THIS IS YOUR TEAM TOO
Oakton Crew gives students the opportunity to compete against public and private high schools across the region and, during the championship postseason, against top crews from across the nation. Athletes who meet Virginia High School League and Oakton High School requirements are eligible to earn varsity letters.
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Crew is a demanding, team-focused sport built on dedication, discipline, and commitment. Our student-athletes successfully balance six-day-a-week practices with rigorous academics, with 50–70% of the team typically earning GPAs of 3.5 or higher.
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Parents are also an essential part of the team, supporting the program through volunteer activities throughout the season. Spring break practices are mandatory, and while crew requires a significant commitment, the rewards—competition, teamwork, school pride, and a strong sense of community—make the experience unforgettable.
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The Oakton Crew website for information on practices, transportation, regattas, team events, volunteer opportunities, and the downloadable Parents’ Guide to Oakton Crew.
Parent Information
Parent Involvement
Parents play a vital role in the Oakton Cougar Crew Boosters Club, helping organize and support fundraising events, team dinners, volunteer assignments at Occoquan regattas, the annual end-of-season banquet, and more. Parents may also serve as chaperones for out-of-town regattas and practice transportation to the Occoquan. Participation in fundraising and volunteer activities is especially important—it helps make Oakton Crew possible while giving parents a great opportunity to connect with their athletes, teammates, and other Oakton families.
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The Oakton Cougar Crew Boosters Club is led by a Board of Directors elected annually at the end of the season. The Board meets monthly, and all parents are welcome to attend.
Click here for more information about family support obligations and FCPS mandatory volunteer registration requirements.
Be sure to sign up for the e-newsletter, the Booster Club’s primary way of keeping parents informed about important team news, events, and opportunities.
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Please email us with any questions—we’re always happy to help!
Fees
Because crew is not offered at every Fairfax County high school, it is considered a club sport and does not receive direct financial support from Fairfax County Public Schools or Oakton High School. The Oakton Crew program is funded primarily through registration fees paid by rowers’ families, along with fundraising efforts.
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These funds cover the essential costs of running the program, including coaches’ salaries, equipment purchases and maintenance, boat rack fees, regatta entry fees, insurance, and other administrative expenses.
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Registration Fees
This season, the rower registration fee is $75 per rower for Fall Green Days and $2300 per rower for Winter Conditioning and Spring Racing combined. These fees cover most of the costs associated with participating in Oakton Crew but does not include uniforms or expenses related to away regattas or the end of season banquet. Families are required to pay the registration fee before Winter Conditioning begins and have the option of paying in full or spreading the cost over several payments.
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Additional Fees
Uniforms: Mandatory uniforms are not included in the registration fee and have historically cost approximately $125. Rowers are not required to purchase a new uniform each year; as long as it still fits and is in good condition, it may be reused from the previous season. There is also optional team gear and spirit wear available for purchase for both rowers and parents through the team store on the website.
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Away Regattas: Travel to out-of-town regattas involve additional costs for transportation, lodging, meals, and other travel-related expenses. These costs vary depending on the location and number of away regattas scheduled for the season.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Oakton Cougar Crew Booster Club is governed entirely by parent volunteers. The board includes 13 officer positions — from President to VP of Membership to Treasurer — and every one of them is filled by a current Oakton family. Serving on the board is the deepest commitment we ask of families, and the most rewarding. Board members shape the program, manage the budget, support the coaches, and ensure that Oakton Crew runs like the well-organized, well-funded program it is. Elections are held each spring for the following year. If you're interested in serving, reach out to the VP of Administration.
HOSPITALITY: FEED THE TEAM
One of the most beloved volunteer opportunities in the program, and one that puts you right in the middle of the team experience. We host team dinners the night before major regattas — watch a group of athletes who have been grinding through months of training sit down together and just be kids for a few hours. The Hospitality team coordinates the calendar. If you like to cook, entertain, or simply want an excuse to spend an evening with this team, this one's for you.
The hospitality tent at Sandy Run is another high-visibility opportunity — stocking and staffing the tent that feeds and energizes athletes and families throughout a full regatta day.
OPERATIONS: EQUIPMENT AND BOATHOUSE SUPPORT
Sandy Run Work Days bring families together to help maintain the club's equipment and boathouse space — cleaning, organizing, minor repairs, and seasonal setup. These are hands-on, sleeves-rolled-up days that are genuinely fun and give you a close-up look at the equipment your athlete trains on every day. The VP of Operations coordinates work days and welcomes all skill levels.
Volunteer Roles & Opportunities
We mean it when we say there is a right fit for every family. Here's a look at just a few of the volunteer opportunities across the season.
REGATTA SUPPORT
On race days at Sandy Run, Oakton Crew is required to staff a set number of official VASRA positions — marshals, finish line judges, registration volunteers, and more. These are assigned roles with specific responsibilities, and they are essential to the regatta running safely and on schedule. Regatta volunteer sign-ups are posted through the VP of Volunteers well before each race day. VASRA also publishes detailed job descriptions for each position so you know exactly what you're signing up for — find them on our VASRA Volunteer Guide page.
FUNDRAISING
The OCCBC runs fundraising events throughout the year to help keep membership dues as low as possible. Tag days — neighborhood fundraising events hosted by parent volunteers — are one of the most important, and they rely entirely on parent hosts opening up their neighborhoods and their time. Fundraising volunteers work directly with the VP of Fundraising and the VP of Volunteers to make these events happen. No special skills required — just willingness to show up and represent the program
ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATION
Behind every smooth-running season is a lot of behind-the-scenes work: managing membership paperwork, updating the website, producing the weekly newsletter, coordinating email lists, and supporting board members with their committee work. If you have skills in writing, design, technology, or administration and prefer to contribute from behind the scenes, there is meaningful work for you here. Each VP oversees a committee and welcomes parent volunteers to support their area.
BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIRED
Chaperones
TRAVEL & TEAM SUPPORT
Chaperones assist with supervising rowers during bus transport to away regattas and at overnight events. They ensure team safety, maintain check-in protocols, and provide a welcoming presence for athletes during travel.
ORGANIZATION SKILLS PREFERRED
Spirit Wear
SALES & ENGAGEMENT
Help our community show their Cougar pride! This role involves managing our inventory of Oakton Crew apparel, tracking sales at events, and helping new team members pick out their gear at the beginning of the season.
GET INVOLVED
The VP of Volunteers manages all sign-ups and can help match you with the right opportunity for your schedule, skills, and interests. Volunteer opportunities are posted here and in The Catch newsletter throughout the season.
Ready to jump in? Sign Up for Volunteer Opportunities or email the VP of Volunteers at volunteers@oaktoncrew.com.
If you're interested in joining the OCCBC Board of Directors, contact the VP of Administration at administration@oaktoncrew.com.
STAY CONNECTED
The Cougar Crew Board is here to help you navigate through fees, volunteers, and race day logistics. We welcome all new and returning parents to reach out.
info@oaktoncrew.org