Our Core Values

Parent/Child Lessons:

Shrimp (6-8 months)/Kipper (9-12 months)/Inia (13-18 months)

No previous water experience needed. Children explore the water through songs and games. A trustful adult participates with the child. View Offerings

Perch (19 months-3 years)

In this class children will swim with a trusted adult and gain comfidence in the pool. Beginning swimming and water safety skills are introduced. View Offerings

Perch Plus (2-4 years)

This class is for the 2-3 year old child that is comfortable in the swimming pool but not yet ready for preschool swim lessons or the 4 year old who is not ready to swim without a parent. Children will swim with both parent and instructor to gain further confidence. View Offerings

 

Pre-School Swim Lessons (3-5 years)

Pike

This is your child's first swimming experience without a parent or guardian. This class will focus on water adjustment, kicking, blowing bubbles and paddling with assistance. Children will swim with and without floatation. View Offerings

Pike Advanced

This class is for the child who is comfortable completely submerging their head underwater. Proper use of instructional floatation devices, water safety and floating will be emphasized. View Offerings

Eel

Children entering an Eel class should be comfortable paddling on their front, back and side 1 width of the pool with or without flotation. Stroke development, independent swimming and personal safety are emphasized. View Offerings

Ray

Children entering a Ray class should have the ability to swim ½ length of the pool independently on both front and back. Children should be comfortable in the deep end of the pool. Continued stroke development and endurance are emphasized. View Offerings

Starfish

Children entering a Starfish class should have the ability to swim 1 length of the pool without assistance as well as tread water for 15 seconds. Children will be introduced to rhythmic breathing and symmetrical paddle. This class will focus on stroke refinement and endurance. View Offerings

 

Youth Swim Lessons (6-12 years)

Polliwog

This class is for the beginner swimmer with no precious water experience necessary. This class will focus on water adjustment, front/back float and paddles. Proper use of Instructional floatation devices will be stressed. View Offerings

Polliwog Advanced

To enter the Polliwog advanced class your child should be comfortable putting their head under the water. This class will focus on the development of proper body position, floating, gliding, and paddling and personal water safety. View Offerings

Guppy

Children entering a Guppy class should be comfortable swimming with their face in the water. Guppy is an advanced beginner class that will introduce rhythmic breathing and stroke development. View Offerings

Minnow

Children entering a minnow level swim lesson should be able to swim 1 length of the pool on both front and back. In the minnow level, strokes are refined and endurance increased. Breaststroke and Elementary backstroke introduced. View Offerings

Fish

Children entering Fish level swim lessons should be able to swim 2 lengths of the pool front crawl and backstroke are refined and butterfly is introduced. Endurance and stroke refinement are stressed. View Offerings

Flying Fish

Children entering flying fish swim lessons should be swim 3 lengths off the pool front crawl, backstroke and elementary backstroke in good form. Continued development of butterfly, breaststroke, starts, flip turns. Stoke refinement and endurance reinforced. View Offerings

Shark/Porpoise

Children entering this class should be able to swim four lengths of the pool front crawl and backstroke. This class will continue working on flip turns, stroke refinement and endurance. Competitive swim strokes such as individual medley will be practiced.  View Offerings

There are no provisions for the makeup of missed classes, unless the class is cancelled by the YMCA.  The Aquatic Department reserves the right to: cancel or postpone any program due to low enrollment or unforeseen facility schedule changes.  Specific class instructor cannot be guaranteed.
 
For more information contact Sara Godwin at (215) 628-9950 or sgodwin@philaymca.org