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Swim Academy

Swim Academy Lessons

Ready to take the plunge, but not quite sure of your swimming skills? The Carol Stream Park District’s Swim Academy has a variety of swim lessons for all ages, starting at 6 months old through teens and adults. Swimmers are evaluated for swim level placement and lessons are conducted in either the 25-yard lap pool or therapy pool depending on swimmer level.

We're Hiring!

The Carol Stream Park District is looking for swim lesson instructors! Staff receive a full-access membership to Fountain View Fitness and Coral Cove Water Park.

Learn More and Apply!

Swim with Parent

Parent Tot (Ages 6 months – 3 years)

Parents/Guardians are in the water helping their little swimmers learn to enter/exit the water confidently. Instruction includes; supported front/back float blowing bubbles, putting face in the water, alternation of arms, assisted front/back kicks, front and back glide with kicks and water safety.

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Youth Swim Lessons

Our program consists of seven levels starting with introduction to water skills at Paddlers 1  and concludes with a strong understanding of all strokes at Level 6. Water safety skills also are taught and practiced.  Paddlers classes are 30 minutes long and youth classes are 45 minutes.  All swimmers receive a skill card noting progress and achievement at the end of the session.

Paddlers 1  (Ages 3-5)

Swimmers learn to enter/exit water with confidence. Instruction includes supported front/back floats, bubble blowing, putting face in water, alternation of arms, front/back kicks, back glide, back glide with kicks, water safety. Kick boards and noodles used as aides.

Paddlers 2  (Ages 3-5)

Swimmers learn to enter/exit water with confidence. Instruction includes unsupported front/back float, fully submerged face and head underwater, blowing bubbles, alternation of arms, front/back kick, back glide, back glide with kick, water safety. Kick boards and noodles used as aides.

Youth Level 1  (Ages 5 -12)

Swimmers learn to enter/exit water with confidence. Instruction includes unsupported front/back float, fully submerged face in water, blowing bubbles, alternation of arms, front crawl, front/back kick, front and backstroke and water safety. Kick boards and noodles used as aides. Lessons conducted in 3-4 feet of water.

Youth Level 2  (Ages 5 -12)

Swimmers continue to refine skills learned in Level 1 while learning new skills such as turnovers and object retrieval. Lessons conducted in 3-4 feet of water. Swimmers must pass deep water skill test to be advanced to Level 3.

Youth Level 3  (Ages 5 -12)

Swimmers refine skills learned in Levels 1 and 2 while incorporating rotary breathing techniques. Deep water skills, stroke techniques, endurance training and diving basics are introduced. Lessons are conducted in 4-12 feet of water.

Youth Level 4  (Ages 5 -12)

Swimmers learn advanced skill strokes such as breast stroke, elementary backstroke and open wall turns. Basic diving, retrieval of underwater objects, treading water and water safety is taught. Lessons conducted in 9-12 feet of water.

Youth Level 5  (Ages 5 -12)

Swimmers refine advanced strokes such as breast stroke, butterfly and learn flip-turns. Endurance is focused on strokes and treading water. Advanced water safety is taught. Lessons conducted in 9-12 feet of water.

Youth Level 6  (Ages 5 -12)

Refine all strokes so they can swim with more ease and power. To help prepare for advanced aquatic activities like competitive swimming.

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Adult Swim Lessons

We offer swim lessons for teens, age 13+, and adults.  It’s never too late to learn how to swim or perfect your skills!

Adult & Teen – Introduction to Swimming:

Become confident and comfortable in the water by learning breathing techniques and basic strokes such as freestyle and backstroke.

Adult/Teen Intermediate

Develop and refine basic swim strokes, including freestyle and backstroke.  Breaststroke is also introduced.  Improve breathing techniques, endurance, and the ability to tread water.  Completion of introduction to swimming or equivalent experience and ability to swim at least 25 yards of freestyle unassisted is required.  Swimmers must already be confident in the water.

Adult & Teen – Advanced Swimming:

Continue working on breathing techniques and refining freestyle and backstroke. Learn more advanced strokes such as breaststroke and butterfly. Introduction to swimming or equivalent is a prerequisite for Advanced swimming.

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Swim Academy FAQ

Registration

  • If your preferred class is full, register for the waitlist. Additional classes may be added 1-3 weeks prior to the session starting. Do not enroll in an alternate level or age group.
  • Participants cannot register for a specific instructor. Staffing assignments are not finalized until the start of the season.
  • Participants needing WDSRA inclusion support due to a disability must register at least two weeks in advance. Indicate the special need and inclusion request at the time of registration. If enrolling within two weeks, participation may be delayed until an aide can be secured by WDSRA.

Class Levels

  • Register based on age and skill level. Refer to the program description for skills by level. All skills should be mastered prior to advancing to a higher level.
  • Returning participants should refer to their progress report for the approved class. Swimmers often need to repeat a level to fully master all skills.
  • Swimmers will be evaluated during the first class and may be required to move up or down a level due to their skills and comfort in the water.
  • Siblings cannot be enrolled in the same class if they do not meet the age and skill requirements.

Class Procedures

  • Participants should arrive in their swimsuit prior to the class start time and wait in the pool hallway for the instructor to take them to the pool deck.
  • Swimmers should bring a towel. Goggles and swim caps are not required but both are permitted.
  • For children who are not fully potty-trained, a swim diaper AND waterproof, plastic diaper cover worn over the swim diaper are required.
  • Parents, guardians, and siblings are not permitted on the pool deck or bleachers and may not assist in the pool. Family members can watch from the hallway only. For parent-tot classes, only one parent/guardian may participate in the class.
  • Class sizes vary based on age and skill level.

Absences

  • The instructor and supervisor do not need to be notified of absences. Classes begin as scheduled regardless of all swimmers being present.
  • Make-ups, credits, and refunds are not offered due to absences of any sort, including illness and vacation.

Withdrawals

  • Refunds and credits are not offered after the second class.
  • If withdrawing prior to the second class, a prorated credit to the participant’s park district account for future weeks is available. If a pro-rated refund is preferred, a 10% service fee is applied. Previous dates, whether they were attended or not, are not credited or refunded.
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