Learn-to-Swim Group Lessons

Swim lessons are a great way to increase your child’s confidence while setting the foundation for a healthy lifelong hobby. All Learn-to-Swim lessons are taught under the philosophy of the American Red Cross, and our instructors follow the recommendations of the American Red Cross in their teachings. Each level introduces a challenging variety of activities for the student to help them progress in their swimming abilities. Based on the explanation of each level below, use your best judgement to choose the correct level for your swimmer(s); if you need some guidance, please contact our pool desk at (847) 531-7030. If you have any other questions, comments, or concerns, please contact Steve Gard at gard_s@cityofelgin.org or (847) 531-7007.

March – May 2024 Swim Lesson Information

June – July 2024 Swim Lesson Information

Our eight week session of lessons take place once per week for a total of eight lessons.

Fast Track lessons take place 4x per week, Monday-Thursday, over the course of two weeks for a total of eight lessons.

Age Suggestion for Aquababies and Preschool Aquatics
Aquababies: ages 6-36 months: requires adult participation
Preschool Aquatics Level 1: ages 3-4 years: without adult participation
Preschool Aquatics Level 2: ages 4-5 years: without adult participation
Preschool Aquatics Level 3: ages 4-6 years: without adult participation

Age Suggestion for Level 1-6
Level 1: age 5-6: without adult participation
Level 2: age 6-7: without adult participation
Level 3: age 7-8: without adult participation
Level 4: age 8-9: without adult participation
Level 5: age 9-10: without adult participation
Level 6: age 10-11: without adult participation

Preschool Aquatics Program
Throughout the three levels, preschool-age children are taught basic aquatic safety and swimming skills, all the while increasing their comfort level in and around the water. Skills are age-appropriate, helping children achieve success on a regular basis and enjoy social interactions with other children. As in all Swimming and Water Safety courses, your child will always know that it’s safety first. We also do our best to ensure our swimmers are having fun will growing in their swimming abilities.

Preschool Aquatics Level 1
Orients children to the aquatic environment and helps them gain basic aquatic skills.
* Enter water using ramp, steps or side
* Exit water using ladder, steps or side
* Blow bubbles through mouth and nose
* Submerge mouth, nose and eyes
* Open eyes underwater and retrieve submerged objects
* Front glide and recover to a vertical position
* Back glide and recover to a vertical position
* Back float
* Roll from front to back and back to front
* Tread with arm and hand actions
* Alternating and simultaneous arm and leg actions on front
* Alternating and simultaneous arm and leg actions on back
* Combined arm and leg actions on front and back
* Plus age-appropriate water safety topics

Preschool Aquatics Level 2
Helps children gain greater independence in their skills and develop more comfort in and around water.
* Enter water by stepping in from a deck or low height
* Exit water using ladder, steps or side
* Bobbing
* Open eyes underwater and retrieve submerged objects
* Front float
* Back glide and float and recover to a vertical position
* Roll from front to back and back to front
* Tread water using arm and leg actions
* Combined arm and leg actions on front and back
* Finning arm action on back
* Plus age-appropriate water safety topics

Preschool Aquatics Level 3
Helps children start to gain basic swimming propulsive skills to be comfortable in and around water.
* Enter water by jumping in
* Fully submerge and hold breath
* Bobbing
* Rotary breathing
* Front, jellyfish and tuck floats
* Front and back float or glide and recover to a vertical position
* Change direction of travel while swimming on front or back
* Tread water using arm and leg actions
* Combined arm and leg actions on front and back
* Finning arm action on back
* Plus age-appropriate water safety topics

Red Cross Level 1 – Water Exploration
Designed to orient the swimmer with the aquatic environment, focusing on supported floating and beginning arms. Safety skills are introduced in conjunction with stroke techniques.

Red Cross Level 2 – Primary Skills
This level emphasizes fundamental locomotion. Students work on unsupported floating combined with kicks and rhythmic breathing. Red Cross safety topics covered include reaching and extension assists.

Red Cross Level 3 – Stroke Readiness
Level III focuses on improving skill competency. Students begin deep water work including elementary backstroke, diving and treading water. Rescue breathing is a key Red Cross safety topic covered. This class will be held in the Lap Pool.

Red Cross Level 4 – Stroke Development
This level reinforces the foundational strokes and safety skills. Students develop their breaststroke and sidestroke skills and are introduced to competitive turns. This class will be held in the Lap Pool.

Red Cross Level 5 – Stroke Refinement
Level V includes a technical review of front crawl, back crawl, elementary backstroke, breaststroke and sidestroke to refine these skills. Springboard diving safety is discussed and butterfly and surface dives are introduced.

Red Cross Level 6 – Skill Proficiency/Advanced Skills
This level is designed to help advanced swimmers prepare for competitive swimming. Flip turns and endurance training are incorporated, along with stroke reinforcement. Advanced rescue skills are also introduced.

Private & Semi-Private Swim Lessons

While our core group swim classes are small, our private and semi-private classes provide a more personalized experience for our participants. Both options, private swim lessons and semi-private swim lessons, are sold as a punch pass, offer 30-minute lessons or 60-minute lessons, and are scheduled based on the participants availability. Registration must take place in-person at The Centre of Elgin at the Adventure Island Pool Desk or the Main Courtesy Desk. After registration, participants will receive an email with additional information and a link to our Private or Semi-Private Swim Lesson Questionnaire. After we have received the completed questionnaire, you can expect to hear from us with 5-7 business days to confirm the day & time of your lesson and get you in touch with your instructor. For more information on this great program, feel free to call the Adventure Island Pool Desk at 847-531-7030.

Private Swim Lessons

Private swim lessons are conducted on a one-to-one basis, with a dedicated instructor assigned to each student. These private swim lessons are particularly well-suited for individuals who thrive with personalized instruction. This includes those who may be apprehensive first-time swimmers, children with special needs, adults who have delayed their swim education, and competitive swimmers seeking targeted training to enhance specific skill sets. It is important to note that although these lessons maintain a personalized instructional format, the pool space utilized may be shared with other scheduled programming at the same time. Consequently, it is essential to understand that private swim lessons do not guarantee exclusive access to the pool during the instructional sessions.

30-Minute Private Swim Lessons Fees

60-Minute Private Swim Lessons Fees

Semi-Private Swim Lessons

These lessons necessitate a minimum of two swimmers and allow for a maximum of three swimmers, ensuring a balanced ratio of either 2-on-1 (2 students/1 instructor) or 3-on-1 (3 students/1 instructor). This offering proves advantageous for friends or family members seeking the shared experience of private swim instruction at the same time, guided by the same instructor. It is essential to note that all participants in semi-private lessons must register collectively and simultaneously. Additionally, consistent attendance of all enrolled students at each lesson is a prerequisite.

30-Minute Semi-Private Swim Lessons Fees

60-Minute Semi-Private Swim Lessons Fees