          Tag Days are the Woodson Rowing team’s most important fundraiser of the year. Properly staffed, Tag Days off-set many of your costs during the season! Novice athletes are strongly encouraged to attend Tag Days because: (1) it helps to knock out volunteer requirements, (2) they get to spend the day bonding with varsity athletes and (3) it teaches them how to “talk about” rowing (since it is a new sport to most). Please sign up here – we need all hands on deck to make this event work!! Our Tag Days webpage can answer lots of your questions, but also feel free to reach out to our Tag Day Coordinator, Patrick Obruba, via Slack.

                            B. VASRA DOCK REBUILD, SAT 10/19 or SAT 10/26
                            VASRA has asked for help in rebuilding docks at Sandy Run! No experience necessary, but know that this is a labor intensive job. Wearing CLOSED-TOE, sturdy shoes is a MUST. Make sure you note your affiliation with Woodson when you sign up: VASRA Dock Work Days.

                              (Note: Tag Days should be the priority on Oct 26, but if you have multiple family members that want to help crank out most of your volunteer credits in one weekend – divide and conquer!)

                              C. 31st ANNUAL CRAFT SHOW VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
                              Set up for the event will begin Friday, November 8 from 6-8p. Volunteers are also needed during  the event itself from 6:30a-4:30p on Saturday, Nov 9. Sign up to help to make this very popular regional show (that is also an important fundraiser for our team) a success. We will likely have 100+ vendors and, literally, thousands of shoppers on the day of the event. There are all types of volunteer spots available: help set up, provide baked goods, and get to know vendors on the day of the event. Sign up to help here: Craft Show Volunteer Sign Up.

                                We only have spots for about 9 more vendors! If your favorite vendor hasn’t signed up yet, encourage them to do so ASAP! 2024 Craft Show Vendor Registration.

                                2. RENTAL ERG RETURN, SAT 10/26
                                Return your rented erg to the Woodson Rowing Erg Shed (back of school near senior parking) any time during a 8a-12p window. If you can, plan to stay for the Erg Shed Workday going on at the same time!


                                3. ONLY 6 GREEN DAYS LEFT!
                                Including today’s Green Day, there are only 6 more opportunities to get some experience in the boats (or refresh your skills) until we officially go on-the-water in late February. Make sure you sign up for any and all days now! Green Days Sign Up Genius.

                                4. ARE YOU ON SLACK?
                                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.


                                5. WHAT YOU NEED TO PARTICIPATE IN WOODSON ROWING
                                Before the season even kicks off, we have Green Days, optional strength training and winter conditioning. If you are interested in trying out Woodson Rowing, here’s what you need:

                                A. Have a physical on file with the Woodson Athletic Dept

                                B. Complete Woodson Athletics Registration (this is separate from the rowing team registration that will come closer to the season start)

                                C. Pass a swim test with Woodson Rowing. If you are a new athlete and have not done a swim test, 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/winter before on-the-water practices begin in late February.

                                  Still feeling unsure? Check out the 2024 Parent Info Session Slides to see what the season is all about. Please also check out the Novice Tips page crafted by parent, Cindy Tomlinson to learn more about what the first year looks like.

                                  6. 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/

                                  OCTOBER:

                                  • Thu, 10/17: Green Days at Sandy Run, 4:45p
                                  • Fri, 10/18: Football concessions
                                  • Sat, 10/19: VASRA Dock Work day
                                  • Mon, 10/21: Optional Strength Training at Woodson, 6:30a
                                            Green Days at Sandy Run, 4:45p
                                  • Tue, 10/22: Green Days at Sandy Run, 4:45p
                                  • Wed, 10/23: Optional Strength Training at Woodson, 6:30a
                                  • Thu, 10/24: Green Days at Sandy Run, 4:45p
                                  • 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
                                  • Sat, 10/26:  VASRA Dock Work day
                                  • Mon, 10/28: Optional Strength Training at Woodson, 6:30a
                                            Green Days at Sandy Run, 4:45p
                                  • Tue, 10/29: Wendy’s restaurant fundraiser, all day long!
                                          Last Green Day, 4:45p
                                  • Wed, 10/30: Optional Strength Training at Woodson, 6:30a

                                  NOVEMBER:

                                  • Sat, 11/2: 2nd Tag Day, 8:45a – 4p
                                  • Wed, 11/6: Optional Strength Training at Woodson, 6:30a
                                  • Fri, 11/8: Set up for the craft show, Sign up to help
                                  • Sat, 11/9: 31st Annual Craft Show, 10a-4p, Sign up to help
                                  • Wed, 11/13: Optional Strength Training at Woodson, 6:30a
                                  • Mon, 11/18: Optional Strength Training at Woodson, 6:30a
                                  • Wed, 11/20: Optional Strength Training at Woodson, 6:30a
                                  • Mon, 11/25: Optional Strength Training at Woodson, 6:30a

                                  DECEMBER:

                                  • Mon, 12/2: Winter Conditioning Begins
                                  • 12/23-1/3/25: Winter break. Tentative optional training during the week of 12/30-⅓.

                                  JANUARY 2025:

                                  FEBRUARY:

                                  MARCH:

                                  • 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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