Summer 2024
Registration Opens February 23, 2024
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 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. Class meets Monday -Thursday with Friday as a make-up should the Park District cancel the 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 does not accommodate schedule conflicts.
Ages 1+
Preschool Level 1
This level encourages young swimmers to be comfortable in and around the water. Games and songs are used in teaching supported floating, kicking, front arm movements, and various water safety skills. Participants spend 15 minutes in the little pool and the second half of the class in the big pool.
Ages 3-5 | Min. 2/Max. 6
Preschool Level 2
In this level, participants have class in the big pool, working on basic aquatic skills (breath control, submerging, supported and unsupported floats). With assisted instruction and encouraged independence, participants begin to develop fundamentals for front and back crawl. Basic water safety skills are also covered.
Ages 3-5 | Min. 2/Max. 6
Preschool Level 3
Participants must have successfully completed preschool level 2 before registering. At this level, they continue to build on their skills from previous levels. Participants learn unsupported floating and kicking as well as front crawl and beginning back crawl movements. Basic water safety skills are covered. All skills will be performed independently.
Ages 3-5 | Min. 2/Max. 6
Level 1: Introduction To Water Skills
In this level children work on opening eyes underwater, bobbing, supported and unsupported floating and kicking, glides, and beginning arm movements. Children also work on swimming on their front with assistance for two body lengths. Basic water safety skills are also covered.
Ages 6-12 | Min. 3/Max. 8
Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills
In this level children learn unsupported floating and kicking, front crawl movements and beginning back crawl movements, while also learning basic water safety skills.
Ages 6-12 | Min. 3/Max. 8
Level 3: Stroke Development
This level focuses on improving front crawl, back crawl and learning elementary backstroke. Participants 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.
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.
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
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 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. Class meets Monday-Thursday with Friday as a make-up should the class be canceled due to weather.
Session Dates
- June 3-6
- July 17-20
- July 1-5 (M-W & F) No class July 4
- July 15-18
- July 29 – August 1
Offered Times
- Morning: 11-11:30am
- Evening: 5:40-6:10pm
Time blocks listed may not be offered for every level. Please see our registration site for actual swim lesson availability for each level.
Session Dates
- June 3-6
- June 10-20
- June 24-July 5 (No class July 4)
- July 8-18
- July 22-August 1/2
- Aug 5-8
Lesson Levels
- Preschool Level 1
- Preschool Level 2
- Preschool Level 3
- Level 1 Swim Lessons
- Level 2 Swim Lessons
- Level 3 Stroke Development
- Level 4 Stroke Improvement
Offered Times
- 9:00-9:30AM
- 9:40-10:10AM
- 10:20-10:50AM
- 11:00-11:30AM
- 5:00-5:30PM
- 5:40-6:10PM
- 6:20-6:50PM
Please see our registration site for actual swim lesson availability.
Session Dates
- June 24 – July 5 – No classes July 4
- July 22 – August 1/2
Offered Times
- Morning: 9-9:30AM
- Evening: 6:20-6:50PM
Please see our registration site for actual swim lesson availability.
Session Dates
- July 10-20
- July 8-18
Offered Times
- Morning: 9-9:30AM
- Evening: 6:20-6:50PM
Please see our registration site for actual swim lesson availability.
Session Dates
- June 3-6
- June 10-13
- June 17-20
- June 24-27
- July 1-5 (No class July 4)
- July 8-11
- July 15-18
- July 22-25
- July 29 – August 1/2
- August 5-8
Offered Times
- 9:00-9:30AM
- 9:40-10:10AM
- 10:20-10:50AM
- 11:00-11:30AM
- 5:00-5:30PM
- 5:40-6:10PM
- 6:20-6:50PM
FAQs
Want to know more about our safety procedures and the steps Park District Staff is taking to ensure your safety this summer?
Read our FAQ Page!
Ottawa Street Pool Info Hotline
Text “OSP” to (833) 222-3024 to join the Ottawa Street Pool Info Hotline to get up-to-the-minute news and notifications. The number is toll free and you can opt out anytime by texting “STOP.”