With summer upon us, I scanned my mental scrapbook for experiences my kids had with seasonal activities. Like other families, when they were 9 and 11, they lobbied to join our community swim team.

Swimming for the Chesterfield Crocs was a good decision for our family. Swim team was a completely new world. We tried to get our sea — actually, pool — legs as quickly as possible. The kids figured out what was required of them a few weeks before I did. Once I understood swim team, I loved it, too.

Young coaches identify with the kids and their idea of "fun." They communicate what it would take for swimmers in each age group to be successful. Swimmers learn not only the correct strokes, but how to compete. Like other group activities, learning how to compete is paramount to surviving and succeeding on swim team before and during competition.

Parent needs coaching

Our first swim meet was huge and chaotic. Kenny was out of town, leaving me to decipher the system. Luckily, "swim family" friends patiently answered all my questions and added the frills of what I couldn't have guessed. Thanks to Joanie, I understood how heats would compete. Julie taught me to write the kids' events on their arms with a Sharpie pen.

Both kids swam well in that first meet. At our second, much smaller meet, the coach and I realized that Joe and Jessie were really good swimmers.

The coaches put Joe in the same heats as the first meet — freestyle, back, breast and a relay. Joe swam his freestyle heat so fast, he took my breath away. I was stunned as I watched. Of course he could swim well! He had been in lessons since he was a year old. However, I had no idea how well and how fast he could swim.

As Jessie swam freestyle and breaststroke, I was amazed again. Not just incredible to watch, she was fast. Jessie took to swim team like a fish to water. She looked around, figured out what she must do, and then, like many other endeavors, she did it. She demonstrated no fear. With a natural love of competition, she earned a few blue ribbons along the way.

At some point during the meet, the coach and I bumped into each. "Your kids are amazing! They have natural talent and that isn't something you can teach," he said. I was speechless. Like many moms who watch their kids play sports for years, time and again I am amazed to see how their bodies grow to demonstrate their athletic ability. I knew swimming would be a great sport for them, but I had no idea they would take to swim team so easily, happily and as successfully.

Two sides of pool

Don't get me wrong. There are downsides to the sport. Early morning practices are killers, late night meets leave you wondering how you possibly could have watched swimming for four hours and the relentless sunshine bakes parents while swimmers simply warm up.

For our family, it all made sense. I got the message. Here was a sport where both my kids could shine. It was a healthy sport, a lifelong skill that would endure.

Summer swim team, courtesy of the Crocs, is very laid back. They don't even announce winners. Ribbons are left in family folders.

Our first summer of swim team was an amazing, rewarding experience for the entire family. My kids continue to swim on the team and still love every minute of it. There's nothing better for a kid during the summertime!

Trying something new is worth the experience. Many community pools sponsor swim teams. Becky Dooley, Chesterfield recreation supervisor, can provide information about the Crocs at (636) 812-9500.

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Pam Wilson lives in suburbia, and while she has no idea how she wound up there, is enjoying the journey. She has a 14-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter. Pam has a bachelor's degree in family and child development and master's in social work. She is an outdoor girl and avid reader, enjoys biking and baking, loves to hang out with friends and has determined that chocolate indeed can solve most of life's problems.