We are for here for everyone!
All ages - from infants to seniors - can learn to swim. Check out our class offerings below to find one that fits your families busy schedule.
The Norwich Family YMCA's Learn-To-Swim Program offers certified instruction in aquatic skills and water safety to swimmers from 6 months and up. The objective is to teach people how to swim and to be safe in, on and around water. The Norwich Family YMCA utilizes the American Red Cross curriculum and guidelines.
Parent and Child Lessons - Ages 6 months - 3 yrs.
Accompanied by a parent; infant and toddlers learn safe behaviors in, on and around the water and learn to develop swimming readiness. Parents and children engage in water exploration activities with the objective of having fun and becoming comfortable in, on and around water. These lessons are designed for children aged 6 months - 3 years. Swim diapers must be worn. These classes are 30 minutes in length.
Level 1: Introduces basic skills to parents and children. Parents learn how to safely work with their child in the water, including how to appropriately support and hold their child in the water and how to prepare and encourage their child to participate fully and try the skills. Children receive an introduction to basic skills that lay a foundation for learning to swim. In addition parents are introduced to several water safety topics. 6 months - 1.5 yrs.
Level 2: Builds on the skills introduced in Level 1. Participants improve on these skills and learn more advanced skills in Level 2. As with Level 1, water safety topics are also included in this level. 1.5 yrs - 3 yrs.
Preschool Lessons - 3 yrs. - 12 years
In Preschool Level 1 through 3, students are taught the recommended skills for all to have around water including safe water habits, underwater exploration, and how to swim to safety and exit in the event of falling into a body of water. Activities, games, and drills, geared to reinforce learning, are utilized heavily as students progress in this skill-based approach to swimming. These classes are 30 minutes in length.
Preschool Level 1: Increases comfort with underwater exploration and introduces basic self-rescue skills performed with assistance.
Preschool Level 2: Encourages forward movement in water and basic self-rescue skills performed independently.
Preschool Level 3: Develops intermediate self-rescue skills performed at longer distances than in previous stage.
Learn-To-Swim Youth Lessons - 6 - 12 years
In Learn-To-Swim (LTS) Youth Levels 1-6 students are introduced to the four competitive swimming strokes as well as rescue skills and healthy lifestyle habits.
LTS Level 1: Beginner, Intro to Water Skills: Introduces basic aquatic skills. Participants start developing positive attitudes, effective swimming habits and safe practices in and around the water. This class is 30 minutes in length.
LTS Level 2: Beginner, Fundamental Aquatic Skills: Gives participants success with fundamental skills. This level marks the beginning of true locomotion skills. Participants learn to glide and float without support and recover to a vertical position. Participants further develop simultaneous and alternating arm and leg actions on the front and back, laying the foundation for future strokes. This class is 30 minutes in length.
LTS Level 3: Intermediate, Stroke Development: Expand proficiency of previously learned skills by providing additional guided practice. Participants learn and practice survival floating and learn to swim front crawl and elementary backstroke at rudimentary proficiency levels. Introduction of the scissors and dolphin kicks, treading water and seated dives. This class is 30 minutes in length.
LTS Level 4: Intermediate, Stroke Improvement: Students will increase endurance on skills learned in level 3 and will be introduced to sidestroke, breaststroke, back crawl, butterfly and open turns. This class is 45 minutes in length.
LTS Level 5: Advanced, Stroke Refinement: Participants refine their performance of all six strokes and increase the distance that they swim. Participants also learn to perform flip turns on front and back. This class is 45 minutes in length.
LTS Level 6: Advanced, Water Safety: Participants will learn personal water safety and will have a good understanding of how to be safe in, on and around water. This class is 45 minutes in length.
All swim lessons are once a week for 8 weeks. Cost for a session is $30 for members and $60 for non-members. To help decide what level you or your child are at please click on our lesson selector to help you make and informed decision. To register for swim lessons please visit our member service desk or call 607-336-9622.
Private Swim Lessons - Ages 3 and up
We offer private lessons, which are one-on-one with an experienced and trained instructor for 30 minutes. If you are interested in private lessons please fill out our private lesson registration form and register at our member service desk. We have the following options available for private lessons:
Single Class - $20 member $50 non-member
4 Classes - $50 member $80 non-member
8 Classes - $90 member $120 non-member