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.
Click here to proceed to registration page to view a current schedule.
At the State College Branch, Swim lessons run two sessions within each series to allow equal opportunity for registration and for appropriate level registration after the child's completion of a previous series' class level.
Ages 6 months – 36 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!
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 and able to swim 5 feet on 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.
Ages 6 to 13 years
Children must be 6 years of age prior to enrolling in the youth levels. Youth lessons will provide beginner water adjustment through advanced stroke development accompanied by skills in water safety, personal safety and an appreciation of water sports and games.
Polliwog: Beginners; no previous experience needed.
Guppy: Advanced beginner; must be able to swim 20 feet on front, back and side.
Minnow: Intermediate; must be able to swim 25 yards on front back and side.
Fish: Intermediate-advanced; must be able to swim 25 yards of rudimentary front and back crawl, breaststroke, sidestroke and elementary backstroke.
Flying Fish: Advanced; must be able to swim 50 yards of strokes in fish plus 25 yards of rudimentary butterfly.
Adult/Teen Beginner, Ages 14 & up
It's never to late to learn water safety or improve your stroke. No water experience is necessary.
Adult/Teen Advanced, Ages 14 & up
Stroke development; members should be comfortable in deep water and have a basic knowledge of several strokes. Class is held in the recreation pool.
Adaptive Lessons for All Ages
Swim Lessons are available to anyone with special needs in our therapy pool. Instructor to student ration is low. A water wheelchair and ramp into the pool are available. The Friday evening classes are one-to-one instructor/client and the Saturday class is one-to-three instructor/client. We recommend the Saturday class for those who are capable of working in a small group.
Private Swim Lessons
Need specialized instruction to meet your swimming goals? Private lessons for all ages and abilities can be arranged. Please complete a Private Swim Lesson Request Form and return it to your closest YMCA Branch.
Jamie Sanfilippo
814-237-7717
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Prepare your child for a fun filled summer of water activities! These ONE WEEK highly progressive programs are designed to teach children the fundamental skills of safe swimming. This fast paced but loving camp will develop your child into a more confident and safe swimmer. Each week is a separate session, sign up for as many as you’d like! Spaces are limited. Registration Dates: Members: April 16th Non-members: April 23rd.