At the heart of the YMCA lies the power to transform?both yourself and the world around you. From our exceptional fitness, personal training, sports and aquatics programs, to our extensive preschool and school-age programs, to our fun family and community events, the Y offers an array of options focused on strengthening bodies, minds and communities.
When you are involved with the Y, you help bring about lasting personal and social change. Whether you want to nurture the potential of children, improve your family?s health, or give back to your neighbors, your involvement with the Y will positively impact your community.
There is no other nonprofit quite like the Y. That's because, in neighborhoods across Chicagoland, we have the presence and partnerships to not just promise, but deliver, positive change.
We don't just teach people how to swim — we teach children and adults how to stay safe in and around the water — and we’ve been doing it for 130 years!
Swim Lessons
Swimming is more than just a hobby — it's a life-saving skill that could prevent thousands of deaths each year. That's why our swim lessons help focus on water safety, building character and increasing self-confidence. We’ll teach your child to swim confidently at his or her own pace, and enlist you as an active participant in the learning process.
INFANT/TODDLER (ages 6 months-3 years)
Stage A: Water Discovery
The infant/toddler program requires a parent/guardian to be present in the pool with the participant at all times. We will introduce basic aquatic safety to parents and set healthy expectations for your child. Several safety skills will be introduced including asking permission to enter the water, and safe entry into and exit from water.
The infant/toddler program requires a parent/guardian to
be present in the pool with the participant at all times. In Water Exploration, you will help your child explore the water and introduce basic water skills like kicking, blowing bubbles, and assisted floating on the front and back. Safety skills
will be reinforced including asking permission to enter the water, and exiting the water independently.
Students will become comfortable independently going underwater and learn how to exit the water safely. Safety is reinforced when students learn about the importance of lifeguard/adult supervision, asking permission before going into any body of water, and life jackets. Goggles are not recommended for this stage.
Students will learn independent front and back glides, and swim sequences to reach safety. Safety will be reinforced when students learn about finding help, reach or throw, don’t go, and backyard pool safety. Goggles are not recommended for this stage.
Students will build endurance to perform the safety sequence
of swim-float-swim up to a length of the pool. Treading water up to one minute and getting to safety in deep water will be reinforced through jump-push-turn-grab sequence. Safety will be reinforced when students learn about sun safety and calling 9-1- 1. Goggles are not recommended for this stage.
Students will be introduced to basic front and back crawl, as well as butterfly and breaststroke kicks. Students will also work on treading water endurance and be introduced to elementary backstroke. Safety will be reinforced when students learn about beach and boating safety and basic first aid practices. Goggles are recommended for this stage.
(Recommended for school age participants.) Students will master the front and back crawl, learn butterfly, breaststroke, and sidestroke, all while building endurance. Safety will be reinforced when students learn open water safety strategies, how to help someone who is choking, and the importance of rest. Goggles are recommended for this stage.
(Recommended for school age participants.) Students
will master all four competitive strokes and both resting strokes while working on endurance. Competitive shallow dives and turns will be introduced. Safety will be reinforced when students learn basic CPR skills, releasing cramps, and the importance of continued physical activity. Goggles are recommended for this stage.
For adults ages 18+. It's never too late to learn or improve your swimming skills! We offer 3 levels of swimming to meet the needs of a variety of participants.
YMCA swim teams offer developmental instruction, age-group training, advanced conditioning, and in-depth technique and skill analysis. The Y participates in the Chicago District Swim Conference and the Windy City Conference, which includes YMCA teams and USA teams in the Chicagoland area.
Private lessons are the perfect answer for the participant who cannot make our scheduled group lessons or need that extra attention. The benefits of a private swim lesson are that they are scheduled for your convenience, and you can focus your lesson on what you want to learn: to dive, to swim, to complete a triathlon!
Whether you are looking for a summer job, or pursuing a career as a professional lifeguard, the YMCA offers classes in Lifeguard Certification and water safety. Offerings include: American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification, American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor, YMCA Lifeguard Certification, YMCA Swim Lesson Instructor, YMCA Water Fitness Instructor, YMCA Aquatics Safety Assistant
