National ALTS Instructor Retreat

U.S. Masters Swimming is hosting the first National ALTS Retreat at Bard College at Simon's Rock in Great Barrington, Massachussetts, June 5-7.  Instructors will learn best practices, network with peers, be motivated to expand their programming, and both gain and refresh skills.

Registration fee of $275 includes: all programming; room and board at the college; and shuttle service from Hartford/Springfield or Albany airport (one trip scheduled for each airport on June 5 and June 7). Lodging will be double occupancy in the dormitories. Roommate requests are accepted, or you will be assigned a roommate. 

This event is TENTATIVE pending minimum enrollment of 100 instructors. You will be notified as to event status on or before April 13. Do not book non-refundable travel before event confirmation.

Your credit card will not be charged until event is confirmed. . 

AGENDA (subject to change)

Friday, June 5
Adult learn-to-swim instructor certification course: 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Separate registration required for new instructors. Previously certified instructors may audit course upon request.)
Check in and move in: 3-5 p.m.
Dinner and welcoming remarks/overview of weekend: 5-7 p.m.
Social in the Kilpatrick Athletic Center: 7-9 p.m.

Saturday, June 6
Swim at KAC or Lake Mansfield: 6-7 a.m.
Breakfast: 7:30-8:30 a.m.
Classes (see descriptions below): 9 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Lunch: 12:30-1:15 p.m.
Classes: 1:30-4:30 p.m.
Dinner: 5:30-7 p.m.
Bonfire and social: 7:15 p.m.

Sunday, June 7
Swim at KAC or Lake Mansfield: 6-7 a.m.
Breakfast: 7:30-8:30 a.m.
Classes: 8:45-11:45 a.m.
Parting session: 12-12:30 p.m.

Meals will be provided in the college's dining hall, and an effort will be made to accommodate special diets. You will have a chance to indicate dietary needs once the event is confirmed (on or before April 13).

Event location
Bard College at Simon's Rock
84 Alford Road
Great Barrington, MA 01230

SESSIONS (subject to change and additions)

How to Sell ALTS to an Aquatics Director
What's in it for them? How to market the lessons, how to decrease liability for the facility, and how to get pool space
Session Leader: Lisa Brown

How to Build Your ALTS Business from Scratch
A step-by-step study from ALTS certification to for-profit business
Session Leader: Jeff Waddle

How to Hold Onto Your Graduates
From ALTS to Masters, an in-depth look at "Bridge" programming
Session Leader: Bill Meier

Fun and Games in Adult Swim Lessons
Get creative and let loose in your lessons. Get ideas and play along during this in-water session.
Session Leader: Mike Hamm

Find Your "Why"
Inspiration from a program that makes a difference in its community
Session Leader: William Kolb

Take a Deep Breath
Learn about breathing and meditation as a way to relax clients and improve outcomes  
Session Leader: Wendy Neely

Finding Balance
Tips for prioritizing work/life balance and for passing that wisdom on to your swimmers 
Session Leader: Megan Lassen

Reaching special populations and building your brand
Do you want to work with specific types of new swimmers? Maybe triathletes, the military, or another designated group? Learn how to outreach effectively while building a recognizable brand.
Session Leader: Morgon Latimore

Adaptive ALTS
USMS has worked with Disabled Sports USA to develop an adaptive ALTS certification course to meet the needs of instructors who work with disabled veterans. Learn skills/adaptations that you can use right away with many of your students. This will be a three-hour offering on Sunday.
Session Leaders: Bill Brenner and Dominic Latella

ALTS Plus Swim Clinic

This session is an opportunity for ALTS Instructors to improve their knowledge of swim skills, strokes and water safety techniques. The session will be modeled after the USMS Stroke Clinic and adapted to meet the needs of ALTS Instructors. 

Session Leader: Gloria Waggoner

ALTS Brush-Up
Take a refresher course on the ALTS skills and learn what works best from your fellow instructors.
Session Leader: Holly Neumann

Social Media Panel
Learn how to use social media to reach more people, promote your program and celebrate your students.
Session Leaders: William Kolb, Jeff Waddle, Morgon Latimore

Fees
$275 per instructor registration. You must be a USMS-certified adult learn-to-swim instructor to attend. You may take the ALTS instructor course on Friday prior to the start of the retreat. This is a separate registration and fee.

This event is TENTATIVE pending minimum enrollment of 100 instructors. You will be notified as to event status on or before April 13. Do not book non-refundable travel before this date.

Your online registration for this event will be paid by credit card and processed by Club Assistant. Please look for "ClubAssistant.com Events" on your credit card statement.

Your credit card will not be charged until event is confirmed. 

Minimum enrollment
Minimum enrollment is 100 instructors registered by April 13.

Who should attend?
Certified adult learn-to-swim instructors who wish to learn from both USMS staff and fellow instructors about how to improve their lessons program, be inspired by innovative and best practices, and expand their teaching skill base. 

Online Registration
Online registration only. Registration closes at midnight Pacific time on Sunday, May 31. 

Lodging
Mutual roommate requests will be honored. You will have a chance to request a roommate once the event is confirmed (on or before April 13).

Questions
Contact Holly Neumann

Cancellation policy
Registration fees are nonrefundable and nontransferrable after event confirmation. You will be notified as to event status no later than April 13.