Why the YMCA?
The YMCA Swim Lesson Programs promote children’s health and safety. The programs support parents and encourage their participation in teaching kids valuable life skills. YMCA Swim Lessons teach positive values and give kids the opportunity to practice while promoting their growth in self-esteem and self-worth while they are having a great time.
Choosing the Correct Swimming Level
Children must meet the criteria listed to enter the appropriate swimming level. Placing children in the incorrect level will be a disservice to both the child and the class members. Children will receive their progress report one class before their last in order to register for the following session. Reports indicate the next class for which the children should enroll. Because children progress at different rates classes may need to be repeated several times before advancing. Further questions regarding placement assistance can be addressed by Robbie at
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or 814-355-5551.
Ages 6 months – 18 months: Parent/Child
Parent or a trusted adult must accompany the child into the water. No diapers please, but do use tight fitting rubber pants under the swimsuit or a swim diaper. Children must be able to lift their heads and have full head control in order to attend. This class focuses on water adjustment, parent education, fun and building strong family bonds!
Perch (19 months-3 years)
In this class children will swim with a trusted adult and gain confidence in the pool. Beginning swimming and water safety skills are introduced.
Perch Plus (2-4 years)
This class is for the 2-3 year old child that is comfortable in the swimming pool but not yet ready for preschool swim lessons or the 4 year old who is not ready to swim without a parent. Children will swim with both parent and instructor to gain further confidence.
Please note for the perch plus class that this level should only be used once as it is a intermediate class to get children more comfortable in the water.
Ages 3-5 Years
Children must be 3 years prior to enrolling in preschool lessons. Preschool classes are designed to build confidence and endurance, teach water safety, as well as water sports and games while allowing children to progress through the steps of learning how to swim. It is expected that a child will repeat a certain level multiple times until they are developmentally ready to move on. Parents are not in the water with child and are asked to remain outside the pool area to view lesson.
Pike: Beginner skills; no water experience.
Eel: Intermediate skills; must be willing to participate, comfortable in water an d able to swim 5 feet on front, back and side.
Pike/Eel combination class
This level would be for the swimmer that has a little more experience in the pool. Skills included would be adjusting to the water environment, paddling with assistance, by half way point kids should be comfortable paddling on their front, back and side.
Ray: Advanced skills; must be able to jump into deep water and swim 15 feet on front, back and side.
Starfish: Creative skills; must be able to swim 30 feet on front, back and side.
Robbie Cunningham
814-355-5551
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