Download our infographic guide to choosing the right swim lesson class.
Parent/Child Level 1
The goal of the Parent/Child Level 1 class is to provide the parent with bonding time with their child in a fun, enjoyable atmosphere. Skills covered in this course include exploring buoyancy on the front and back, and introduction to submerging the mouth, nose, and eyes. Participants will spend the first 15 minutes of each class in the little pool and then move to the big pool for the remainder of the class. This class will meet Monday -Thursday with Friday as a make-up should the Park District cancel class due to weather.
Ages 1-3 Min. 4/Max. 6
Private Swim Lessons
The Ottawa Street Pool offers private swimming lessons (1:1 student to instructor ratio) for guests of all ages. Private swim lessons are one-week sessions that meet Monday through Thursday with Friday as a make-up date. Friday is reserved as a make-up day only if the Park District cancels throughout the session. The Park District cannot accommodate schedule conflicts.
Ages 1 & Up
Preschool Level 1
This level encourages young swimmers to be comfortable in and around the water. Games and songs are used in teach supported floating, kicking, front arm movements and various water safety skills. Participants will spend 15 minutes in the little pool and the second half of the class will be spent in the big pool. BB
Ages 3-5 Min. 2/Max. 6
Preschool Level 2
In this level participants will have class in the big pool. They will work on basic aquatic skills (i.e. breath control, submerging, supported and unsupported floats). With assisted instruction and encouraged independence, participants will begin to develop fundamentals for front and back crawl. Basic water safety skills are also covered. BB
Ages 3-5 Min. 2/Max. 6
Preschool Level 3
Participants must have successfully completed preschool level 2 before registering. At this level they will continue to build on their skills from previous levels. They will learn unsupported floating and kicking as well as front crawl and beginning back crawl movements. Basic water safety skills will be covered. All skills will be performed independently. BB
Ages 3-5 Min. 2/Max. 6
Level 1: Introduction to Water Skills
In this level children will work on under water, opening eyes underwater, bobbing, supported and unsupported floating and kicking, glides, and beginning arm movements. Children will also work on swimming on their front with assistance for two body lengths. Basic water safety skills are also covered. BB
Ages 6-12 Min. 3/Max. 8
Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills
In this level children will learn unsupported floating and kicking, front crawl movements and beginning back crawl movements, while also learning basic water safety skills. BB
Ages 6-12 Min. 3/Max. 8
Level 3: Stroke Development
This level focuses on improving front crawl, back crawl and learning elementary backstroke. They will build up to swimming 15 yards of front crawl with proper breathing technique and treading water for 30 seconds independently. Scissors kick, butterfly kick, and headfirst entries into water are introduced at this level also. BB
Ages 6-12 Min. 3/Max. 8
Level 4: Stroke Improvement
Breaststroke and butterfly are introduced at this level. Front and back crawl as well as elementary backstroke are perfected. BB
Ages 8-15 Min. 3/Max. 8
Teen Beginner
It’s never too late to learn how to swim and become more comfortable in the water! Classes are designed for teens ages 11-15 wanting to learn basic swim skills and progress into learning swim strokes.
Ages 11-15 Min. 2/Max. 5
