Posted on by VP Communications

October 3, 2024 Newsletter

CONGRATULATIONS to the athletes that passed the second swim test. Keep reading for more pre-season information and volunteer opportunities!

1. CLARITY ON GREEN DAYS

2. JOIN SLACK

3. WHAT YOU NEED TO PARTICIPATE IN WOODSON ROWING

4. WE NEED YOUR HELP!
A. 2 MORE FOOTBALL CONCESSIONS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED, FRI 10/18
B. 3 SPOTS AVAILABLE FOR ERG SHED WORKDAY, SAT 10/26
C. SIGN UP NOW FOR TAG DAYS, SAT 10/26 and SAT 11/2
D. HELP MAKE THE 31st ANNUAL CRAFT SHOW A SUCCESS!

5. CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE

WAIT – THERE’S MORE?

ACTION ITEMS
1. Join our Slack Community
2. Review Volunteer Opportunities and Sign Up!

1. CLARITY ON GREEN DAYS
When in doubt about whether a Green Day is happening or not, you should first check the Sign Up Genius to see if the date is listed. If the date is listed but you’re concerned about cancellation, check the #general channel in Slack for any last minute changes.

NOVICES: you should come to ALL the green days you can for the rest of the month!  You are not limited to attending on Mondays. The coaches prefer that a novice come to their FIRST green day on a Monday so that they can give them ample orientation time. After that, please attend any or all days you can to get more experience in a boat.

There WILL be Green Day on Monday, 10/14 since that is a teacher workday and not a holiday.

2. 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.


3. 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 (or a friend! Keep up the recruiting!!) 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.

    4. WE NEED YOUR HELP!
    Listed below are all the current volunteering needs we have, but 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. 2 MORE FOOTBALL CONCESSIONS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED, FRI 10/18
    Big thank you to all the folks that have already signed up to work the concession stand at the Woodson Homecoming football game! We still have 2 spots in the 2nd shift (8:00-9:45 PM) available. This is a fun opportunity to get some volunteer credits early, meet some other parents on the team AND get to watch the game. Sign up here: Football Concessions Sign Up.

    B. 3 SPOTS AVAILABLE FOR ERG SHED WORKDAY, SAT 10/26
    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

    C. SIGN UP NOW FOR TAG DAYS, SAT 10/26 and SAT 11/2
    We are still in need of LOTS of athletes and parent drivers for both Tag Days. This is a great opportunity for novice athletes to spend the day with varsity athletes! Tag Days are the Woodson Rowing team’s most important fundraiser of the year. 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.

    D. HELP MAKE THE 31st ANNUAL CRAFT SHOW A SUCCESS!
    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. In past years, we have had 100+ vendors and 2000+ shoppers!! We need lots of help to make this very popular regional show (that is also an important fundraiser for our team) a success. You can 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 are always looking for new and returning VENDORS for the Craft Show! Vendors can register here: 2024 Craft Show Vendor Registration.

      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/

      OCTOBER:

      • Mon, 10/7: Strength Training at Woodson, 6:30a
              Green Days at Sandy Run, 4:45p
      • Tue, 10/8: Green Days at Sandy Run, 4:45p
      • Wed, 10/9: Strength Training at Woodson, 6:30a
      • Thu, 10/10: Green Days at Sandy Run, 4:45p
      • Mon, 10/14: Strength Training at Woodson, 6:30a
                Green Days at Sandy Run, 4:45p
      • Tue, 10/15: Green Days at Sandy Run, 4:45p
      • Wed, 10/16: Strength Training at Woodson, 6:30a
      • Thu, 10/17: Green Days at Sandy Run, 4:45p
      • Fri, 10/18: Football concessions
      • Mon, 10/21: 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: 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
      • Mon, 10/28: 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: Strength Training at Woodson, 6:30a

      NOVEMBER:

      DECEMBER:

      JANUARY 2025:

      FEBRUARY:

      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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