ZONE SELECT CAMPS
Zone Select Camps bring the top swimmers in each zone together for a unique motivational experience. Selection is done automatically using the SWIMS times database. There is no application required for Zone Select Camp.
*Selection criteria is subject to change until the time of selection.*
SELECTION CRITERIA
In 2025 , USA Swimming will host two (2) Zone Select Camps. One camp to host the Eastern and Southern Zone, and the second camp will host the Western and Central Zone. Athletes will be notified of their selection no later than March 21, 2025. More details are available in the Full Selection Criteria document below.
Each zone's camp will consist of 60 total athletes.
The fastest available male and female swimmer from each of the 14 Olympic events is selected for the camp.
- Zone 1-14 events (28 athletes, top male and female swimmer)
- Zone 2-14 events (28 athletes, top male and female swimmers)
- Then, 2 female and 2 male athletes will be selected based on their Rank Score*.
*Additional information provided below in the Full Selection Criteria.
Camp Eligibility
Qualifying period:
September 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024. Only Long Course times will be considered.
Eligible athletes will be the respective ages at the time of the qualifying swim:
NOTE: Athletes who wish to attend the Zone Select Camp shall be US Citizens and be able to represent the USA in international competitions. Athletes who are on or have been on any National Select Camps, National Teams/National Junior
Teams or USA Swimming international trips*, including the 2020, 2021, 2022 and/or 2023 National Junior team will not be eligible for the Zone Select Camp. Athletes who previously attended the Zone Select
Camp are not eligible**. Athletes must be Premium USA Swimming members. Flex members must upgrade their membership to be eligible to attend.
*Excluding swimmers who qualified for the National Team and/or National Junior Team for Open Water
Site
Zone Select Camps will be hosted at the following locations for 2024:
- Eastern and Southern Zone - North Carolina State University
- Western and Central Zone - US Olympic and Paralympic Training Center
Dates
Athletes attending Zone Select Camps will arrive on Thursday and depart on Sunday for their respective camps.
- Eastern and Southern Zone - June 6-9, 2024
- Western and Central Zone - May 30 - June 2, 2024
Home Coaches
An athlete's home coach has the first right of refusal and final say in determining if a selected athlete attends the camp.
In 2024, the coach of a selected athlete is also invited to attend the Zone Select Camp in Colorado Springs, CO. Housing, meals, and local transportation for the coach will be provided by USA Swimming. The attending coach will have a separate track from the athlete’s camp.
Camp Staff
Staff for the Select Camps will be selected in two ways. USA Swimming
will select the Head Coaches & Head Managers for each camp. Three
assistant coaches and an assistant manager will be selected by an application process.
Camp Schedule
The Zone Select Camps will consist of four in-water workouts and a
number of classroom sessions covering various topics. The goal is to provide ignition, motivation, and information for athletes to continue to set goals, work hard, excel in swimming, and feel empowered to take ownership of their swimming careers.
Statement of Inclusion
The US Center for Safe Sport and USA Swimming prohibit discrimination against any member or participant on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender expression and gender identity is prohibited (304.3.3). In the event that a question should arise about whether an athlete’s request to participate in a manner consistent with his/her/their gender identity is bona fide, USA Swimming will refer to the Code of Conduct and follow its standard procedures of enforcement.
Questions?
For more information, please contact Kristin Alfano, Manager, Program Operations.
kalfano@usaswimming.org | 719-309-7198
Disclaimer
This event may be canceled by USA Swimming upon reasonable notice for
any reason, including but not limited to a force majeure event. If
deemed necessary, the event may be reassigned or rescheduled.
Selection criteria is subject to change until the time of selection.
Does my athlete need to be a US citizen to attend a USA Swimming camp?
All athletes must be registered USA Swimming athlete members in good standing and be US citizens who have not represented any other FINA Federation in international competition. Athletes who have already represented USA Swimming or another FINA Federation in international competition are not eligible for camp.
Can an athlete attend a Zone Select Camp in the spring and then attend National Select Camp in the fall?
Yes. In fact, we hope that a lot of athletes who attend Zone Select Camps will then go on to have terrific summer seasons and qualify for National Select Camp.
Can an athlete attend multiple camps in the spring? For example National Diversity Select Camp and Zone Select Camp?
During the same year an athlete can attend either the National Diversity Select Camp or the Zone Select Camp, not both. An athlete can attend either the National Diversity Select Camp or the Zone Select Camp and attend the Regional Diversity Select Camp, National Open Water Select Camp (if offered) and the National Select Camp.
Can an athlete attend the same camp more than once?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancelling of camps in 2020, athletes who were selected for a Zone Select Camp, National Diversity Select Camp or Regional (Zone) Diversity Select Camp in 2020 will maintain their eligibility to re-qualify for the same camp in 2021.
In 2021 and beyond, athletes who attend or qualify for Zone Select Camp, Regional Diversity Select Camp, National Diversity Select Camp, National Select Camp, National Open Water Select Camp and National Junior Team Camp are all subject to the same rule: an athlete can attend each camp only once. An athlete who is selected but turns the opportunity down is eligible to be selected the following year. An athlete who is selected, accepts the opportunity and then fails to attend the camp is not eligible for a subsequent selection to the same camp unless an alternate is able to attend in their place.
What is the progression of camps? Can an athlete "step down" a level from one year to the next?
An athlete is no longer eligible to attend a Zone Select Camp once they have attended a National Select Camp or a National Junior Team Camp. Athletes are able to attend both the National Diversity Select Camp and Zone Select Camps in no particular order, but not in the same year. Athletes are also able to attend National Select Camp before attending National Diversity Select Camp and may attend both in the same year.
Where do LSC Camps fit into the progression? Can an athlete attend a Zone or National Camp and then attend an LSC Camp?
LSC Camp selection policies are determined by the LSC. An LSC may choose to restrict attendance by athletes who have attended Zone or National Camps or they may choose to include those athletes in their LSC Camps.