YMCA of Central Stark County

Parent/Child Lessons (6 months - 3 years old)

STAGE 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.

STAGE B - WATER EXPLORATION

In stage B, parents work with their children to explore body positions, floating, blowing bubbles, and fundamental safety and aquatic skills.

Pre-School Lessons (3-5 years old)

STAGE 1 - WATER ACCLIMATION

In Stage 1, 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.

STAGE 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.

STAGE 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.

School Age Lessons (5-12 years old)

STAGE 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.

STAGE 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.

LEVEL 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.

Specialized Swim Lessons

Teen/Adult Swim Lessons

Designed to cater to individuals at varying skill levels, offering a supportive group environment led by experienced instructors. Whether you're diving into swimming for the first time or looking to refine your strokes, our program ensures a fun and effective learning experience for all ages.

Diverse Abilities Swim Program

Our specialized swim program is designed for children and adults with autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other developmental challenges. Participants will explore abilities, develop skills and find the econfidence to pursue goals.

More Swim Lessons Related Programs

Private Swim Lessons

We offer one-time, four-time, and eight-time private sessions tailored to individual needs. Choose between one-on-one lessons or semi-private sessions for up to two kids per class, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all skill levels.

Swim Clinics

Take your swimming skills to the next level with our Swim Clinics, perfect for more advanced swimmers or those considering joining a swim team. Led by expert coaches, these clinics focus on technique, endurance, and competitive skills in a supportive environment.

SWIM LESSON SELECTOR

FIND

Anytime! The swim lessons are continuous rather than session based. If the class you are looking to sign up for has an opening, you can sign up anytime. The school year session registration will open in mid-to-late-July for members and early August for community members

You can register on our website, ymcastark.org, call into your local branch, or visit the branch to register your child. 

Please contact our front desk staff by the 20th of the month to complete the withdraw process from swim lessons. If you don’t cancel by the 20th, you will be charged for the upcoming month. The child will be able to attend lessons for another month if this occurs. Once you cancel, we cannot guarantee that there will be availability on your preferred day and time when you decide to return. 

Please stop by the front desk to see the availability in the stage your child has progressed into. Our staff will then move them to that stage and your child will then be in that class going forward. 

You can choose to keep your child in the stage that they are currently at. We’re constantly evaluating and are very flexible when it comes to working with each child’s individual strengths and weaknesses, and the instructor will work with your child on the next stage skills until a spot opens. Our trained instructors pick up on skill differences very quickly and are aware of the abilities that your child needs to have to maintain placement at their stage. We understand that everyone learns at their own pace, which is why our instructors observe and adjust teaching methods as needed.

Make-up classes are not available. We recommend you remain enrolled, even if you do miss a few lessons so your child can continue with lessons.  If your child happens to have an extended injury (Doctor’s note to be submitted)that would keep them away from lessons for at least 3 weeks – we will offer the option of having your child removed from lessons and put them on the top of our waiting list with a note that once released, they are to be the first one back in lessons when a spot is available.

Each child is limited to sign up for two waiting lists maximum.

There will be a monthly bank draft fee that is set with member and community member pricing.

Each lesson is 30 minutes long.