For swimmers ages 6 months-3 years, must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

(Formally known as Shrimp)

Stage A- Water Discovery: Introduces infants and toddlers to the aquatic environment.

The goals for this stage include introducing and emphasizing basic water safety to parents and providing a positive family aquatic experience.

Stage B – Water Exploration: For swimmers ages 1-3 years, must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

(Formally known as Kipper)

This is the second half of our parent tot class and the child should be comfortable putting their face in the water, willing to jump into the pool with the parent/guardian catching them.

Focuses on exploring body positions, blowing bubbles, and fundamental safety and aquatic skills. The goals for this stage include encouraging parents to set developmentally appropriate expectations for infants and toddlers.

*Instructor approval is required. If you feel that your child should be in the class please contact us for placement.

Stage 1 Water Acclimation (little to no experience needed)

For Swimmers ages 3- 5 years, recommended skills for all to have around the water.

Stage 1   Water Acclimation: Students are introduced to the pool, develop safe water habits, become comfortable with underwater exploration, and learn to safely exit a body of water. Students focus on body position and control, forward movement, directional change, and basic self-rescue skills.

Stage 2 Water Movement 

For Swimmers ages 3- 5 years, recommended skills for all to have around the water.

In stage 2 Water Movement: students focus on body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water while also continuing to practice how to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water. Students in this class can submerge (head under the water) and bob independently , and front glide to the wall 5 feet.

Stage 3 – Water Stamina:  For Swimmers ages 3-5 years, recommended skills for all to have around the water.

Students need to be comfortable in the water and swim 5 yards independently. Students learn basic stroke techniques, integrating arm action, leg action, and rhythmic breathing in back and front glides developing forward movement on the front and back.

*Instructor invite required, if you feel your child meets this criteria please contact aquatics staff to help with registration.

For Swimmers ages 6-12 years, recommended skills for all to have around the water. (little to no experience needed)

Stage 1 Water Acclimation: Students are introduced to the pool, develop safe water habits, become comfortable with underwater exploration, and learn to safely exit a body of water. Students focus on body position and control, forward movement, directional change, and basic self-rescue skills.

Stage 2 Water Movement 

For Swimmers ages 6- 12 years, recommended skills for all to have around the water.

Stage 2 Water Movement: Students focus on body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water while also continuing to practice how to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water. Students in this class can submerge (head under the water) and bob independently , and front glide to the wall 10 feet.

Stage 3 – Water Stamina: Students need to be comfortable in the water and swim 5 yards independently. Students learn basic stroke techniques, integrating arm action, leg action, and rhythmic breathing in back and front glides developing forward movement on the front and back.

For Swimmers ages 6-12 years, recommended skills for all to have around the water.

Stage 4 – Stroke Introduction: For Swimmers ages 6-12, for stroke advancement.

For swimmers who can comfortably swim  20 yards independently. Students build endurance, refine rotary breathing, practice safety techniques, develop the basic front crawl and backcrawl strokes and are introduced to components of the breaststroke and butterfly strokes.

Stage 5 – Stroke Development: For Swimmers ages 6-18, for stroke advancement

(Formally known as Swim Club Beginner)

Students in this stage work on stroke technique and learn all major competitive strokes. The emphasis on water safety continues through treading water and sidestroke. Students develop stamina in the basic front crawl and backcrawl strokes, learn the breast and butterfly strokes. Deep water safety is also reinforced. Students should be able to swim 50 yards continuously with rotary breathing.

SCHOLARSHIPS – If you are needing a scholarship to help with the cost of the program, we have a few options that you can consider. All scholarship amounts will be applied to future weeks of programming, no scholarships will be back dated. If you are registering on or after the payment due date you will be charged and required to pay for the full cost of the program.

• Oregon Community Foundation Scholarship – All families that fill out the Oregon Community Foundation Scholarship Application and return it to the YMCA billing office at [email protected], may receive a scholarship of up to 25%, once approved.
• Current Jackson Care Connect Families – All JCC families can submit their proof of insurance card to the YMCA billing office at [email protected], if currently enrolled in a JCC Health Plan you can receive a scholarship of 35%.
• Food Stamps (SNAP) or Free Lunch Award Letter – If your child receives food stamps or free lunch and you submit an award letter to the YMCA billing office at [email protected], you will receive a scholarship of 55%. To get your SNAP award letter visit: https://govstatus.egov.com/or-dhs-benefits. To get your Free Lunch letter please visit: https://www.ode.state.or.us/apps/frlapp.
• Housing Authority of Jackson County (HAJC) Complex Resident – If you currently live in a participating HAJC Complex you can get an award letter and submit it to the YMCA billing office at [email protected], you will receive a scholarship of 75%. To get your award letter contact Sandra at HAJC at [email protected].
• Additional Support Scholarship – amounts will vary by family. If the above scholarship programs do not provide enough assistance for your family please complete a Youth Programs Scholarship Application and return it to the YMCA billing office at [email protected]. You will be required to apply for Food Stamps and then an award or denial letter is needed plus you must provide proof of income before an award is made.

Stage 6 – Stroke Mechanics: For Swimmers ages 6-18, for stroke advancement

Lessons are 25 minutes twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

(Formally know as Swim Club Advanced)

Students refine stroke technique on all major competitive strokes, learn about competitive swimming, and discover how to incorporate swimming into a healthy lifestyle. Students in this stage focus on developing endurance in the competitive strokes. They develop skills related to competitive swimming like flip turns & enhance techniques. Deep water safety is also reinforced. Students should be able to swim 100 yards continuously with rotary breathing.

Teen and Adult Lessons. Classes tailored to the skill level of the individual, whether you are learning to swim for the first time or wanting to work on stroke refinement or something specific this class will fit for you.

Lessons are 25 minutes twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays.