Carefree Crocodiles Swim Team

04/03/2026

Dear Carefree Crocodile Families:

It is the best time of the year! It’s almost Croc’s Season! We are happy to announce that registration for the 2026 season is now open.

Information and registration for this season are available on our website: www.carefreecrocodiles.org. The team will be limited to 145 swimmers, and since we have had a wait list in the past, we encourage you to send in your registration as soon as possible.

This will be the Crocodiles' 52nd season! Mark and I are excited to return as Presidents of the parent board and lead the program into the next 50 years. We are residents of Carefree and have 3 children, Ben 18, Matthew 16, and Hadley 13. This is our 13th summer on the team, so we know what makes this team special, including all the great traditions the Crocs are known for.

Best coaching in the state!
Tristin Grubb (Head coach)
Mallory McDonald : 13-17
Swimming in one of the best outdoor facilities in the city!
Great Spirit wear collection!
Donut Fridays!
Yummy concession stand goodies!
6 fun competitive swim meets
Conference meet: Saturday, July 11th!
Ice Cream Social/Awards Banquet!
The first day of practice is Monday, June 1st

See you at the pool!

Mark and Kate Baranko

Carefree Swim Team

Link to registration: https://www.carefreecrocodiles.org/register

07/17/2025

Hello Crocodiles,

We hope you had an awesome summer swimming at Carefree! Just one last email to end the season. If you participated in the Conference meet on July 12th then your ribbons are available for pick up at the Carefree pool guard shack. Additionally, if you missed the awards banquet on Friday then you also can pick up your award from your coach at the guard shack. The pool is open daily from 11am-9pm. Feel free to stop by anytime!

Hope to see you all next summer and Go Crocs!

Kate and Mark Baranko

06/28/2025

Hygiene Drive - June 28- July 15

To support Faith Cares Food Pantry

Accepting any hygiene products: soap, toothbrushes/ paste, toilet paper, feminine hygiene, diapers, disposable razors, etc.

How to donate: Find us at Crocs home swim meets, drop its in the box at the Carefree pool, or message us your address (or put in comments) and we will pick up!

Thanks in advance!!

06/25/2025

Hello Carefree Crocodile families! Our next swim meet is this Thursday, June 26 at 6:00 at Chapel Glen. Thank you to all volunteers! We cannot do these swim meets without you. We need one ribbon writer/scorer for this Thursday’s away meet. If anyone has any questions at all, please call text or email me. Thank you!

Jana Woodard

317-517-6965

[email protected]

06/22/2025

Hello Crocodile Families,

We’re gearing up for a hot week at the pool!

Tuesday - 6/24

No meet. Enjoy the night off from competition!

Thursday - 6/27

Away vs. Chapel Glen

Please declare your swimmer by 6pm on Wednesday

Arrive at the Chapel Glen by 5:15 for warmups at 5:30

See you at the pool,

Mark and Kate Baranko

05/28/2025

Happy Memorial Day Crocs!

Welcome to the 2025 Carefree Crocodiles Swim season! We are so excited you have chosen to spend your summer with us. We know you will have a blast!

Please join us for an open house style Meet the Coaches night on Thursday, May 29th, 6-7 pm at the Carefree Clubhouse 1202 Leisure Ln. This is a chance to meet your coach, pick up your swim cap, order a fence sign, and get your questions answered!

Spiritwear

LAST CALL STORE CLOSING TONIGHT (MAY 26th) AT 11:59 pm!!!

We have partnered with Spotlight Strategies to provide Crocodiles spiritwear and accessories. Check out the store at this link:

https://carefreecrocodiles2025.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Practice will begin Monday June 2nd 7:30-8:30am or 8:30-9:30am

This email contains information about the majority of our most-asked parent questions. Don’t forget the Crocs website is a valuable resource for most questions. You must create a login to enter swim meets and sign up for volunteer positions.

www.carefreecrocodiles.org

This is a recreational team and please keep in mind that the focus of this organization is about kids having fun! It is not affiliated with Indiana Swimming and times cannot be used for a USA swim meet.

Board Members

Mark and Kate Baranko - Co-Presidents ([email protected])
Janet Hendel - Treasurer
Alissa Palley- Concessions
Mark and Jana Woodard- Volunteer Coordinators
Coaches

Tristin Grubb - (9-12) Head Coach
Sarah O’Brien - (8 & under)
Kaitlin Kennedy - (Technique Coach)
Mallory McDonald- (13 & up)
Team Suits

You are not required to buy a team suit, but if you would like to do so please visit the online store on our website. This will direct you to our team store on SwimOutlet. The 25’ team suit is the Sporti Catalyst.

https://www.carefreecrocodiles.org/shop

Practices

The first day of practice will be Monday June 2nd at 7:30am-8:30am or 8:30am-9:30am. Practices will be every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday after that. Please note that every Friday is “Fun Friday” which includes doughnuts after practice! Meet awards will be available on Fridays.

Meets

We have 6 dual meets this year (4 home and 3 away) and the Conference Championship is Saturday, July 12th at Decatur High School. The awards banquet/Ice Cream Social is Friday, July 11th at 4:30 pm at the Carefree Clubhouse.

All meets begin at 6:00 pm. For home meets, swimmers must arrive by 4:45 pm for setup and warmups. For away meets swimmers will need to arrive at the pool by 5:15 pm for warmups.

You must sign up your swimmer(s) for each meet no later than 12:00 pm (noon) the day before the meet. The Conference Meet will require you to enter your swimmer(s) at least 7 days before the meet.

The swim meet schedule has been posted on the general calendar on the website.

Meet Signup

https://www.carefreecrocodiles.org/swim_meets

Pool Locations

https://www.carefreecrocodiles.org/pool-locations

Weather

Our head coach, Tristin, will use the Remind app for weather updates and meet/practice status. Please download the app to your phone. More information about how to join her group will follow at a later date.

Volunteers

Each meet requires many volunteers to run smoothly, and most of those positions are filled by the home team. Each family is required to volunteer a minimum of two (2) times during the season. There will also be volunteer positions for the ice cream social/awards and Conference meet.

If you have any questions or concerns about volunteer requirements, please see Volunteer Coordinators Mark and Jana Woodard.

You can sign up for meets and volunteer positions at the following link

https://www.carefreecrocodiles.org/swim_meets

Concessions

All teams have concession stands and we encourage you to support other teams as well as our own.

Swimmer Safety

Highest priority with safety measures in place
Highly competent coaches
Certified lifeguards at all practices and meets
Social Media

Facebook - Carefree Crocodiles Swim Team

We will periodically post photos of practice and meets on Facebook. If you do not want your child included, please contact Mark or Kate.

Feel free to contact Mark or Kate with any questions.

[email protected]

See you at the pool!

05/05/2025

Carefree Crocodiles!

Registration is now OPEN at:
www.carefreecrocodiles.org
Don’t miss your chance to join the team this season! 🐊💦

We’re also looking for awesome local sponsors to support our swimmers—check out sponsorship opportunities on the site!

And the team store is live! Grab your suits, shirts, bags, and more to gear up and rep the Crocs.

https://carefreecrocodiles2025.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Practices start June 2nd! See you at the pool! 🐊
🏊‍♂️🏊‍♀️🏊

04/12/2025

04/12/2025

Today is the day! Register Now!

www.carefreecrocodiles.org

04/09/2025

🐊 Support the Carefree Crocodiles – Become a Team Sponsor! 🐊

Calling all local businesses, generous gators, and community champions—the Carefree Crocodiles Swim Team is on the hunt for sponsors, and we’d be snappy to have your support! 🐊

This is a fin-tastic opportunity to show your love for our young swimmers while getting your business seen by tons of local families all summer long. Check out our sponsorship levels:

🥉 Bronze – $150
Small logo on team shirts & website

🥈 Silver – $300
Small logo on shirts, website, and poolside banner

🥇 Gold – $500
Medium logo on shirts, website, and poolside banner

💎 Platinum – $750
Large logo on shirts, website, and poolside banner (Top Croc status!)

Your support helps us provide team gear, meet supplies, and of course fuels the fierce Crocodile spirit! 🐊❤️ Plus, it’s a great way to show your customers that you care about community—because nothing says "we're local" like backing the neighborhood swim team.

Interested? Shoot us a message or visit our website —we’d love to chomp at the chance to partner with you!

www.carefreecrocodiles.org

04/09/2025

🐊💦 Carefree Crocodiles Swim Team – Registration Opens April 12th! 💦🐊

Hey Crocodile families! It’s almost that time again—sunshine, splashes, and our favorite summer crew: The Carefree Crocodiles! 🏊‍♂️☀️

🗓️ Mark your calendars:
✅ Registration opens Saturday , April 12th
✅ Our season kicks off Monday, June 2nd

Whether your little swimmer is a first-time guppy or a seasoned croc, we can’t wait to see everyone back in the pool. Be sure to spread the word—neighbors, friends, cousins visiting for the summer—the more the merrier!

Let’s make a splash this season! 🐊💚

www.carefreecrocodiles.org