Policies and Agreements

General Policy Agreements

A) Dream Big Swim Academy (DBSA) requires electronic written notifications for all communication. DBSA accepts the following written communication methods:

1.) Email to dreambigswimacademy@gmail.com

2.) Text message to this number only – 304-919-2929. Personal messaging is not accepted

3.) Electronic messages on Facebook through the DBSA page only. Personal messaging is not accepted.

*At NO time will verbal notification/communication be accepted. No exceptions. *
• Failure to submit correct written notification may result in payment forfeiture, program dismissal or other action.

B) A minimum two-month consecutive participation in the program is required. You will be billed for two consecutive months regardless of participation.

C) All accounts are required to have a valid credit card or bank account stored on file. Clients are responsible for updating this information.
• Accounts with declined or invalid payment methods will not be permitted into lessons until the payment method is updated. The lesson day/time may be forfeited and re-enrollment required. No refunds or credit for missed/absent classes.

D) Tuition fees and other charges are billed on the 15th of each month. Account balances must be paid in full BEFORE the 1st of the following month. Payments must be made prior to classes starting.

Students with outstanding account balances will not be admitted into class. No credit or refunds will be given for missed classes. *See Payment Policy Below*

E) Tuition is billed for the entire month, regardless of previously scheduled events, vacations, or other obligations. No credits or refunds are given for missed classes. Make up lessons are permitted only if DBSA receives electronic written notification 24-hours in advance. *See Attendance Policy Below*

F) If at any time after the two-month minimum participation period you would like to discontinue lessons, you must submit electronic written notification to DBSA before the 15th day of the month. After tuition fees are billed and statements emailed on the 15th, the scheduling is final and no changes will be made. NO Exceptions.
• If you fail to notify DBSA by the 15th day of the month, you will automatically be billed for the next month and responsible for the full payment. No exceptions. No refunds. *See Termination Policy Below*

G) Accounts with multiple late payments, declined/invalid payment methods, returned checks, attendance issues or other continued policy violations will be considered a “problem account.” Problem accounts are prevented from enrolling into any new classes, including make up lessons.
• Problem accounts will be placed on a 6-week probationary period. During this time, any further account difficulties or policy violations, will result in immediate dismissal from the program and no readmittance for a (1) one-year period. No refunds or credits will be given. Any remaining balance must be paid in full before re-admittance will be considered. * Re-admittance is NOT guaranteed. *

H) DBSA reserves the right to use any photographs and/or videos taken during lessons for advertising and marketing purposes. Any photographs and/or videos acquired during lessons or by other means, such as but not limited to guardian submission, will be considered property of DBSA. Written consent is NOT required for use of any obtained photography or videos. If you choose not to participate in advertising or marketing activities, you must submit a hand-written and signed letter stating you do not wish to participate. All efforts to accommodate requests will be made but not guaranteed. DBSA does not accept responsibility for photographs and/or videos used by other parties.

Payment Policy

a) Registration fees are a one-time charge and must be paid online. Fees are non-refundable. Fee is not a deposit nor will it be applied as credit to tuition fees.
b) Cash and check payments may be brought to lessons and deposited into the locked payment box only. At no time are DBSA staff permitted to accept or deposit payments. DBSA is not responsible for lost/stolen payments left with other personnel, incorrectly deposited, or misplaced.
c) Invoices are emailed on the 15th of the month. All balances must be paid in full on or before the 1st of each month. Payments received after 11:59 pm EST on the 1st will be charged a $15 late fee.
d) All outstanding account balances will automatically be charged to the account’s saved payment method on the 2nd day of the month.
e) Declined/invalid credit card payments will be charged a declined card fee ($35) in addition to the late fee ($15). Bank withdrawals or checks returned from the bank will be charged an insufficient funds fee ($40) in addition to the late fee ($15). *Declined/invalid payments will receive an email. *
• Balances must be paid in full before the start of the next lesson. Students with outstanding balances will not be permitted into lessons until the balance is paid in full.
• No refunds or credits given for missed classes. Lesson day/time may be forfeited and re-enrollment required.
f) Credit/debit card payments have a 3% processing fee. Bank withdrawals have a 1% processing fee. These fees will be added to the account after payments have been processed.
g) Cash payments receive a $5.00 discount applied to the next month’s invoice. The full account balance must be paid for the discount to be applied.

Attendance Policy

a) Students arriving 15 minutes (or more) late to a 30- minute lesson will not be permitted to start the lesson. Payment and lesson are forfeited. Students will not be permitted to do “half” or “partial” lessons for any period of time.

b) Lessons may be rescheduled for another day and time only if electronic written notice is given 24 hours in advance. Less than 24-hour electronic written notification will result in forfeiture of payment and no rescheduling option.

c) Notification of cancellation is required before the lesson’s scheduled start time, even if it is less than 24-hours. Failure to notify before lessons begin will be considered a “No Show.”

• Two (2) “No Show” events in a two-month period will result in a 1-lesson suspension with payment forfeited.

• Two (2) “No Show” events in a one-month period will result in immediate removal from the program with payment forfeiture and permanent program removal. No re-admittance to the program.

• Three (3) “No Show” events during any participation period will result in permanent removal from the program with payment forfeiture. No re-admittance to the program.

d) One (1) lesson per month may be rescheduled free of charge. Additional reschedules/make ups will be assessed a $15/lesson fee.

e) Make up lessons must be scheduled within two (2) weeks of the absence. After a two-week period, the lesson is forfeited and cannot be rescheduled.

• If you are unable to schedule a makeup lesson during any of the available options or two-week time period, the lesson is forfeited. No refunds or credits are given.

**Little Dreamers Classes do not have a makeup option for missed classes. In the event of an absence, the tuition fee is not refunded or credited.**

Termination Policy:

a) Billing for the next month is automatic. If you wish to discontinue lessons for the next month, you must submit electronic written notification to DBSA before the 15th day of the month. After tuition fees are applied and statements emailed on the 15th, the scheduling is final and no changes will be made.

b) If you fail to notify DBSA by the 15th day of the month, you are still responsible for the full payment, regardless of attendance.
c) Written notice submitted after the 15th of the month will be accepted as notification for the next billing cycle. No further notification is necessary.
d) Noncompliance with this policy will result in permanent removal from the program. Outstanding balances will be charged to the payment method on file.
• If the payment method on file is invalid/declined, the applicable fees will be charged in addition to the late fee. You will have one-month (30 days) to pay the outstanding account balance. After 30 days, additional late fees will be added, and the outstanding balance will be turned into a collection agency.

Diaper Policy

a) ALL children 3 years of age (36 months) and under must be properly doubled diapered – regardless of toilet training. ALL students who are not fully toilet trained must be double diapered regardless of age. (Please refer to mobile app, website, or welcome emails for correct diapering directions.)

b) Children found to be improperly diapered will be removed from the pool. The lesson and payment will be forfeited.

c) In the event that the pool must be closed due to fecal matter, students who were found to be improperly diapered will be charged for the closure and ALL associated costs. These fees include, but are not limited to – pool rental fees, tuition fees for all cancelled classes/lessons, instructor pay, cost of pool treatment and chemicals, and equipment replacement.

Wetsuit & Swim Attire Policy:

Please refer to the website, mobile app or welcome information for detailed specifics.

a) Students who are improperly dressed or are cold & shivering will be removed from the pool or not permitted to enter. The lesson will be forfeited and no refunds will be given.

b) Wetsuits are required for all students ages 4 & under from September to May.

Wetsuits must be made of neoprene material. Rashguards, nylon or other material will not permitted.

c) Students over the age of 4 who are thin, in lower/less active levels or chill easily may be required to wear a wetsuit.

Weirton Millsop Pool Facility Policy and Closures:

Dream Big Swim Academy is an independent entity and is not affiliated with Millsop Community Center. Maintenance, upkeep, and other general issues and complaints about the facility should be taken to the facility staff.

a) This is a rented facility, and we are subject to ALL pool rules and facility management.

b) Dream Big Swim Academy is not responsible for pool or building closures. Rescheduling may be possible but is NOT guaranteed. If lessons cannot be rescheduled, they will be forfeited. No refunds.

c) Inclement weather conditions that result in pool closure or lesson cancellation such as hazardous road conditions, thunderstorms, and lightening at will not be refunded. Rescheduling may be possible but is NOT guaranteed. If lessons cannot be rescheduled, they will be forfeited.

d) All participants must wait in the designated area on the pool deck. No one is permitted to cross the pool deck, wait in the bench area, or use the emergency exit/employee door.

e) If you are more than 5 minutes early to the lesson, you must remain in the locker room. No one is permitted to be in the waiting more than 5 minutes early due to spacing.

f) Students must be picked up in the waiting area on time. Please make sure to leave the observation area when students are exiting the pool and be on the deck waiting for the student.

g)Multiple lessons occur at the same time. Observers must refrain from creating distractions. This includes but is not limited to: loud cheering, clapping, coaching, verbal encouragement or general yelling from the observation area. Observers who continue to cause distractions will be asked to leave the observation area.

Mingo Home Pool Facility Policy and Closures:

This is a private, backyard home pool.

a.) There are NO RESTROOMS available for public use. No exceptions. Clients will need to find other means of restrooms for students or travel to Aracoma park to use the public facilities.

b.) Due to the small size of the pool and parent area: Only ONE person is permitted to bring students to the Mingo facility, regardless of the number of students. Additional persons will be asked to leave. This includes non-participant siblings.

c.) No one is permitted to leave the designated parent waiting area. Anyone found outside of the waiting area or wandering the property will be prosecuted for trespassing.

d.) Parking is on the street or across from the playground. Anyone who parks in or blocks the private driveway will be towed at the owner’s expense.

e.) Inclement weather conditions that result in pool closure or lesson cancellation such as hazardous road conditions, thunderstorms, and lightening at will not be refunded. Rescheduling may be possible but is NOT guaranteed. If lessons cannot be rescheduled, they will be forfeited.

f.)Multiple lessons occur at the same time. Observers must refrain from creating distractions. This includes but is not limited to: loud cheering, clapping, coaching, verbal encouragement or general yelling from the observation area. Observers who continue to cause distractions will be asked to leave the observation area.

Little Dreamers Classes

a) This class teaches infant rescue skills such as independent floating and rolling. Infants and children are fully submerged during the course.

b) A parent or other adult must accompany the swimmer in the water and will need to demonstrate the skills being taught in class. Participants must stay with the group and follow instruction. You must stay with the class and participate in the same activities as the group. No one is permitted to break away from the class, use equipment without permission, or attempt skills without instructor supervision. This class should be taken seriously.

c) ANY diversion from this policy will result in immediate removal from the pool with payment forfeiture. A second violation will result in immediate removal from the pool and dismissal from the program. All payments are forfeited.

d) Little Dreamers Classes do not have the option to make up a missed class. In the event of an absence, the tuition fee is not refunded or credited and the lesson is forfeited.

Covid-19 Additions:

Note: The policies are for the health and safety of all parties involved. Any violation in these policies will result in immediate removal from the property, lesson and payment forfeiture and consideration for program removal with no re-admittance.

a.) Only TWO persons per FAMILY may bring students to lessons. This may be a parent & sibling, two parents, or a parent & guest but only TWO observers are permitted. There will be no exceptions. Additional guests will be asked to leave.

Only ONE person is permitted to bring students to the Mingo facility. Additional persons will be asked to leave. This includes non-participant siblings.

b.) All parties will be required to fill out a health forms. These forms are to be answered honestly. Any falsification of these forms will be considered negligence and said parties will be removed from the program with lessons and payment forfeited. Parties who knowingly have been exposed to COVID-19 or are infected and do not stay home, may have a criminal charge filed.

c.) All participants must fill out Covid & hold harmless waivers.

d.) All bystanders and other parties will be required to maintain the minimum 6-foot social distancing requirement.

HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT:

I have read and agree with the included policies and procedures and I, the undersigned participant, on behalf of my heirs, legatees and assigns, hereby agree to indemnify, save and hold harmless Dream Big Swim Academy staff, employees, operators, or any representatives, the Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation and Millsop Community Center, or any of its agents, representatives, employees or assigns, for my health, safety, or any injury and/or disability arising out of or resulting from the use of the facility, equipment, or participation in planned programs.

I have prepared myself for the activity in which I or my heir, legatees and assigns, may participate. I hereby represent that I have disclosed all restrictions and/or conditions that may prohibit or inhibit participation in the activity I have chosen.

I have read and understand the foregoing.