All membership applications are handled through Member Splash. Prospective members must create an account through the wait list, whether or not there is an active wait list. If a membership spot becomes available, you will be notified by email at the address provided in your wait-list application. If you previously created a Member Splash account and would like to rejoin, please email membership@westhowardswimclub.org.

• Standard Membership – for household families, couples, or individuals under age 62.
• Senior Membership – for individuals age 62+ or household couples with at least one person age 62+.
• August Membership – a limited one-month membership for August only. It is available on a one-time basis to household families, couples, or individuals who have not previously been WHSC members, including August members. If there is an active wait list, wait-listed applicants may repeat as August members for each year they remain on the wait list until a membership spot becomes available.
• Associate Membership – an optional add-on, with a maximum of two per Standard Membership account, for an adult child age 26+ living at home or a childcare provider age 16+.
• For additional information, please visit the Prospective Members page.

Yes. You may add someone age 16 or older, such as an au pair, nanny, or grandparent, if that person either lives at your address or will help as a childcare provider. That person may be added as an Associate Member.

You may add up to two Associate Memberships to a Standard Membership account for $100 each per season. Associate Members must be accompanied by a regular member, such as a child on your account or another regular member, when visiting the pool.

Log in to your Member Splash account, select Payments, and then select Make a Payment. Enter the Associate Member’s name in the designated fields, and select Add Another if needed. After adding the Associate Member or Members, please upload a headshot photo for each person.

Log in to your Member Splash account, select Manage Account, and then select Update Account. Complete the form. After the administrator adds your new family member to your account, log back in and upload a headshot photo of your child.

Log in to your Member Splash account and select the three dots next to the family member whose information needs to be updated. Select Edit. If that option is not available, select Manage Account, then Update Account, and complete the form.

In your Member Splash account, select the three dots next to the family member’s name and choose Add Photo. Select the pencil icon, then select either the gray square or the upload icon at the bottom left of the window.

Yes. WHSC is considered to be at maximum capacity when it reaches 400 bonded memberships, including Standard and Senior memberships, with up to 375 bonded Standard memberships.

Please see the Initial Membership Costs page on our website.

Annual membership fees are due by April 1 each year. Accounts not paid by that date are considered delinquent and will incur a late fee. If you believe you have a compelling reason to request a late-fee waiver, please contact the Board of Directors at board@westhowardswimclub.org. Accounts that remain unpaid by opening day will be terminated, and the membership bond will be forfeited.

Please submit a written request to the Board for an extension of time to pay the annual membership fee. Extensions may be granted for up to 60 days. Requests must be submitted no later than two weeks before April 1, which is March 18.

Yes. Members may request inactive status for one year. Requests must be sent to the Board by April 1. If approved, inactive members do not pay the annual membership fee for that year and may not use the pool or WHSC facilities during that season. Inactive status may be renewed for more than one year, but a new request must be submitted each year by April 1.

Yes. Memberships may be transferred to an adult child upon approval by the Board.

Yes. Our snack shop is called the Bait Shop. It sells novelty ice cream treats, chips, candy, water, soda, and Gatorade. The Bait Shop is run by member volunteers age 12 and up. Children younger than 12 who are interested in helping must be able to make change from a $20 bill and must be supervised by an adult for the entire shift.

Adult swim is enforced for a 15-minute period each hour at 12:45, 1:45, 2:45, 3:45, and 4:45 p.m. During adult swim, all children under age 18 must exit the pool.

Log in to your Member Splash account, select Manage Account, then select Withdrawal Request and complete the form. Please make sure your email address and mailing address are correct; your bond refund check will be mailed to the address you provide. Withdrawal requests must be submitted by April 1 to avoid having the current season’s annual membership fee deducted from your bond refund, which may result in a partial refund or no refund.

Your bond, less any unpaid fees or damages, will be refunded if and when both of the following conditions are met: the Club’s membership level is at or above the bond refund threshold, currently 375 paid bonded memberships, and your membership has been resold to a new member. If your withdrawal request was submitted after April 1, the current year’s annual membership fee will be deducted from your bond refund. Assuming both conditions have been met, bond refund checks will be issued before the end of the Club’s fiscal year. WHSC typically sends an email when the check is mailed.

No. WHSC cannot issue refunds for unused guest passes. Upon request, however, unused guest passes may be transferred to another member’s account.

Before April 1, you may pay your annual membership fee without a disruption to your membership. After April 1, the late fee must also be paid. After opening day, your account will have been closed. WHSC may reinstate your account if memberships are available, and a $100 reinstatement fee will be applied.

Guest passes may be purchased online through your Member Splash account or at the guard desk by credit card only. Cash is not accepted. To purchase through Member Splash, select Payments, then Make a Payment, and choose the quantity of single guest passes or 10-pass blocks you would like to buy.

• $8 per day, per person.
• $70 for a book of 10 passes.
• Children age 2 and under are admitted free.

Yes. The 10-pass book is already discounted at $70, compared with $80 for 10 individually purchased guest passes.

Each guest must be accompanied by a WHSC member for the entire visit. The Manager or Board may limit the number of guests per family at one time, particularly on busy days or during special events. For large expected guest counts related to pavilion rentals, see the pavilion rental questions below. Members ages 13-18 who are not accompanied by an adult WHSC member may bring one guest per visit. Children age 12 and under must be accompanied by someone age 16 or older.

Yes. Non-member guests who live within 10 miles of WHSC may visit up to six times per season.

Pavilions may be reserved through your Member Splash account or at the guard desk. Reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance. Pavilion rental payments are made at the guard desk on the day of the rental.

• Large pavilion: $40 for four hours.
• Small pavilion: $25 for four hours.
• Only one pavilion may be rented per membership account per day. WHSC limits pavilion rentals to three pavilions at any one time.

Yes. Reservations may be rescheduled or canceled, and prepaid rentals may be refunded, on a case-by-case basis.

Parties expecting more than 30 swimmers must receive Board approval. Please email board@westhowardswimclub.org at least 48 hours before your event date, preferably when you schedule the reservation, to request approval.

Yes. Non-member guests must either pay the daily guest fee upon entry or use guest passes from your Member Splash account.

No. The wading pool pavilion and main pavilion are not available for rental.

Yes. WHSC typically hosts several summer events, including the End of School Year Bash, Crab Feast, Movie Night, Teen Night, and End of Summer Ice Cream Social. Please see the Calendar page for dates and times. Event information may also be posted near the check-in desk, on the chalkboard, or on flyers on the bulletin board as each event date gets closer.

The Crab Feast is WHSC’s popular all-you-can-eat, BYOB crab dinner, typically held in mid- to late summer for adults age 18 and older. Food other than crabs is usually available. Tickets must be purchased in advance at the guard desk.

Yes. The Crab Feast is open to the community, but all attendees must purchase a ticket.

Anyone who would like to attend but will not be eating crabs may purchase a reduced-price non-crab ticket.

Yes. The event is BYOB, but beverages may not be in glass containers. Glass containers are not permitted on pool grounds.

Registration details and fees for the West Howard Wahoos swim team and dive team are posted on the team website. Your child must be a current WHSC member to participate.

Yes. Children may participate in both swim team and dive team. A discount may be available when registering for both teams in the same transaction.

Practices generally begin soon after opening day in late May and run through July. Dive meets are generally held on weekday evenings, and swim meets are generally held on Saturday mornings. Schedules are posted on the team website and on the bulletin boards at the pool.

Each team sets its own registration fee to cover coaches, meet costs, insurance, and league dues. For current fees, please visit westhowardwahoos.swimtopia.com.

WHSC strives to offer group swim lessons each summer, but availability is determined year to year based on the availability of instructors and assistants. If group lessons are offered, information and registration will be posted on the team website and on bulletin boards at the pool.

Yes. WHSC typically has at least one, and often several, swim instructors available for private or semi-private lessons. Check the bulletin board across from the check-in desk for instructor contact information.

Lifeguard and pool management positions are handled by DRD Pool Management. Interested applicants should contact DRD directly or visit drdpools.com for current openings.

Yes. WHSC is a community-run club and appreciates help with social events, swim meets, facility projects, and especially the Bait Shop. Most years, during the off-season, WHSC also needs volunteers to join the Board of Directors as outgoing Board members rotate off. Please contact board@westhowardswimclub.org if you are interested.

The official, most current version of WHSC’s Rules, Regulations, and Policies is posted on the website and available for review at the guard desk.

• Floats and flotation devices are not allowed.
• Noodles are allowed for gentle use only. They may not be used for fighting or hitting other members or guests.
• Life vests must be U.S. Coast Guard-approved.
• Squirt guns may be used only in the grassy play area, not on the pool deck.
• Water balloons are allowed only if they are reusable water balloons.
• Rings, dive toys, and foam or squishy balls are allowed.

Fins and flippers may be allowed at the discretion of the WHSC Manager.

Yes. Food and drinks must be consumed in pavilion or lawn areas, not on the pool deck. Glass containers and alcohol are not permitted, except that alcohol is permitted during approved BYOB special events such as the Crab Feast, subject to the no-glass rule.

No. WHSC is a tobacco-free, vape-free, and drug-free facility.

The Manager or DRD staff may temporarily suspend pool privileges. Repeated or serious violations may be reviewed by the Board and could result in suspension or expulsion under the Bylaws.

The pool season typically runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Daily hours vary depending on the day of the week, whether it is a weekend or holiday, and whether Howard County schools are in session. Please check the Hours page for current hours of operation.

Closure notifications are shared through the pool’s opt-in text system and posted on WHSC social media pages.

You can register by completing the Text Alert Opt-In form.

• Membership or guest-related questions: membership@westhowardswimclub.org
• Pavilion rental questions: facilities@westhowardswimclub.org
• Operational or safety issues: DRD Pool Management at drdpools.com and the WHSC Board
• General Board matters: board@westhowardswimclub.org