Children’s Swim Lessons

These descriptions are guidelines and the level for which you may sign up is based on the results of a swim test given to the prospective student by the Aquatics Department. To schedule a swim test call 630-552-4100 x237

For more information on program days times and fees, please refer to the YMCA brochure

Parent/Child Classes

SKI-Baby
Ages: 6 months- 2 years
Adult participation is required with these young infants and toddlers. The program helps parents form reasonable and healthy exceptions of their child’s progress through songs, games and fun activities.

Perch
Ages: 2-3 years
A class for the in-between child who is not quite ready to swim alone with the instructor. An adult will need to be in the water with the child each class.

For more information on class days times and fees, please refer to YMCA brochure

 

Preschool Classes

Ages: 3-5 years
The children are taught the basic skills that are the building blocks of swimming. They also learn about pool safety, boating safety, and the use of personal flotation devises. Class size is such that the instructor can provide children with individual attention.

Pike
Designed for new swimmers, teaching basic paddle stroke and kicking skills, pool safety, and proper use of instructional flotation devices and personal flotation devices, and comfort holding the face in the water while blowing bubbles and swimming

Eel
This level is for children who are comfortable in the water. They are taught to kick, dive, float, and perform the progressive paddle stroke. Children can swim across the pool without assistance by the end of this level.

Ray
At this level children review previous skills, improve stroke skills, learn more personal safety and rescue skills, build endurance by swimming in their front and back, and learn to tread water and perform more progressive diving skills. Children can swim across the pool on their front and back without assistance by the end of this level.

Starfish
In addition to refining strokes, children will focus on personal safety, rescue, under water, and floating skills.

For more information on class days times and fees, please refer to YMCA brochure

 

Youth Swim Classes

Ages 6 years and up.
This program comprises five main components: personal growth, personal safety, and stroke development, water sports and games, and rescue. Each skill level builds upon the preceding level with several levels covering all the strokes, diving fundamentals, and safety skills.

Polliwog
Children become acquainted with the pool, the use of flotation devices, and floating. By the end of this level, they should know the front paddle stroke, side and back paddle, and swim 10-15 yards without assistance.

Guppy
Introduction to lead up strokes to the front and back crawl, sidestroke, breaststroke and elementary backstroke. Children can swim 25 yards without assistance at the end of this level.

Minnow
Children further refine the lead-up strokes they have learned as their skills become more like those normally used in swimming. Attention is also focused on diving skills, personal safety, boating and rescue.

Fish
Turns are introduced with the front crawl, back crawl, elementary backstroke, and sidestroke. Butterfly stroke is added and use of mask and fins.

Flying Fish
Students work on reefing strokes and increasing their endurance. They will be introduced to the use of a snorkel and learn more about boating safety, personal safety, and rescue procedures.

For more information on class days times and fees, please refer to YMCA brochure

Private Swim Lessons

Class is constructed around the abilities and taken at a pace that works for the swimmer. Class times are set up between the instructor and the swimmer and can change/adjust whenever needed. If you have questions contact the Aquatics Department at 630-552-400 x237. Private lesson request forms are available at the front desk.

AquaForce Swim Team

AquaForce Swim Team is a competitive Youth Swim Program for YMCA members ages 5-21. Builds strength and endurance. Provides a base for good health habits through training and competition.
Wholesome, recreational and FUN! Involves the entire family, giving parents and the children a chance to grown together.Emphasizes Honesty, Responsibility, Caring and Respect. Regulations for Swim Team, all participants of the AquaForce must be members of the Fox Valley Family YMCA. Swimmer must provide their own practice suits, goggles, fins, towels, and caps. Team suits are required for competition and can be purchased through the swim team. Parent volunteers are essential in making each meet run successfully.
Swim Team Levels

Swimmers compete based on age.
Discovery/White This is the entry group for the swim team program. The main emphasis of this group is to learn the four competitive strokes, while having fun. This level is structured to build the individual self-esteem and the ability to recognize their achievements. (Practices will be mostly instructional)
Imagination Swimmers/Purple In this group will work at a faster pace. They will continue to concentrate on mastering the four competitive strokes and begin to build endurance.
Challenge/Silver This level will continue working on stroke technique, turns, starts, and racing strategies. Increasing and challenging their endurance will be a focus. This level is directed towards team building, self improvement and developing a friendly competitive spirit.
High Performance/Platinum This level continues to work on Silver level ideas but encourages swimmers to achieve their maximum swimming potential. Endurance, technique and strength will be the main focus.
Practices
Practices are offered Monday-Friday. Dry land training precedes pool training every day. We recommend that swimmers plan to attend practice at least three days a week for White and Purple levels and five days a week for Silver and Platinum levels. Fridays all levels practice together to work on team building and race strategies.

For further information on the AquaForce Swim Team, please contact the Aquatics Department at 630-552-4100 x23