Summer Swim Lessons

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Welcome to Florida Southern College Summer Swim Lessons.

The goal of our program is to enhance children’s ability to participate in pool activities safely while increasing swimming ability and confidence. This is achieved by creating an open, inviting environment that fosters learning, engagement, and fun!

2019 Summer Swim lesson registration is closed. 2020 Swim Lesson information is listed below!

Registration is Closed

Returning Registration will begin April 15th. 

New Family Registration will begin April 22nd. 

All Florida Southern College instructors are experienced and trained in the sport of swimming, making them knowledgeable and equipped to teach safely and effectively. Class sizes are kept small with student to instructor ratios being 6:1 for the upper levels and 5:1 for the younger levels, ensuring that each child receives the attention necessary to complete each level’s required skills. While participating in FSC Summer Swim Lessons, swimmers have the opportunity to learn water safety, interact with other children, and work on skills for their class level.

Downloads

Swim Lessons Schedule 2020

Session Fee Session Dates Session Times
I $75 May 11 to May 21 9 AM, 10 AM
II $75 June 1 to June 11 8 AM, 9 AM, 10 AM, 11 AM
III $75 June 22 to July 2 8 AM, 9 AM, 10 AM, 11 AM
IV $75 July 6 to July 16 8 AM, 9 AM, 10 AM, 11 AM

- All children must be at least 3 years of age and 100% potty trained to participate.
- Swim lessons run 4 days a week, Monday through Thursday, for the two-week session. Each swimmer will receive a Family summer pool pass as part of the cost. 
- All classes are 45 minutes long.

 

Disclaimer

The week of assigned lessons, Fridays will serve as make-up days, if necessary. Please see Parent Orientation letter located at the bottom of this page for the inclement weather and makeup policy. Classes are 45 minutes long and will start on time. Please be respectful of class participants and be on time. Classes that are missed at participant’s fault may not be transferred to another time/session or made up.

If the maximum number of students has been reached for a certain level, it will not be available for registration.

Refund Policy

$30.00 of swim lesson payment is non-refundable. Swim lesson refunds will be determined on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Swim Lesson Coordinator. Refunds will be considered for cases such as death in the family, injuries, or emergencies. Refunds may be pro-rated depending on the situation.

Levels

Placing a child in the correct level for their age and ability is the parent/guardian’s responsibility. Florida Southern is not responsible for children who have been placed in the wrong level. Instructors will do their best to accommodate and create the best learning experience for all participants. Movement made once lessons have started will be at the instructor’s and coordinator’s discretion and will be based on availability. If you have questions about which level your child should be placed in, or if they are ready for group swim lessons.

Florida Southern College Swim Lesson Outlines

A breakdown of all class levels, as well as age and level appropriate achievement and skills based goals are listed below. Placing a child in the correct level for their age and ability is the parent/guardian’s responsibility. Florida Southern is not responsible for children who have been placed in the wrong level. When a child enters a certain class, they must be able to complete the skills from the proceeding class with consistency, accuracy and confidence (Exception: Level 1 is designed for first time swimmers older than 6 years of age.). In order for a child to pass his/her “level,” he/she must master the skills listed, along with the additional safety topics taught at the beginning of each class. It is not uncommon for a child to remain in the same level for multiple sessions. These standards are designed by the Florida Southern College Swimming coaching staff and are implemented at the discretion of each instructor.

Instructors will do their best to accommodate and create the best learning experience for all participants. Movement made once lessons have started will be at the instructor and coordinator’s discretion and will be based on availability. If you have questions about which level your child should be placed in or if they are ready for group swim lessons, please see the following documents attached below.

Downloads

Preschool Levels – Designed for swimmers between the ages of 3 – 6 

PS Level 1

Description:

  • Designed for children over the age of 3 with very little to no experience in the water
  • Objective to acclimate swimmers to aquatic environment through the use of games, songs, and learning aids
    • Activities will take place 1-on-1 with instructor. When not their turn, swimmers MUST be able to sit still & take instructions.
  • Beginning of each class will be dedicated to safety topics & attendance
    • One safety lesson devoted to lifejackets
  • Occasionally this class may go to the deep end


Prerequisites:

  • Participants MUST be over the age of three (as of the first day of classes)
  • Participants MUST be 100% potty trained
  • Should be comfortable working with an instructor(s)
  • Should be comfortable interacting with other children
  • Participants should be able to take instructions and implement them (huge for safety)
  • Participants should demonstrate the willingness to enter the water 


Curriculum:

  • Floating on Back (ears in water) with assistance of instructor or flotation device
  • Floating on Stomach with assistance of instructor or flotation device
  • Introduction of Arm Movement (i.e. ‘scooping’ the water) with assistance of instructor or flotation device
  • Kicking on stomach & back with assistance via instructor or flotation device
  • Blowing Bubbles w/ face in water

PS Level 2

Description:

  • Designed for children with slight familiarity & experience in the water
  • Objective to continue acclimating swimmers to aquatic environment through the use of games, songs, and learning aids
    • Activities will take place 1-on-1 with instructor. When not their turn, swimmers MUST be able to sit still & take instructions.
  • Known skills to be reviewed & refined at the beginning of the class instruction.
  • Beginning of each class will be dedicated to safety topics & attendance
    • One safety lesson devoted to lifejackets
  • This class may go to the deep end
  • Swimmers will be encouraged to do actions independently with close monitoring of instructor


Prerequisites:

  • Comfortable floating on back (ears in water) with assistance of instructor or flotation device
  • Comfortable floating on stomach with assistance of instructor or flotation device
  • Arm movement (i.e. ‘scooping’ the water) with assistance of instructor or flotation device
  • Comfortable kicking on stomach & back with assistance via instructor or flotation device
  • Comfortable blowing bubbles w/ face in water


Curriculum:

  • Introduction to Bobbing – Swimmers will submerge their entire head and resurface
  • Floating on Back (ears submerged) with good body position, completely still with instructor help or flotation help
  • Floating on Stomach (ears submerged) with good body position, completely still with instructor help or flotation help
  • Movement through Water – Achieved by kicking & scooping water independent of instructor with assistance of flotation device
  • Jumping into Water (Independently)

PS Level 3

Description:

  • Designed for children comfortable in the water. Introduction to comfortably submerging & elementary swimming without assistance.
  • Objective to continue acclimating swimmers to aquatic environment through the use of games, songs, and learning aids
    • Activities will take place 1-on-1 with instructor. When not their turn, swimmers MUST be able to sit still & take instructions.
  • Known skills to be reviewed & refined at the beginning of the class instruction.
  • Beginning of each class will be dedicated to safety topics & attendance
    • One safety lesson devoted to lifejackets
  • This class may go to the deep end
  • Swimmers will be encouraged to do actions independently with close monitoring of instructor


Prerequisites:

  • Comfortable Bobbing – Swimmers submerge their entire head and resurface
  • Comfortable Floating on Back (ears submerged) with good body position, completely still with instructor help or flotation help
  • Comfortable Floating on Stomach (ears submerged) with good body position, completely still with instructor help or flotation help
  • Comfortable Moving through Water – Achieved independent of instructor with assistance of flotation device
  • Comfortable Jumping into Water (Independently)


Curriculum:

  • Independently Floating on Back (ears submerged) with good body position, completely still
  • Independently Floating on Stomach (ears submerged) with good body position, completely still
  • Forward Movement on Stomach w/ Arm & Leg action independent of Instructor
  • Kicking on Back – Independently
  • Submerging Head & Retrieving Objects from the Bottom of the Pool (Independently)
  • Independently Jumping In & Swimming to Side of Pool

Levels 1 & Up – Designed for swimmers ages 6 & older 

Level 1 - Introduction to Water Skills

Description:

  • Designed for swimmers over the age of six with NO swimming abilities and/or discomfort/distrust of the water.
    • Modifications can be made depending on the severity of swimmer’s discomfort in water.
    • Pacing & structure of the class dependent on swimmers enrolled & will be determined by instructor based upon lesson of the day.
    • Activities will take place 1-on-1 with instructor. When not their turn, swimmers MUST be able to sit still & take instructions.
    First few lessons dedicated to acclimating to the water & assessing current skills.
  • Beginning of each class will be dedicated to safety topics & attendance
  • Equipment will be used regularly 



Prerequisites:

  • Should be comfortable working with an instructor(s)
  • Should be comfortable interacting with other children
  • Participants should be able to take instructions and implement them (huge for safety)
  • Participants should demonstrate the willingness to enter the water



Curriculum:

  • Water Entry – Using steps/ladder/side of pool/feet first entry
  • Floating on Back (ears in water) with assistance of instructor or flotation device
  • Floating on Stomach with assistance of instructor or flotation device
  • Blowing Bubbles w/ face in water
  • Kicking on stomach & back with assistance via instructor or flotation device
  • If class is advanced, other skills may be introduced & progressed

Level 2 - Fundamental Aquatic Skills

Description:

  • Designed for children over the age of six who have either 1) passed through the PS Levels or 2) are considered beginner swimmers.
  • Objective to continue acclimating swimmers to aquatic environment, while beginning to focus on building swimming skills & independence in the water.
    • Swimmers will be encouraged to perform learning skills with floatation devices independently under instructor supervision.
    • Equipment will be used regularly in classes as learning aids (provided).
    • Some activities will take place 1-on-1 with instructor. When not their turn, swimmers MUST be able to sit still & take instructions.
  • Known skills to be reviewed & refined at the beginning of the class instruction.
  • Beginning of each class will be dedicated to safety topics & attendance
  • Class WILL take place in deep end of pool



Prerequisites:

  • Comfortable Bobbing – Swimmers will submerge their entire head and resurface
  • Comfortable Floating on Back (ears in water) completely still with little assistance of instructor or flotation device
  • Comfortable Floating on Stomach completely still with little assistance of instructor or flotation device
  • Comfortable Moving through Water –Achieved independent of instructor with assistance of flotation device
  • Comfortable Entering Water (Independently)



Curriculum:

  • Introduction to Freestyle – Kicking on stomach w/ face in water & arm movement
  • Introduction to Backstroke – Kicking on back w/ ears in the water & arm movements
  • Treading Water – Swimmers demonstrate ability of staying vertical & maintaining the head above the surface while in deep water
  • Front Glide & Back Glide (i.e. Streamline Push-offs)
  • Gaining Confidence in Independent Aquatic Movements

Level 3 - Stroke Development

Description:

  • Designed for children have either 1) passed through the Levels 1 – 2 or 2) possess the necessary prerequisite skills.
  • Objective to focus on building beginner swimming skills into coordinated swimming strokes.
    • Swimmers will be expected to begin performing learning skills without instructor/flotation device assistance under supervision.
    • Equipment will be used regularly in classes as learning aids (provided).
    • Activities will take in a group setting.
    • Swimmers will begin swimming longer distances.
  • Known skills to be reviewed & refined at the beginning of the class instruction.
  • Beginning of each class will be dedicated to safety topics & attendance
  • Class WILL take place in deep end of pool



Prerequisites:

  • Freestyle – Basic kicking on stomach w/ face in water & arm movement
  • Backstroke – Basic kicking on back w/ ears in the water & arm movements
  • Treading Water – Swimmers demonstrate ability of staying vertical & maintaining the head above the surface while in deep water
  • Completely comfortable & confident with submerging & swimming independently w/ the face in the water



Curriculum:

  • Freestyle – Refinement of coordination and basic breathing techniques
  • Backstroke – Refinement of coordination & body position
  • Introduction to Breaststroke – Frog kicking on stomach & simultaneous arm movement with submerged face
  • Dolphin Kicking – The beginning of Butterfly
  • Beginner level diving from the side of the pool

Level 4 - Stroke Improvement

Description:

  • Designed for children have either 1) passed through the Level 3 or 2) possess the necessary prerequisite skills.
  • Objective to refine current swim skills in Freestyle & Backstroke, introduce two new strokes (Butterfly & Breaststroke) while building endurance.
    • Swimmers will be expected perform all learning skills without instructor/flotation device assistance under supervision.
    • Equipment will be used regularly in classes as learning aids (provided).
    • ALL activities will take in a group setting.
    • Swimmers will begin swimmer longer distances (multiple laps) with shorter breaks to build endurance.
    • Portion of class time may be dedicated to learning turns and/or diving skills, if applicable.
  • Known skills to be reviewed & refined at the beginning of the class instruction.
  • Beginning of each class will be dedicated to safety topics & attendance
  • Class WILL take place in deep end of pool



Prerequisites:

  • Backstroke – Coordinated kick & arm movements
  • Freestyle – Continuous kicking with coordinated arm movements; knowledge of rotary breathing
  • Breaststroke – Coordinated & simultaneous arm/leg movement
  • Scissor/Flutter Kicking (i.e. Freestyle & Backstroke)
  • Dolphin Kicking (i.e. Butterfly)
  • Basic Diving Techniques



Curriculum:

  • Introduction to Butterfly – Dolphin kick w/ simultaneous arm movement above water
  • Stroke Refinement of Backstroke, Freestyle, and Breaststroke
  • Introduction to Dive Starts (Side of Pool)
  • Introduction to Flip Turns (Freestyle & Backstroke)

Level 5/6 - Swim Team Prep:

Description:

  • Designed for swimmers eager to focus on stroke technique refinement of all four 4 competitive strokes (backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle), as well as starts, turns, and finishes.
    • Classes will break down each stroke in order to build the good habits of a competitive swimmer
  • Swimmers should prepare & expect to build strength & endurance by swimming longer distances similar to a 45-minute swim practice (500 – 1500 yards)


Prerequisites:

  • Backstroke – Completion of least 2 continuous laps in a coordinated motion
  • Breaststroke – Completion of least 2 continuous laps in a coordinated motion
  • Butterfly – Completion of least ½ of a continuous lap with arms completely exiting the water
  • Freestyle – Completion of 2 continuous laps in a coordinated motion with bilateral/rotary breathing


Curriculum:

  • Flip Turns (Backstroke & Freestyle)
  • Open Turns (Butterfly & Breaststroke)
  • Technique Refinement of ALL four competitive strokes (i.e. butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle)
  • Dive Starts (Starting Blocks)
  • Strength Endurance Development (ALL Four Stroke)
  • Introduction of Strength & Cardiovascular Training
  • i.e. Water Jogging, Water Aerobics, Dryland Training, etc.

Policies and Procedures

Welcome to Florida Southern College Summer Swim Lessons.  We are honored that you chose us to be part of your summer fun. We are looking forward to having your swimmer in class.

Below is some additional information and tips to help your swim lesson experience run smoothly.

  • Although we encourage parents/guardians to be active and knowledgeable about their swimmer’s learning experience, parents/guardians are not allowed to be on the deck during lessons so the instructors can have the participant’s full attention.
  • Parents must be present for each lesson (no matter the age of the participant) to escort children safely to and from the restroom when needed or to be available in cases of emergencies, inclement weather, or questions.
  • If you have an older child of the opposite gender you wish to escort into the restroom/locker room area, please ask the aquatic staff, and they will direct you to private restrooms.
  • Each child should bring his/her own towel and a pair of sandals to class. Goggles are encouraged for levels 3 and up, Pool staff will not provide goggles.
  • Before entering the pool area, please have your child/children do the following things:
    • Remove gum or candy from mouth
    • Remove all adhesive bandages
    • Use the restroom
    • All children are required to shower before entering the pool.
    • Uncooperative or disruptive children will be put in time-out for 2-5 minutes, so that the other children are not penalized for the behavior of one.
    • After each lesson, please be available for the instructor to give you updates and feedback on your swimmer’s progress.

Please be aware that FSC is not responsible for placing your child in the right level. FSC aquatic staff will do it’s best to make each participant’s experience a positive one. However, due to high enrollment in certain levels, moving swimmers up levels will rarely take place, and moving swimmers down levels will occur only when the ability of that swimmer interferes with the teaching of the other swimmers in that class. Any switching of levels will require approval from the instructor and aquatics coordinator and will be made on the first 2 days. After that, any changes will not be considered to maintain class consistency. Please be patient as the first few days of lessons are spent reviewing skills and getting to know new terminology, techniques, and equipment. A verbal progress report will be given at the end of each lesson from the instructor to the parents to show which skills were mastered and which still need some work. Please make sure that you are present and available for the instructor to find you after each lesson.

On deck, you may see some instructors who walk around or assist with different classes. These are instructor aids whose job is to assist walking kids to the bathroom and helping teach difficult skills.

In the event that we cannot use the pool for a lesson (inclement weather, bathroom accidents in pool, chemical imbalance, etc.), we will use a makeup day scheduled during the week each session. See makeup week and inclement weather policies for details.

Thank you for being part of the FSC Summer Swim Program.  Please feel free to ask any questions by contacting Kendal Casey at 863.680.5040 or kcasey@flsouthern.edu.

Downloads

Makeup Week Policies

Makeup Week Policies In event a class is cancelled by the Swim Lesson Coordinator due to inclement weather or other circumstances, the following will occur: 

1 Class missed: 1 additional pool pass
2 Classes missed: 1 makeup day + 1 additional pool pass
3 Classes missed: 1-2 makeup days, depending on Friday availability + 1 additional pool pass
4+ Classes missed: partial refund at the discretion of the FSC Wellness Director & Swim Lesson Coordinators
 

Inclement Weather Policies Summer Swim Lessons

  • The pool will be cleared of all participants for thunder and lightning and will remain clear for 30 minutes after each additional occurrence.
  • The pool will be cleared of all participants for precipitation, wind, or other inclement weather that occurs that causes the lifeguard or instructors to not be able to see that bottom of the pool at its deepest point.
  • Swim lesson participants will be informed by EMAIL as soon as possible if an upcoming lesson is being cancelled. 
  • Days where inclement weather is occurring, the decision to cancel a time slot of lessons will be made up to 35 minutes before that lesson is scheduled to begin. *
  • In situations where the pool has to be cleared due to downpour, which hinders instructor and lifeguard’s vision, lessons may recommence if deemed safe by the Swim Lesson Coordinator. If students are out of the water for longer than 15 minutes, the remaining class will be cancelled.
  • If swim lessons are taking place and inclement weather occurs, there must be 25 minutes left of the lesson for the make up policy to be enforced. 

In the case of inclement weather and participants choose to not participate in the makeup day, the lesson will not be rescheduled or refunded.

* This will also be the case in situations such as fecal accidents, vomiting in the pool, or other situations deemed necessary for pool evacuation. All pool closures are made with participant’s safety in mind and adhere to city and state aquatic regulations as well as Center for Disease Control and Health Department.

Thank you for being part of the FSC Summer Swim Program

Please feel free to ask any questions by contacting the Kendal Casey at 863.680.5040 or kcasey@flsouthern.edu.