Our offered classes and the progression of classes is based off of skill level, not age. While there are 'typical' age ranges of kids in certain classes, we also recognize the varying abilities and skills of all our kids. Please read the descriptions and prerequisites of the classes to best place your child. Should you have any questions regarding placement, please contact Community Education @ 218-208-0852 

Babes & Tots 

The goals of these classes: we start out nice and slow with fun activities like little bucket showers, blowing bubbles, playing splash ball, etc. The goal of this class is to have the kids comfortably submerging themselves. Skills Taught: Windshield Wipers (wiping water off face with hands), Blowing Bubbles, Splashy Kicks, Submerging

--Babes & Tots  (6 months - 3 years old)--

Prerequisite: None.

Parent & Me Class

30 minute class

►Parents and children are introduced to the fundamentals of water safety and water discovery in a fun, stimulating environment. This class will help equip parents with information on how to safely submerge and properly hold babies in the water. Children must have a swim diaper.

Preschool

Our preschool classes focus on how to safely enjoy the water while gaining comfort and confidence. These classes are divided into three levels that include safety, independence, and development. Skills Taught: Gliding, Splashy Kicks, Floating on Back, Jump in from side of pool, Big Arms, “Sea Otter Roll”, Monkey/Airplane/Soldier(elementary backstroke). Typically for kids ages 3 - 7.

--Pre 1 --

Prerequisite: None

30 minute class

►Children will learn water safety and how to develop comfort with submersion, learn proper breath control, and front and back float with assistance. This class is designed for the first-time swimmers and for children who are not yet confident in being in the water alone. If children are not fully potty trained, a swim diaper needs to be worn.

--Pre 2  --

Prerequisite: Children should be able to fully submerge their face in the water, eyes and everything.

30 minute class

►Children will further focus on gaining confidence and independence in the water by concentrating on control and movement in the water. We will begin teaching them the basics of movement through the water. Participants will continue to practice water safety. This class is best suited for participants who need guided practice and are not yet able to independently swim on their own or stay afloat. If children are not fully potty trained, a swim diaper needs to be worn.

--Pre 3  --

Prerequisite: Child should be able to do Freestyle (“Big Arms & Splashy Kicks” with face in the water at least 2 feet thru water they cannot touch the bottom in.

30 minute class

►Children are introduced to arm/leg action, rhythmic breathing, and will swim further distances up to 10 yards, both with assistance and independently. This class is best suited for participants who are unable to swim longer distances independently. If children are not fully potty trained, a swim diaper needs to be worn.

--Pre 4 --

Prerequisite: Child should be able to do Freestyle (“Big Arms & Splashy Kicks” with face in the water at least 2 feet thru water they cannot touch the bottom in. 

30 minute class

► This class is a combination of Pre III and Youth I. Students will work on their skills from Pre III, but without flotation devices. As students progress, they will begin to work on Youth I skills as well. This class is unassisted from any flotation device. If children are not fully potty trained, a swim diaper needs to be worn.

Youth (Typically ages 6+) 

The youth swim program is divided into six swim levels for children to advance and master skills at their own pace before advancing to the next level. Each level includes training in basic water safety, helping others in an emergency, and most importantly stroke development.

--Youth 1 --

Prerequisite: Children should be able to do Freestyle a few feet with their face in the water and be able to roll over onto their back and float when they need air.

30 minute class

► At this level swimmers are finally crossing the distance of our pool using their big arms and sea otter rolls. We will introduce some backstroke to help the kids get more comfortable on their back. The goal of this class is to get them comfortably swimming the length of the pool unassisted.

--Youth 2 --

Prerequisite: Children should be very comfortable in water when they cannot touch the bottom. Children should have also been introduced to Freestyle with the arms and the kicks.

30 minute class

►At this level we teach the kids how to turn their head to the side and get a breath, side breathing. The goal of this class is to get the kids to swim at least 1 lap using freestyle with side breathing with no help from the teacher. Participants are introduced to alternating and simultaneous arm/leg action, rhythmic breathing, and swimming further distances up to 1 lap with assistance and independently. They will continue to practice water safety and further learn about the aquatic environment.