GENERAL INFORMATION

This program is a Service to Aquatics by the United States Water Fitness Association

PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM:
The National Aquatics Program Awards are designed to encourage the development and recognition of outstanding overall Aquatics Programs, specific parts of Aquatic Programs, and Aquatic Directors throughout the country.

CONTEST RATINGS, RANKINGS, ETC:

1. The following will receive recognition for each category and be listed in the order of:
• Top Aquatic Programs in the Country (listed in rank order).
• Top Aquatic Programs by Category. (listed in rank order) (Listings of Categories can be found on Page 1 of the official entry form
• Top State Aquatic Programs (listed in rank order).
• Top Aquatic Directors in the Country (rank order will be listed).
2. SPECIFIC AQUATICS PROGRAMS. The rankings of the following will be listed and sent to all who enter the Aquatic Program Awards Contest.
• Water Exercise Programs (listed in rank order). To be eligible for this ranking you must have an average of 20 different classes per week over a one year period.
• Swimming Instruction Program (listed in rank order)
• Competitive Aquatics Program (listed in rank order)
• Aquatic Special Event (listed in rank order)
• Aquatic Department Fund Raising (listed in rank order)
• Water Shows – Can include Water Pageants and Carnivals (listed in rank order)
• Aquatic Volunteer Program (listed in rank order)
• Junior Aquatic Volunteer Program (listed in rank order)
• Overall Improvements and Positive Changes during the last year (listed in rank order)
Special Note:

1. Listed in rank order means we will list the #1 Program, #2, etc. in order. Only programs that are a high enough quality to be considered as some of the very best specific Aquatics Programs in the country will be listed.
2. This year we will award a special certificate to all aquatic facilities having an average (Summer and Winter) of 25 or more water exercise classes per week.
3. The more support information you submit, the more it can help your rankings.
3. The 2011 results of the above will be posted on the USWFA website and mailed to all facilities who enter the contest when the results are complete.

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Complete the official entry form. The official form must be used. Use as much of the space that is provided as needed. If you are sending a notebook to include support information, do not include the entry form as part of the notebook. The entry form must be separate from the notebook.
2. Support documentation. The following items are optional but will definitely provide bonus points and help in your rankings!
• A copy of the pool(s) schedule, including hours of operation (summer and winter).
• A flyer and information telling about your Top Special Event during the last year.
• A copy of the facility brochure, folder or booklet listing facility and aquatic program information.
• Other flyers, folders or printed materials that you think might be useful to us.
• Colored pictures of your facility and various programs.
3. Notebooks including the entry form and support information are allowed for this year's contest.
4. Mail your official entry form and other items so we receive your entry by the entry deadline, Thursday, December 2, 2010, with the program fee (if not a current USWFA Facility Member) to USWFA National Headquarters.

COMPLETING THE OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM: By completing the official entry form you are indicating that all of the information is accurate and truthful. Any falsification of the facts will disqualify the complete program entry.

VERY IMPORTANT: One application must be completed for each facility. A facility is defined as a pool, or group of pools, at one specific location. Multi-location facilities are a group of facilities owned by the same organization such as several pools at different locations owned by a City Parks and Recreation Department or YMCA, etc. Location facilities wishing to enter must complete an official entry form for each facility. (A "facility" refers to a pool or pools at one specific location).

MATERIALS SUBMITTED: All materials submitted become the property of the United States Water Fitness Association and will not be returned. Materials or part of the materials may be used by the USWFA to promote aquatics throughout the country.

PROGRAM FEE: There is no program fee to current USWFA Facility Members. The program fee for Non-USWFA Facilities to enter the 2011 program is $350.00 per facility. (See above for the determination of a facility.) If you are not a USWFA Facility Member, it would be to your advantage to join the USWFA as a Facility Member because the membership fee includes a one year USWFA Facility Membership, the Aquatics Program Awards Entry Fee and Program Evaluation. See Page 8 of the official entry form regarding program fee payment.

THE PROGRAM:

1. The Program includes the recognition certificates listed in #2A above for those facilities who qualify for them.
2. Each entry form and support information will be reviewed in depth.
3. Each program will be evaluated. The typed evaluation will be sent to the individual who submits the Officail Entry Form.

PROGRAM EVALUATION: THIS IS A VERY SPECIAL BONUS which is done for all facilities entering the 2011 National Program Awards Contest!

1. The evaluation is an Aquatic program evaluation based on the program awards entry form and support information submitted with the 2011 Program Awards Entry Form.
2. This typed evaluation will consist of at least 5 pages of very helpful information for your facility.
3. Non USWFA Facility Members are eligible to have their program evaluated. The fee for Non USWFA Facilities to enter the contest and have their program evaluated is $350.00

CONTEST PROGRAM FEE:

• Option 1. For current USWFA Facility Members. No Fee
• Option 2. Join or renew USWFA Facility Membership (A one year facility membership is $125.)
• Option 3. Non USWFA Facility Member Program Awards entry fee of $350.00 (The best option is to join the USWFA)

WHERE TO MAIL ENTRIES:

1. Mail entries by regular mail or priority mail to:
   United States Water Fitness Association, PO Box 243279, Boynton Beach, FL 33424-3279
2. Mail overnight or 2nd day delivery to:
   400 S. Federal Highway, Suite 414, Boynton Beach, FL 33435

ENTRY FORMS ARE ACCEPTED BY MAIL ONLY (No fax or email)

ENTRY DEADLINE: Thursday, December 2, 2010, at Noon.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE OFFICIAL RESULTS: Complete results will be announced on, or before, March 31, 2011. Facilities who enter the contest will receive the complete results and award certificates by mail.

Official Entry Form