- Common Questions - 

Q: What is the "extra" USATF thing?

A:  RSU5 Community Programs sponsors, insures, and handles registration for the summer practices. The track meets, (while still covered by RSU5) are managed and also insured by USATF (the same USA Olympic governing body). Therefore, each kiddo who wants to compete in the meets (which is the more fun part of the program) will need to have a USATF national membership. During signup online, it will ask for club affiliation and you can pick the Freeport Family Track and Field Club. It is about $35 per individual membership paid to National USATF and is good for the whole calendar year. 

Register a USATF Membership Here: https://www.usatf.org/home/top-utility-nav-content/membership

Does everyone do the USATF thing?

A: The meets are optional and the athletes can attend any they are able to. The oldest competitors in the program have not yet completed freshman year. We've had some 4-year-olds compete on our team and I once saw a 3-year-old from another team; they need to be independent while a crowd of people potentially stare, point, giggle, and mostly cheer/clap for them. Those youngest ones come from track families that have lots of experience at these meets. On the subject of our youngest athletes, at practices, if your youngster can't generally follow instructions or remain with a group, you should join them one-on-one at practice. It should be noted that registered USATF coaches are allowed to accompany kids at the meet, parents who are not USATF registered coaches need to stay in the spectator areas, unless you are helping to rake sand pits, etc. See the section below on Competition Questions.

Register a USATF Membership Here: https://www.usatf.org/home/top-utility-nav-content/membership

Q: Is this Junior Olympics ("J.O's")?

A: While we don't include J.O.'s as a regular part of the club's summer series, we do encourage interested tracksters to check it out through USATF Maine. Since both programs are through USATF and involve youth, there is some cross-over (for example, the J.O. meet information is linked on USATF Maine's Summer Youth Program website. Some summer track kids also compete at J.O's with high school kids. Usually, the Maine State J.O. qualifier meet is before or at the very start of our summer youth program.

So: the "Maine Youth Summer Developmental Series" (14U, just Maine)  is different from "Junior Olympics" (18U meet series: states --> regional --> national). 

Q:  When and Where are practices?

A:  Mondays and Tuesdays 5:00-6:30ish at 30 Holbrook St, Freeport, ME - Joan Benoit-Samuelson Track and Field.

Q:  What if we miss a lot of practices or meets?

A: No Problem. Just come to the activities you can. Everyone has summer things going on, so we will all miss at least a few dates. The only difficult date is the "Qualifier Meet". See the relevant FAQ section below. 

Q:  What does practice look like? 

A:  Bring a water bottle and wear clothes you can run around in matching the weather of the evening. 

•  Come early for check-in and be ready for Warm-ups at 5pm. 

• We usually split into age or ability groups and do some workouts, event training, and games.

• Parents can join the workout fun too. Extra supervision is helpful and positive encouragement is always needed. At least do a few laps while you're there  🤗

• You may want to keep sunscreen and bug spray handy.

Q: What about the weather?

A: We will still have practice in the rain, it is usually fun. However, if there is thunder or lightning, we will shelter for 30 mins or send everyone home. If the rain is/gets unbearable and cold, we'll end early. The weather rules at meets are similar, requiring 30 mins of shelter starting from the last heard or seen thunder or lightning. The meet continues after 30 mins of no thunder or lightning. (one year we were indoors for nearly 2 hours)

Q: Can we arrive early or stay later to practice my event more?

A: YES! Subject to other scheduled sports, etc, the facility is meant for public use,  just make sure a parent is available or you've made arrangements after practice as the coaches may need to head out on time.

Q:  What age group is my athlete in?

A:  Use your athlete's age as of the end of this calendar year.  Mathematically, start with the current year and subtract your birth year:  

There are five official age groups:

• 8U = You are and will be 8 years old or younger as of this coming December 31st.

• 9 - 10 = You are or will be 9 or 10 as of December 31 this year (even if you are 8 years old today).

• 11 - 12 = You are or will be 11 or 12 as of December 31 this year (even if you are 10 years old today).

• "13+" is really two separate age groups:

  • • 13 - 14 = You are or will be 13 or 14 as of December 31 this year (even if you are 12 years old today).

    • 15 years old and have not completed your Freshmen year (even if you are 14 years old today. These folks are generally combined with 13-14 as they are grade-level peers. The group may be called 13+, 13-up or just 13-14. The 15-year-old distinction is really only for competitive scoring at the meets.

If your youngster can't generally follow instructions or remain with a group, you should be with them one-on-one.

Q: Can I volunteer?

A: YES, PLEASE, absolutely! Contact coaches Jared, Deedra, or Matt. We really need a lot of hands to help things go smoothly.  -  Certainly at practice, and especially at the meets:

• Practice: Feel free to hang out by an event you are familiar with and offer some tips. Most of our kiddos are very new in the events and any tips help. If you have significant training or experience in a particular event, please let Coach Jared know. If you simply want to help setup for practice, meet by the shed on the north side of the track a little early. If your youngster can't follow instructions or remain with a group, you probably should be with them one-on-one.

• Away Meets: We'll need lots of cheering, reminders, ears, and "kid rustlers" to get the kids to their events. We also need at least two volunteer "workers" that our club provides to the meets for raking sand pits, re-setting the high jump bar, etc.  

• Home Meet(s): In addition to the "rustlers", we need folks for our Concession stand for fundraising! Also, event workers, equipment setup and facility cleanup before and after. Etc. Also, if you can sponsor equipment or uniforms please let us know. USATF is a 501c3 organization. Or just Venmo: @Deedra-Boudreau or CashApp: $FamilyTrack

Q: Do we get uniforms for the meets?

A: Yes, a simple uniform top will be provided at the meets.

Q: Should the athlete wear track spikes/shoes?

A: No requirement on footwear 👍. However, we recommend good running sneakers for practice AND competition.

If your athlete is experienced in track, they may want to BRING specialized track shoes to the MEETS. (Save those nice shoes for just when you need the tiny extra edge it gives you. I would still caution against screwing in metal spikes unless the athlete is serious and good at only wearing the shoes during their event, not when they are walking around or waiting for their event by the tent, etc. Our club policy prohibits pole vaulters from using metal spikes as those poles are expensive and prone to damage from metal spikes.

A good track and field running shoe with lots of hard plastic points on the bottom is a sufficient upgrade to a sneaker, and helps prove the athletes' ability to handle metal spikes as they mature in the sport.

 - Questions  About Competition - 

Q:  Transportation to and from the meets?

We rely on parents and carpooling to all the meets. 

It's an informal process; we should all get to know some families and work together.

Our Rec office may be able to help if we have enough need.

Q:  How many  events can my athlete compete in?

 A: THREE events per each meet (the 13+ age group can do FOUR). Yes, relays DO count toward maximum events.

There is flexibility for the athletes to complete their field events if they need to be in two places at once. However, the races will not wait for you. 

Q: Do the athletes get ribbons or medals for the meets?

A: People who place top 6 in their gendered age group get ribbons. Similarly, at states, the top six get medals. 

Q:  What do I bring to Meets, and how long do they last?

A:  Plan for 4-5 hours.  Sometimes it is shorter. The qualifier and championship meets can be longer. 

At all meets we'll have a casually setup "team area" with some shade tents nestled close together. It is generally shared space with any of our track families that bring a shade tent and etc, so it makes for a fun time with everyone.

BRING:

• Water and extra water, maybe a backup extra as well.

• sunscreen

• running shoes/clothes/uniform

• An "order of events sheet" and know which events you are doing

• sports drinks

• snacks/fuel/food

• money for food/concessions (if open)

• bug spray

• Downtime activity (sometimes athletes will be waiting an hour or more between events, we encourage everyone to cheer others on, but sometimes a quiet activity is great).

• Listening ears - to hear your events called on the loudspeakers

• Positive energy to share with teammates

• Chair or stadium seat for parents.

• Additional considerations: long sleeve if its cold, cooling items if its hot, umbrella if you want one in the rain or for shade.

Q: How long does it take for meet results to come out?

A: Sometimes less than a day, sometimes several days.