Above is a San Jose Sharks hockey logo from many years ago that I tweaked for a fast, illustrative, example of a swimming merit badge or patch.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Here is a suggestion: Merit badges for USA Swimmers!
Above is a San Jose Sharks hockey logo from many years ago that I tweaked for a fast, illustrative, example of a swimming merit badge or patch.
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USA swimming is already doing this - check the deck pass program and the corresponding deck pass app for iPhone and android. Usaswimming.org/deckpass
Thank you for linking me to that. :-) Went to the link, great concept but I wish it wasn't digital.
Not all kids can win a medal but they can purchase a badge they obtained.
Patches, badges and of course medals are things you can wear or display. Digital is nothing but electrons but I must say i do credit USA Swimming for beating me to a good idea. ;-)
For kids now, the place to display anything they're proud of is in the digital world. This is a generation who has never had a roll of film developed - why would you when you can post your pics right away and have all your friends look and comment on them? The same concept applies with the badges. USA Swimming would be woefully behind the ball if they were trying to hawk actual badges at a table outside a swim meet.
You know, I am seeing a sea change in regards to digital versus real world items.
For instance, E., who is 15-years old is demanding all the photos be printed out. T. was shown a typewriter and was blown out that the machine "printed out in real time." I gave it to him as a gift and it's displayed in his area like an artifact from a museum. J., has a friend who bought a Poloroid camera and Vinyl record stores are opening up all over L.A.
Nonetheless your mileage definitely varies and who is to say I am right.
BUT, this can easily surveyed by the kids at large to see what they want. Don't forget, not all of USA Swimming kids have Smart Phones or their own computers.
When I first heard about the Deck Pass Program, I thought the badges were physical objects and thought it was a great idea.
My kid pointed out that they were digital badges.
I agree with Tony. Many kids like to display items on their swim bags, back packs, etc.
Many parents do not allow their kids on computer sharing sites.
Yes Deck Pass was a cool idea, and I used it for awhile until my swimmers lost interest in the digital patches.
I remember the old Motivational Chevrons you could put on you parka. I think ASCA still has them. It would be cool to have them for just doing the longer events.
I just sent my swimmers to a Novice Short Course Meet, and my swimmers who were not quite novice, who wanted to swim I had them do the long events. I got them a little more motivated by telling them that they were getting closer to having an IMX Score. A Patch though would be cool, and possibly give them something to show off their hard work.
This weekend, I asked our local swim supply supplier if there were patches for IMX completers. He said that that was a good idea but didn't know of their existence. It's too bad that USA Swimming doesn't offer these patches - low-tech still motivates and supports swimmer progress. I agree but my team is too small to create a small number of patches - the cost would be too high according to our swim supply provider
I just went to an IMX meet this weekend and asked our swim-supply provider if patches existed for IMX completors. He said it was a good idea but didn't know of their existance. He said it would be too expensive for a me to make up something for my team. I wish USA swimming would provide this. Low-tech patches still motivate, encourage and support swimmer progress. I agree - patches WORK!
I just went to an IMX meet this weekend and asked our swim-supply provider if patches existed for IMX completors. He said it was a good idea but didn't know of their existance. He said it would be too expensive for a me to make up something for my team. I wish USA swimming would provide this. Low-tech patches still motivate, encourage and support swimmer progress. I agree - PATCHES WOULD BE AWESOME!
They are not expensive to make - they are really cheap actually.
If you like I will teach you a really cheap process as to how to get them designed and made? I will do it pro bono and make it a post.
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