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Swim Lessons

Swim Lessons – Swim Lessons

Get Confident and Stay Confident in the Water

The YMCA has been America’s leading swim instructor for more than 100 years. Swim Lessons encompass the YMCA’s philosophy of developing the participant’s spirit, mind, and body. Instructors focus on skill development, confidence building, increasing endurance, and instilling a sense of personal safety for each student.

At the Y, we believe that we should be teaching each child in our swim programs to swim at their own level in a fun, safe environment. With learn-to-swim programs available, the Y can help you get comfortable in the water no matter what age you are. The lessons at our YMCAs are for all ages and abilities. They are comfortable, supportive, and judgment-free zones.

Determine Your Student’s Swim Level

Swim Lessons at the Harrisburg Area YMCA group by skill level and age, but your child may need to do a short swimming test to assess their water competency to be placed appropriately. This way, the experience of our students crafts to their specifications, thus assuring the best aquatic experience possible. To assess where your student should start, please refer to the information below:

What age group does the student fall into?
Student AgeSwim Lessons Age Group
6 months to 3 yearsParent*/Child: Stages A-B
3-5 yearsPreschool: Stages 1-4
5-12 yearsYouth: Stages 1-6
12 years & upTeen/Adult: Stages 1-6
At the Y, we know families take a variety of forms. As a result, we define “parent” broadly to include all adults with primary responsibility for raising children, including biological parents, adoptive parents, guardians, stepparents, grandparents, or any other type of parenting relationship.

All age groups are taught the same skills but are divided according to their developmental milestones.

What stage is the student ready for?
Skill LevelAppropriate Stage
Can the student respond to verbal cues and jump on land?Not yet → Stage A: Water Discovery
Is the student comfortable working with an instructor without a parent in the water?Not yet → Stage B: Water Exploration
Will the student go underwater voluntarily?Not yet → Level 1: Water Acclimation
Can the student do a front and back float on their own?Not yet → Level 2: Water Movement
Can the student swim 10-15 yards on their front and back?Not yet → Level 3: Water Stamina
Can the student swim 15 yards of front and back crawl?Not yet → Level 4: Stroke Introduction
Can the student swim front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke across the pool?Not yet → Level 5: Stroke Development
Can the student swim front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke across the pool and back?Not yet → Level 6: Stroke Mechanics

If you feel that your student has mastered all the levels of YMCA Swim Lessons, we encourage you to explore our pre-competitive and competitive swimming opportunities HERE.

Swim Lesson Sessions

Swim Lessons at the YMCA follow a yearly session schedule. Sessions vary per location, so click below to find out what sessions are available at a branch near you.

East Shore YMCA

The East Shore YMCA offers swim lessons for 6-36 month-olds, 3-5 year-olds, 6-12 year-olds, as well as Adult Lessons and Private Lessons for ages 3 and up. For more information, email the Aquatics Coordinator.

Sessions2024 DatesMember EnrollmentOpen Enrollment
WinterJanuary 2–February 25, 2024December 4December 11
Spring IFebruary 26–April 21, 2024February 5February 12
Spring IIApril 22–June 16, 2024April 1April 8
SummerJune 17–August 11, 2024May 28June 3
Fall IAugust 26–October 20, 2024August 5August 12
Fall IIOctober 21–December 15, 2024September 30October 7
Friendship YMCA

The Friendship YMCA offers swim lessons for 6-36 month-olds, 3-5 year-olds, 6-12 year-olds, as well as Adult Lessons and Private Lessons for ages 3 and up. Classes meet once a week for 7 weeks; if a holiday occurs when your class is held, the fees will be prorated. For more information, email Bruce Matthews, Aquatics Director.

Sessions2024 DatesMember EnrollmentOpen Enrollment
WinterJanuary 2–February 25, 2024December 4December 11
Spring IFebruary 26–April 21, 2024February 5February 12
Spring IIApril 22–June 16, 2024April 1April 8
SummerJune 17–August 11, 2024May 28June 3
Fall IAugust 26–October 20, 2024August 5August 12
Fall IIOctober 21–December 15, 2024September 30October 7
Northern Dauphin County YMCA

The Northern Dauphin County YMCA offers swim lessons for 6-36 month-olds, 3-5 year-olds, 6-12 year-olds, as well as Adult Lessons and Private Lessons for ages 3 and up. In addition, we offer Learn to Swim Camp for children ages 5-12 at the Y and local community pools. For more information, email Sidney Gray, Aquatics Director.

Sessions2024 DatesMember EnrollmentOpen Enrollment
WinterJanuary 2–February 25, 2024December 4December 11
Spring IFebruary 26–April 21, 2024February 5February 12
Spring IIApril 22–June 16, 2024April 1April 8
SummerJune 17–August 11, 2024May 28June 3
Fall IAugust 26–October 20, 2024August 5August 12
Fall IIOctober 21–December 15, 2024September 30October 7
West Shore YMCA

The West Shore YMCA offers swim lessons for 6-36 month-olds, 3-5 year-olds, 6-12 year-olds, as well as Adult Lessons and Private Lessons for ages 3 and up. For more information, email Rachel Beck, Aquatics Director.

Sessions2024 DatesMember EnrollmentOpen Enrollment
WinterJanuary 2–February 25, 2024December 4December 11
Spring IFebruary 26–April 21, 2024February 5February 12
Spring IIApril 22–June 16, 2024April 1April 8
SummerJune 17–August 11, 2024May 28June 3
Fall IAugust 26–October 20, 2024August 5August 12
Fall IIOctober 21–December 15, 2024September 30October 7
West Shore YMCA: East Pennsboro Residents

CLICK HERE to learn more about programs for East Pennsboro Residents at the West Shore YMCA.

Child Safety

At the Y, child safety and protection is our number one priority.  Our goal is to help educate parents and children on how to be safe from child abuse in any environment with the skills they learn at our Y.  Our team is trained in comprehensive and innovative practices around child safety to ensure your children are safe in our care.

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