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About the Rays

The Rockville Rays is the summer swim team of the Rockville Swim and Fitness Center. The team is operated through a partnership of the Recreation and Parks Department, and the Rockville Rays Parents group. This summer, the Rockville Rays will be competing in Division A of the Montgomery County Swim League (MCSL) along with Tallyho, Country Glen, River Falls, Stonegate and Stonebridge.

Our program consists of a series of dual meets divided into two levels of competition. The advanced ‘A’ meets are limited in the number of competitors per team (meet entries completed by coaches), while the ‘B’ meets are open to any swimmer not competing in the ‘A’ meets. We have a full season of Saturday ‘A’ meets and Wednesday night ‘B’ meets, so all of our swimmers will have an opportunity to compete in at least one meet each week. Swimmers must be able to swim at least one length of the pool (without stopping) to join the team, as evaluated by the coaches.

In addition, swimmers or relay teams with qualifying times or placements may be invited to swim in special meets such as the MCSL All-Star Relays and Individual All-Stars Meets and the Coaches’ Invitational Long Course Meet. Please refer to the calendar for the dates and times of swim team activities, including Time Trials, A & B meets, the A & B relay carnivals, and the A Divisional Championship.

Practice Schedule

For up-to-date information on practice schedules, click here.

Registration & Fees

Registration is in two steps. First, complete the online team registration on this site, then register in person at the Rockville Swim and Fitness Center. After a successful registration, you will receive a “confirmation email.” Please take this email (print-out or phone) to the Rockville Swim and Fitness Center to finalize registration. This includes completing the City of Rockville Registration Form and submitting payments to the City of Rockville AND Rockville Rays Parents (more details below). Most of our team communication including swim meets sign-ups, and parent volunteer sign-ups are on-line. To allow for team planning, do not delay in registration. In order to attend time trials, registration must be completed and payments submitted by June 5th. Any registration after June 5th will still be accepted until June 7th; however, those individuals will only be able to attend time trials make-up.

  • $80 (check ONLY) payable to Rockville Rays Parents.
  • $150 for Swim and Fitness Center Members* or $300 for non-members for the program (payable by cash, Visa, Master Card or check payable to City of Rockville).

* To take advantage of the special pricing for Rockville Swim and Fitness Center Members, the Rays swimmer must be registered for an active aquatics or full facility membership spanning the entire session of the swim season (25 punch passes are not included).

See https://rockvillemd.gov/400/Day-Pass-Membership-Rates for details on membership plans.

The City of Rockville believes that everyone, regardless of income, should be able to participate in its recreation opportunities. To facilitate participation, the department offers financial assistance through programs such as the Recreation Fund and Senior Assistance Fund. Limited financial assistance is available for Rockville residents, based on income. Please call 240-314-8620 to make an appointment. Additional Information available at: https://www.rockvillemd.gov/384/Recreation-Financial-Assistance

The Swim and Fitness Center also has a Reduced-Price Membership Program (application available at the Front Desk) which may help individuals qualify for a discounted facility membership that entities them to the member price on the Rays Program.

Transfers to and from the Rays for swimmers who competed on a different MCSL team in the prior season: Transfers to and from the Rays for swimmers who competed on a different MCSL team in the prior (2023) season: MCSL has implemented rules and procedures governing movement of swimmers among teams within the league. If a swimmer participated on a different MCSL team in the previous year, or if for some reason a prior Rays swimmer will be joining a different MCSL team for 2024, be sure to check the league’s website at https://www.mcsl.org/ for instructions on how to seek approval for a transfer. If MCSL approval is required (see website for details), transfer requests should be submitted by 6/1/2024.

Parent Volunteer Information

Every family on the team is a member of the Rockville Rays Parents group, which exists to support the swim program. This year, volunteering will be required for your child to swim. If parents do not sign-up for at least three volunteer opportunities after registration, their swimmer will lose the eligibility to be entered in any swim meets. This includes officiating, timing, clerk of course, and other jobs listed on our sign-up website. The Rockville Rays Parents group also staffs a concession stand during several big swim meets this summer at the Rockville Swim and Fitness Center (Maryland State LC Champs, MCSL Coaches’ Long Course, and All Stars), so we need Rays parents to volunteer to sell concessions. The revenue generated from these activities helps support the Rays (purchase equipment, support team activities, etc.)

Becoming an Official

MCSL offers free classes (see below and on the https://mcsl.org/officials/) for new and recertifying officials. Please seriously consider becoming a Stroke & Turn Official, Referee, or Starter. Parents who are certified as an MCSL Referee or Starter and serve at least three times in B meets will get the Rockville Rays Parents Club fee of $80 refunded by July 28th.

Student SSL Hours

Students who volunteer for Rays activities can receive Student Service Learning (SSL) credit. Download and complete MCPS Form 560-51 and submit it to our Team Rep.

Team Suits

The Rays team swimsuit this year will be a Dolfin brand in nylon (black) with the team logo. Costs are as follows: Jammer is $40, Brief is $26 (no logo), Girls suit is $49. All are before tax. Team suits are available for purchase from Cassel's Awards & Engraving with a link at registration. Wearing the team suit is strongly encouraged.

We look forward to a great summer and to seeing swimmers on May 28th for the first swim practice and on Friday, June 7th for our party and parent orientation meeting!

If there are any questions, please feel free to contact Rays Parents’ Representatives Charles Schwieters at [email protected] OR Kate Stowell at [email protected]. For City of Rockville, Department of Recreation and Parks related questions, please contact Dave Greene at 240-314-8755 or [email protected].

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