School Age (6-13) Swim Lessons

This youth program teaches water adjustment and basic swimming skills for children 1st grade through 12 years. Children will progress through 3 levels in a student-centered program, allowing each child to progress at their own pace. Students are grouped by ability.

Descriptions of School-Age Swim Lesson Classes

This swim class focuses on water acclimation and is for the beginner schoolage swimmer. If you’re unsure of the proper swim lesson placement for your child, please schedule a swim evaluation. In this class, swimmers learn all aspects of water safety, appropriate class behavior, listening skills, and independence in the pool. To advance, children must master the following swim skills: bobs; proper water exit; jump into water over their head, push off from the bottom, turn, and grab the side of the pool (jump-push-turn-grab); float on both front and back for 10 seconds; and swim-float-swim for 10 feet. Mastering these skills is the benchmark for progressing to the next swim lesson level.

This swim class focuses on water movement and is for the school-age swimmer who has advanced out of Stage 1 school-age swim lessons or has completed a swim evaluation. This class encourages forward movement in the water and basic water self-rescue skills. Swimmers increase their endurance and distance and learn the skill of treading water. To advance, children must master the following swim skill benchmarks: jump into water over their head, push off from the bottom, turn, and grab the side of the pool (jump-pushturn-grab); front and back float for 20 seconds; swim-float-swim 5 yards; front and back glides for 10 feet; and tread water for 10 seconds. Must have passed School-Age Stage 1 or tested with the swim director.

This swim class focuses on stamina in the water and is for the school-age swimmer who has advanced out of Stage 2 school-age swim lessons or has completed a swim evaluation. Swimmers develop intermediate water selfrescue skills and increase their endurance and distance while mastering freestyle and backstroke. To advance, children must master the following swim skill benchmarks: retrieve an object from the bottom of the pool; swimfloat-swim for 15 yards; jump-swim-turn-swim-grab for 10 yards; tread water for 1 minute; and swim freestyle and backstroke for 15 yards each. Must have passed School-Age Stage 2 or tested with the swim director.

This swim class provides swim stroke introduction and is for the school-age swimmer who has advanced out of Stage 3 school-age swim lessons or has completed a swim evaluation. This swim lesson reinforces endurance and water safety through treading water and elementary backstroke. Swimmers are introduced to breaststroke, butterfly, and elementary backstroke. To advance, children must master the following swim skill benchmarks: tread water using 2 different kicks for 1 minute; swim 15 yards each using freestyle with rhythmic breathing, backstroke, and elementary backstroke; breaststroke and butterfly for 15 yards each; and demonstrate that they can swim any stroke for 25 yards. Must have passed School-Age Stage 3 or tested with the swim director.

This swim class provides swim stroke development and is for the school-age swimmer who has advanced out of Stage 4 school-age swim lessons or has completed a swim evaluation. Swimmers are refining freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and elementary backstroke. To advance, children must master the following swim skill benchmarks: tread water using 2 different kicks for 90 seconds; breaststroke and butterfly for 25 yards each; and swim for 50 yards with any combination of swim strokes. Must have passed School-Age Stage 4 or tested with the swim director.

Who has advanced out of Stage 5 school-age swim lessons or has completed a swim evaluation. This swim class refines stroke techniques on all major competitive strokes and encourages swimming as part of a healthy lifestyle. Flip and open turns are introduced. To advance, children must master the following swim skill benchmarks: tread water for 2 minutes; swim freestyle 100 yards, swim backstroke or elementary backstroke 100 yards; swim breaststroke and butterfly for 50 yards each. After completion of this course, swimmers are invited to explore our other aquatic programs to further their swimming careers. Must have passed School-Age Stage 5 or tested with the swim director.

Why School Age Swim Lessons are Important at Any Age

Swimming is one of the most critical skills for school-age children to learn with professional lessons. So when you decide to enroll your child in swim lessons, you’re making a conscious decision to:

  • If your child falls into the water or a friend pushes them into the water at a party, and they don’t know how to swim, the result could be dangerous. Swim lessons increase your child’s safety, teaching them to survive in the water and have more confidence whenever they are around water.

  • Enrolling your children in swim lessons allows you to take your family to pool parties, the ocean, lakes – any body of water and feel better about their safety. In addition, swimming lessons can open the door to new opportunities to have fun that weren’t possible before your children learned how to swim.

Preparing for Lessons

  • Clothes, street shoes, diaper bags, and other personal items can be stored in the locker rooms; bring your own lock and leave your valuables at home.
  • Plan to arrive with enough time to change into swimming attire.
  • Come to class dressed and ready for the pool.
  • A family-appropriate and clean swimsuit is required for all class and lesson participants.
  • Swim diapers are required for children who are not yet pottytrained.
  • All pools are heated, but those who chill easily may benefit from a swim shirt or ear bands.
  • Goggles are permitted and preferred in the pool; masks and snorkels are not, unless otherwise noted.
  • Please bring a towel to class.
  • All class and lesson participants must shower with soap before entering the pool.
  • Participants should use the restroom before class; staff are not permitted to take students to the restroom.

  • If you or your child has a fear of water or has had a bad experience with water, arrive at your class or lesson early to inform the instructor. Please let the instructor know of any information you think will help your child succeed.

  • Parents of children age six and under must remain in the pool area with their children during lessons.

*The pool might be available to Y members before or after lessons for open swimming; check the pool schedule online for the most current information. If you aren’t sure which lesson is the best match for you or your child, contact Karla Toye at 513 932 1424 ext 243 or Karla.Toye@ ymcastaff.org to schedule a free skill level assessment. If you sign up for the wrong class there is a $5 charge to switch classes.

Still have questions?

Karla Toye’s got you covered: Karla.Toye@ymcastaff.org or via phone at 513 932 1424 ext 243.

The Young Men's Christian Association

When you join the Y, you’re not only joining an amazing organization that strengthens our community, but you’re also becoming part of a community of people dedicated to improving their health and well-being.

Contact us

Still have questions

1699 Deerfield Road, Lebanon, OH 45036
Email: karla.roberds@ymcastaff.org
Phone: 513-932-1424 ext 243

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