Women Swimmin' and Go the Distance for Hospicare volunteers are the backbone of the event. Plus, they have a blast.
There are numerous opportunities to volunteer before and on the day of the event. This is a great way to get involved and show your support for the participants, Hospicare, and the community at large. Even better, invite your friends and family members to join you. What a great way to spend a summer morning together!
Pre-event Volunteer Opportunities
Swim Day Volunteer Opportunities and all locations
Volunteer Information
Join us for our 23rd Annual Women Swimmin' & Go the Distance for Hospicare on Saturday August 8th. We rely on 200+ volunteers to ensure the safety of our 300+ swimmers. Please join us! On Swim Day, buses will pick up swimmers at Cass Park and transport then to Camp Comstock, where they will get in the water and swim across the lake to the Myers Park. The swim will conclude with a celebration of all our efforts at Myers Park!
All money raised by Women Swimmin’ goes directly toward patient services at Hospicare, including subsidies for patients without means to cover the cost of their care, and bereavement services for those in our community dealing with loss (regardless of if their loved one died on hospice services or not). Together, we make a difference in our community. Thank you for helping us out!
Women Swimmin’ & Go the Distance for Hospicare Volunteer Roles
Prep – At Hospicare, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. on August 3th, to prepare materials, assemble packets and distribute packets to swimmers and volunteers. It’s a great way to get involved with Women Swimmin’ for Hospicare if you can’t be there on swim day!
Packet Pick-Ups - Tuesday August 4th or Wednesday August 5th! See times below: All pick-ups are at the Hospicare residence at 172 E King Road, Ithaca. Participant packets are for swimmers, folks who are Going the Distance, and our fundraisers. Volunteers can also pick up their T-shirt and nametag at the packet pick-ups (if you are a returning volunteer we ask you to please use your shirt from previous years-if you need a new one please let us know).
Hours for Pick Ups:
Support Paddler Meeting – Thursday August 6th 5:30 - 9:00 pm at Boynton Middle School Auditorium. Help get our support paddlers ready to go for Swim Day! Check them in and give them the information they need for a successful event
Myers Park Setup - Friday August 7th 5:00 - 7:00 pm, help setup Myers Park for the big day. Unload the truck with all the materials, move tables and chairs around and prepare items for a quick setup Saturday morning.
Swim Day Volunteer Spots
Saturday, August 8th, 2026
Cass Park, Ithaca - Various positions and time slots from 5:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Help our awesome swimmers as they start their day! Swimmers and get checked in and sorted into their pods before boarding the buses that will take them to Camp Comstock on the west side of the lake where they'll start their swim.
Myers Park, Lansing – Various positions and time slots from 4:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Volunteers arrive at Myers Park to help set up. Volunteers host breakfast, staff the information & merchandise tents, direct traffic, and more.
Camp Compstock – Various positions and time slots from 6:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Swimmers arrive in waves by bus and then set off for the opposite shore.