YMCA Progressive Swimming Lessons!          
 
Swimming Lesson Information
· Swim classes are small and fill up quickly, so please sign-up promptly when registration opens. For general information on YMCA classes along with session and registration dates, click here.
· During the summer, swim classes meet once per week for 5 weeks; you can register for any particular day and time indicated in the class description. Special Summer classes that meet 4 days a week for two weeks are also available; click here for the dates and times of these special 2 week classes.
· If you are unsure which class to sign up for, we will be happy to evaluate your child's swimming ability for placement. Contact the Aquatics Department to set up an appointment.
· To ensure your child's safety in our swimming programs, and to maintain a proper instructor/student ratio, we do not allow children to make-up missed classes.
· Parents must supervise children in the locker room. Swimmers are required to take a shower before entering the pool.
What is the YMCA Y-Skippers Swim Program?

Y-Skippers is an educational program for children five years old and under. The program includes the basics of water safety and swimming skills. It is divided into two major components –
Age 3 & Under: A parent accompanies the child in the water for safety and comfort. This is water adjustment experience, not "swimming" lessons, as children of this age cannot be water safe.
Age 3–5: Instruction includes water adjustment, beginning swimming skills, and safety.

Swim Bubbles: In the beginner swim lessons, the YMCA uses a flotation device we call a "bubble". It allows beginners to feel a sense of confidence and accomplishment while making it easier to focus on stroke development. The amount of floatation is gradually decreased as the appropriate skills develop.

What is the YMCA Progressive Swim Program?

The National YMCA has a six level "progressive" program for children six years old and over. The swimmer works through a series of skills at each level. Every level includes skills in five areas: personal safety, stroke development, character development skills, personal growth and fitness, and rescue. Children may be moved to the next level when all skills on the preceding level have been completed. Many skills in these levels, especially those in stroke development, are dependent on physical development, strength and coordination. Please remember that children develop at different rates and their progression through these levels will vary greatly.

Fees for Swim Classes
Note: All Progressive Swim classes for 6 to 12 year olds are 45 minutes in length; all Y-Skippers classes for 5 year olds and under are 30 minutes in length. Classes meet once per week at the selected day and time. Price shown is for a complete 5 week class session. (Special Summer classes that meet 4 days a week for two weeks are also available; click here for the dates, times, and prices of these special 2 week classes.)
YMCA Members Non-members
 30 minute lessons – $15.50   30 minute lessons – $31.00 
 45 minute lessons – $22.50   45 minute lessons – $45.00 

Private Swim Lessons and Pool Rentals are also available!
And don't forget: the YMCA Backyard Pool Program will bring YMCA swim instructors to your backyard pool for neighborhood swim lessons – and treat your children to free instruction in the process! If you are interested in hosting a program in your pool, or if you are interested in private lessons or pool rentals, please call Emily Nannfeldt or Karen Richardville at 428-YMCA.

Classes for 3 Year Olds and Under —

Shrimp/Kipper (ages 6-36 months)
A special water enrichment program designed to help the parent work with the child in learning to enjoy water. Emphasis is on a positive water experience to introduce swimming skills. (It is recommended that diapers not be worn. Plastic pants or other "bottoms" that are lightweight and have tight-fitting legs are best. Heavy diapers, disposable diapers and thick training pants tend to hold water and become weighted and soggy.)

Wednesday, 6:30-7:00 pm
Saturday, 9:50-10:20 am

Perch
Teacher recommendation required
Strengthening your child through water movement is the basis of this parent participation class. Basic skills are enhanced by learning propulsion and independence along with an increased awareness of safety.

Wednesday, 7:05-7:35 pm


Classes for 3 to 5 Year Olds —

It is important to allow children to progress as their own physical and emotional development allows. We encourage you to support each accomplishment of your child, and understand his or her occasional step back. We issue progress cards at the end of each session, not report cards. Please assist us in making your children aware of their improvements regardless of which class they are in.

If you are unsure which class your 3 to 5 year old child should take, click [here].

Pike
Beginner skills. Includes water adjustment and basic skills of floating, kicking, and breathing. Bubbles are worn.

Monday, 4:00-4:30 pm
Wednesday, 4:00-4:30 pm
Wednesday, 6:30-7:00 pm
Saturday, 9:50-10:20 am

Eel
Advanced beginner skills. Includes floating on front and back without assistance, introduction to rotary breathing and safety skills.

Monday, 4:00-4:30 pm
Monday, 6:30-7:00 pm
Wednesday, 4:00-4:30 pm
Wednesday, 6:30-7:00 pm
Saturday, 9:50-10:20 am

Ray
Intermediate skills. Includes rotary breathing, back sculling, front crawl and safety skills.

Monday, 4:00-4:30 pm
Monday (with Starfish), 6:30-7:00 pm
Wednesday, 4:00-4:30 pm
Wednesday, 6:30-7:00 pm
Saturday (with Starfish), 10:25-10:55 am

Starfish
Creative/Advanced skills. Includes stroke coordination and safety skills.

Monday, 4:00-4:30 pm
Monday (with Ray), 6:30-7:00 pm
Wednesday, 6:30-7:00 pm
Saturday (with Ray), 10:25-10:55 am


Classes for 6 to 12 Year Olds —

If you are unsure which class your 6 to 12 year old child should take, click [here].

Tadpole
Introductory level. For those with no swim experience and/or a fear of water. Instruction includes water adjustment and basic skills of floating, skulling, kicking, breathing, and an introduction to the front and back crawl.

Wednesday, 4:35-5:20 pm
Saturday, 9:00-9:45 am

Polliwog
Introductory level. For those with little or no previous swim experience. Swimmers will work toward swimming the front crawl and kicking on their back across the width of the pool.

Monday, 4:35-5:20 pm
Wednesday, 4:35-5:20 pm
Wednesday, 7:05-7:50 pm
Saturday, 9:00-9:45 am

Guppy
Prerequisites: Successful completion of the Polliwog requirements, or the ability to swim the width of the pool.

Monday, 4:35-5:20 pm
Monday, 7:00-7:45 pm
Wednesday, 4:35-5:20 pm
Wednesday, 7:05-7:50 pm
Saturday, 9:00-9:45 am

Minnow
Prerequisites: Successful completion of the Guppy requirements, or the ability to swim one length of the pool using both front crawl with breathing and back crawl.

Monday, 4:35-5:20 pm
Monday, 7:00-7:45 pm
Wednesday, 4:35-5:20 pm
Wednesday, 7:05-7:50 pm
Saturday, 10:25-11:10 am

Fish
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Minnow requirements, or the ability to swim 2 lengths of the front crawl with rotary breathing, 2 lengths of the back crawl, elementary backstroke, and knowledge of breaststroke.
Flying Fish
Prerequisites: Successful completion of the Fish requirements, or those swimmers with strong skills in front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke and endurance. Participants will be introduced to butterfly, individual medley and diving skills.

Fish and Flying Fish are offered together.
Monday, 4:35-5:20 pm
Wednesday, 7:05-7:50 pm

— Summer Special —
2 Week Swim Sessions!

Classes meet Monday through Thursday for two weeks at the specified time. These 2 week sessions are designed to give your child concentrated experience in the water. Please refer to the once per week swim lessons (above) for class descriptions.
– Two Week Session Dates –

 

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 June 9 – June 19
 June 23 – July 3
 July 7 – July 17
 July 21 – July 31
 August 4 – Aug.14
 August 18 – Aug. 28

Classes for 5 Year Olds and Under:
Pike –
Eel –
Ray –
    Starfish –		   10:35-11:05 am
10:35-11:05 am
10:35-11:05 am
10:35-11:05 am  

Classes for 6 to 12 Year Olds:
Polliwog –
Guppy –
Minnow –
Fish/Flying Fish –		   9:45-10:30 am
9:45-10:30 am
9:45-10:30 am
9:45-10:30 am   
2 Week Session Fees  
All swim classes for 6 to 12 year olds are 45 minutes; all classes for 5 year olds and below are 30 minutes. Price shown is for a complete 2 week swim session.
YMCA Members Non-Members
  30 min. lessons: $24.00     30 min. lessons: $48.00  
  45 min. lessons: $35.75     45 min. lessons: $71.25  
Classes for 13 Year Olds and Above —

Click here to go the the Adult & Teen Aquatic Programs page!