GOALS

• To give children and adults from our community an opportunity to learn to swim.
• To provide a safe environment that allows effective progress through our Learn To Swim program.
• To make the learning process FUN!
• To provide well-trained instructors.
• To educate the community in water safety.
• To provide valuable classes and programs for the community.
• To develop new programs that meets the changing needs of our community.

WHAT LEVEL SHOULD I REGISTER MY CHILD FOR?

For a child new to swimming and the swimming environment, please register preschool students (age 3 through kindergarten) for Preschool Level A.  School-age students (1st grade through age 12) should be registered for School Age Level B.

If your child has not taken swimming lessons in the past three months, we recommend you register for the previous level taken, even if your child successfully completed that level in the last session.  Children, especially younger ones, lose their "swim conditioning" after long breaks and can benefit greatly from a review of learned skills.

To assist you in registering for the appropriate level, please refer to the American Red Cross (ARC) Learn To Swim swimming levels overview. If you have any questions or are coming from another program, please do not hesitate to ask our staff.

BABY & ME (6-18 months)

A fun introduction to the water for parent and child with singing, playing with water toys, and learning basic skills.

TODDLER & ME (18 months-3 years of age)

A fun introduction to the water for parent and child, expanding on the skills learned in Baby & Me. This is an ideal class to take before beginning the Preschool Learn To Swim progressions.

YOU AND YOUR PRESCHOOLER

Parents participate in teaching their child in the basic skills, lead by a certified Water Safety Instructor. This is an ideal class for the preschooler who is not ready for the class environment.

AMERICAN RED CROSS LEARN TO SWIM PROGRAM 
LEVEL A (PRESCHOOL ONLY):
An entry level class for non-swimmers. Children learn to be comfortable in the water, get their face wet, hold their breath and experiment with basic buoyancy positions on their front and back.

LEVEL B:
An entry level class for children already comfortable in the water. They will learn to hold their breath, float and glide on their front and back unassisted.

LEVEL C:
Students will learn Front and Backstroke skills, becoming more relaxed as they swim unassisted.

LEVEL D:
Students will further refine their Front Crawlstroke skills by adding rotary (side) breathing and improving Backcrawl.

LEVEL E:
Further refinement of Front and Backcrawl. Students will be introduced to Elementary Backstroke and Butterfly.

LEVEL F:
Students will be introduced to Breastroke and Diving. Further refinement on Front Crawl, Back Crawl, Elementary Backstroke and Butterfly.

LEVEL G:
Students will be introduced to Sidestroke in this level. Further refinement on Front Crawl, Back Crawl, Elementary Backstroke, Butterfly and Breaststroke.

LEVEL H:
Students will focus on stroke proficiency and increased endurance. Survival skills and flip turns are introduced.


ADVANCED SWIMMING SKILLS:
Once your child completes Level H there are additional classes available to continue to challenge their swimming skills.

FITNESS SWIMMER:
Designed to focus on building endurance and learning the basic fundamentals of a fitness swimming workout.

FUNDAMENTALS OF DIVING:
Designed to focus on the fundamental progressions of springboard diving.

LIFEGUARD READINESS:
Focuses on the skills needed to prepare to take the Lifeguard Training course.

PERSONAL WATER SAFETY:
Focuses on endurance swimming and survival skills.

INSTRUCTOR/STUDENT RATIOS
Classes are designed to have one instructor per five preschool students and one instructor per six school-age students.

Specialty classes may have different instructor/student rations. Occasionally, your child may work with two instructors in the same class. This occurs as part of our instructor training program. While providing assistance, the new instructor gains valuable experience working alongside an experienced instructor.

AGE DEFINITIONS
Preschool: Ages 3-6 and toilet trained
School Age: Ages 6 years and up (and has started first grade)
Teen/Adult: Ages 13 and up

PREPARING YOUR CHILD FOR SWIMMING LESSONS
We want the instruction program to be a positive, safe and fun experience for you and your child. It is our hope that your first experience makes a positive impression and swimming will become a lifelong recreational activity for your entire family. The following are some suggestions we feel will help create a more positive swimming experience:

• It is not uncommon for new surroundings to be a little frightening. Frequently, there are other activities taking place during lessons which, combined with the new surroundings, may intimidate the child. To reduce a child’s anxiety, give your child a tour of the dressing rooms, shower area and even show him/her the spectator section where you will be sitting during lessons.
• Please pull long hair back or have your child wear a swim cap. Hair in your child’s eyes and mouth makes it difficult to swim.
• Please take your child to the restroom prior to each class. If your preschool age child needs to go to the restroom during class, please be prepared to take them.
• Please remove all bandages and throw away gum prior to class. If your child is sick or has an open sore/wound, it may be best not to attend class.
• All persons must shower prior to entering the pool.. If you need to assist your child in the shower, please remove your shoes.
• Please notify your child’s instructor of any special circumstances that may affect your child’s progress.
• Parents are encouraged to watch their child’s class from the spectator section. Spectators are not permitted on the pool deck. Also, please enter the deck through the dressing rooms only. Some pools have specific deck entrances for staff or emergency use only.
• Parents must be aware of factors which cause a fearful situation as well as those that promote a positive attitude. Watch out for the use of fright words with your child.  DROWN is the most common fright word.  A non-swimming child who has been taught a fear of drowning is usually also afraid of the water. This is a big hurdle for the child to overcome. It is important to educate potential dangers without instilling fear.
• Please keep in mind that each child progresses at his or her own pace. Don’t expect miracles. In swimming lessons, we de-emphasize passing or failing and emphasize improvement. Each child will receive a progress card at the end of the session, to let you know what your child has accomplished within the progression and what skills to practice. It is not uncommon for a child to repeat a level several times before moving on to the next level. It is important that your child is improving and having FUN!  Remember to be positive!
• Please be on time to class. A child who is rushed often comes to class upset. It is also less disruptive to the instructor and the other students if everyone starts at the same time. 

Please be aware of some basic pool rules designed to make lessons fun and safe.
~ No running on the pool deck or in the dressing rooms.
~ State law requires a shower before entering the pool.
~ Please do not allow your child to swing on the bars in the dressing room.
~ Food is allowed in the spectator section only. No gum chewing in class. 
~ No running on the pool deck or in the dressing rooms. 
~ State law requires a shower before entering the pool. 
~ Please do not allow your child to swing on the bars in the dressing room. 
~ Food is allowed in the spectator section only. No gum chewing in class. 

IMPORTANT REMINDER
A parent, guardian, or caregiver of at least 15 years of age must visually supervise children under 10 years of age. In reference to this rule, please do not leave the center during your child’s lesson.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

1. Why is class time wasted on safety skills?
Safety is never a waste of time. The American Red Cross Learn To Swim program tries to incorporate the safety tips into the daily lessons. Most “safety days” are kept to a minimum. Some “safety tips” may be longer depending upon the pool conditions (i.e. cold water due to an upcoming special event). Children often learn through repetition.

2. What is the water temperature of the pool?
Water temperatures above 82 degrees are conducive to swimming lessons. THPRD swim centers are maintained at the following approximate temperatures:
Aloha Swim Center:  85 degrees
Aquatic Center:  83-84 degrees
Beaverton Swim Center:  86 degrees
Conestoga Recreation & Aquatic Center:  Main Pool - 84 degrees, Leisure Pool - 88 degrees
Harman Swim Center:  87-88 degrees
Sunset Swim Center:  85 degrees
Raleigh Swim Center (outdoor):  84 degrees
Somerset Swim Center (outdoor):  84 degrees

3. Should my child wear goggles?
Goggles are allowed as long as they do not interfere with the class. However, we discourage goggles at the beginning levels so the children can learn to explore. A child who relies on goggles may be reluctant to swim the day if they are forgetten.

4. I like my child’s instructor. May I request the same instructor next time?
Instructors are scheduled based on the classes offered and the demand. It is not always possible to have the same instructor. Children often benefit by experiencing a variety of teaching styles.

5. How long will it take my child to pass the levels?
Children vary when it comes to learning the skills in each level and gain confidence in their abilities, rather than how quickly they progress through the levels. We want this to be a pleasant experience and allow children to learn without being pressured.

6. What if I have a question for my child’s instructor?
It is best to leave a message for the instructor at the front desk. Please be aware the instructors often go from one duty to the next with only a few minutes in between. The instructors will be happy to discuss your child’s progress. Please do not wait to voice your concern until the end of the session.

7. What if I signed up for the wrong level?
All children are skill tested on the first day of class. If a situation arises where the child is not in the appropriate level for their skill ability, every effort will be made to place that child in an appropriate level, based on availability. If an appropriate level class is unavailable at the same time, we will offer to transfer your child to the class time where there is an available opening.

8. Why are some levels combined?
In the event that some classes do not fill, we will combine compatible levels in order to prevent the cancellation of classes. If your child is in a combined class, the instructors continue to work each child at his or her own level/pace.

9. How do I know if my child is being taught at the appropriate level?
If you have any questions as to your child’s progress, please contact the instructor, who will be happy to discuss your child’s progress with you.

10. What if my child is new to lessons and cries?
It is not unusual to become nervous with new situations and the separation from their parent. The instructors are very understanding and experienced in dealing with the fearful child. It is best to allow the instructor to work through the fear and build trust between student and instructor. The child will often relax and have fun during the lesson, but keep in mind this could take a couple of days in extreme cases. We just ask you to continue to be positive and supportive of the instructor’s efforts.

11. What if my child becomes ill during the session?
If your child is not feeling well, please do not bring him/her to swimming lessons.He/she will not be able to perform skills and there is risk of exposing other children and the instructor to the illness. Please notify the instructor of your child's illness prior to class.  If your child is ill or injured for an extended period of time, we will credit you the unused portion of your class when the request is accompanied with a doctor’s note.

12. What if my child gets “stuck” in a certain level and does not seem to be making any progress?
Plateaus are not uncommon while a child is learning to swim. Many times the skills a child is struggling with are usually the skills that take endurance or coordination of multiple skills. We make every attempt to provide a variety of drills to help the child attain these skills, but it just takes time and patience. To prevent your child from becoming frustrated, please remain positive. We also recommend that families come to the pool for open swim for playtime. This reinforces the positive aspects of swimming that helps the child relax, which will make learning the skills easier during lessons. Also keep in mind that the children need additional practice outside of lessons. Open swims would give the child that opportunity.

Instructor/Parent Relationship
Please keep in mind the instructor is only with your child for a short amount of time. We need your assistance with their lesson performance. The same holds true for effective discipline. If there is a method that works effectively for you with your child, and the instructor is not having success, they would welcome your input. 

If you have questions or concerns, please leave your name and phone number at the front desk and the instructor will notify you immediately following their lesson shift. In the event the instructor cannot resolve your problem, please notify the center supervisor of the facility.

Parent Evaluations
We value your input and we do listen. At the end of each session, evaluation forms are available for you to complete. We want to know how your experience throughout the session was for you and your child. These evaluation forms are used to help us gauge the effectiveness of our program.

Refund Policy

• Full refunds are given when the Park District cancels a class.
• Refunds will be given to requests made at least 24 hours before the first class. A processing fee of $4 will be deducted. The refunds are mailed to you or credited to your credit card. Please allow 4 weeks for processing.
• No refunds will be given with less than 24 hours notice without a doctor’s excuse.

Class Transfer Procedure
Requests for transfers will be accommodated only if the request is made at least 24 hours prior to the first class. Transfers are based on availability.