Accessibility Info
Full Learn to Swim Registration Information
About Learn to Swim
The Learn to Swim program offers free swim lessons for toddlers (1½-5), children (6-17), and adults (18+) of all ages at our indoor pools. Parks offers two 10-week sessions and one 9-week session of swim instruction during the indoor pool season.
Return to the registration page.
Classes
Classes will be held in three sessions, during fall, winter, and spring. There are Afterschool classes for children held during the week, and classes for all age groups held on Saturdays.
- Fall Session – Classes are scheduled from the week of October 24, 2011 to the week of January 14, 2012.
- Winter Session – Classes are scheduled from the week of January 30, 2012 to the week of April 7, 2012.
- Spring Session – Classes are scheduled from the week of April 28, 2012 to the week of June 23, 2012.
Types of Classes
- Afterschool classes are held from 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. for children ages 6-17.
- Saturday classes are offered for all ages (toddlers, children and adults) and class times vary by site and age group.
- For toddler classes(ages 1½-5): A parent or guardian must accompany your child in the water for all class sessions. Your toddler must be 1½ years of age on the first day of class. You must bring a copy of your child’s birth certificate on the first day of class to verify your child’s age. This class teaches your child to be familiar with the water, become comfortable with a front or back position, and be able to control their breath by blowing bubbles or submerging under water.
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For child classes (ages 6-17): Your child must be 6 by the first day of class. You must bring a copy of your child’s birth certificate to the water test to verify your child’s age. The water test will be held on Saturday, January 28 at noon (at Wagner it will held from 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. on January 28). All children 6-17 must be water tested; the water test will determine whether your child belongs in Level I or Level II.
- Children in Level I classes will learn how to safely get into and leave the water, how to control their breath by blowing bubbles, how to float and kick on front and back and move through the water. Children will also learn how to stay safe around the water, and what to do in case of an emergency.
- Children in Level II classes will learn how to move their arms and legs together in a swimming motion and learn how to swim without assistance. Children will also learn to understand dangerous water conditions, and how to assist a swimmer in a water emergency.
- For adults (ages 18+): You do not have to bring a birth certificate and you do not have to be water tested.
How to Register
Registration for the spring session begins at noon, on Friday, April 13, 2012 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, April 18, 2012. The registration will be conducted by an online lottery.
Registering Online
- The online application asks for basic contact information about each participant (e.g., name, address, telephone number, email address, date of birth). Your information is secure.
- You must have a valid email address to register.
- You cannot enter the lottery more than once per Session. Doing so will not increase your chances to win. It will automatically disqualify your child from the lottery.
- Parents should submit an application for each child, but more than one application for the same child disqualifies that child from the lottery. Please enter siblings separately. This allows all children to have an equal chance in the lottery.
- For children's learn to swim classes, once you pick your location, you will be able to rank Saturday or Afterschool classes in the order of your preference.
Eligibility
Your child must be the right age to attend the class. Eligibility for both the children and tots program is determined by the age of the participant on the first day of class. Your child must be between 6 and 17 years old on the day of the first class to participate in the children’s program. If your child is younger than 6, you should sign your child up for the tot program.
Online Registration Assistance
If you need assistance using a computer, Aquatic Specialists staff will be available to help you enter the lottery at each indoor pool during the following times:
- Metropolitan, St. John’s, St. Mary’s, Asser Levy, Hansborough: Saturday, April 14 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Monday and Wednesday, April 16 and April 18 from 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- Brownsville, Roy Wilkins: Saturday, April 14 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.and Tuesday, April 17 from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m..
- Chelsea: Saturday, April 14 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Monday and Wednesday, April 16 and April 18 from3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m..
- Tony Dapolito, Recreation Center 54: Saturday, April 14 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., 3:30p.m. to 5:00p.m. on Mon., Apr. 16 and Wed., Apr. 18 and Tuesday, April 17 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Greenbelt Recreation Center (for Wagner pool registration): from noon to 2:00 p.m. on Sat., April 14 and on Mon., Apr. 16 through Wed., Apr., 18 from noon – 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
After the Lottery
Lottery winners are chosen at random. Applicants who are not chosen will be placed on a waiting list. You will be notified by email of the lottery results on Thursday, April 19. Results will be posted at the center by Friday, April 20.
After the lottery is drawn, any remaining spots will be available on a first come, first served basis. Winner slots are non-transferable. The waiting list will be used to replace anyone who drops out of the program. Two consecutive absences without notifying the Citywide Aquatics office will result in the person being replaced by a waitlisted candidate.
