Group Swim Lessons 
Group swim lessons are taught by trained instructors, and teach people to have fun in the water while staying safe, creating an environment where all can come together to learn, grow, and thrive. Registration is available online for those who have visited the YMCA. You may access your online account using an email the Y has on file or the phone number of the primary user on your account. Please call or stop by if you are new to the Y or need assistance.
Benton Harbor-St. Joseph Lesson Schedule Niles-Buchanan Lesson Schedule
Pricing
| 7-Week Lessons 30-Minute |
7-Week Lessons 45-Minute |
| Winter I Session Member: $100 Community: $200 |
Winter I Session Member: $115 Community: $230 |
| Winter I Session (7 weeks) January 5-February 22, 2025 Registration opens December 9 |
Winter II Session (7 weeks) February 23-April 19, 2025 Registration opens February 10 |
Levels
| A / WATER DISCOVERY Parents accompany children in stage A, which introduces infants and toddlers to the aquatic environment through exploration and encourages them to enjoy themselves while learning about the water. | B / WATER EXPLORATION In stage B, parents work with their children to explore body positions, floating, blowing bubbles, and fundamental safety and aquatic skills. |
| 1 / WATER ACCLIMATION Students develop comfort with underwater exploration and learn to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water in stage 1. This stage lays the foundation that allows for a student’s future progress in swimming. | 2 / WATER MOVEMENT In stage 2, students focus on body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water while also continuing to practice how to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water. |
| 3 / WATER STAMINA In stage 3, students learn how to swim to safety from a longer distance than in previous stages in the event of falling into a body of water. This stage also introduces rhythmic breathing and integrated arm and leg action. | 4 / STROKE INTRODUCTION Students in stage 4 develop stroke technique in front crawl and back crawl and learn the breaststroke kick and butterfly kick. Water safety is reinforced through treading water and elementary backstroke. |
| 5 / STROKE DEVELOPMENT Students in stage 5 work on stroke technique and learn all major competitive strokes. The emphasis on water safety continues through treading water and sidestroke. | 6 / STROKE MECHANICS In stage 6, students refine stroke technique on all major competitive strokes, learn about competitive swimming, and discover how to incorporate swimming into a healthy lifestyle. |
