Learn to Swim Program

The Department of Conservation and Recreation seeks to provide

visitors with access to educational programmingwhich will assist in thedevelopment of general water safety awareness along with the development of life-skills which will assist families and individuals to recreate safely in or around the water.  With that mission in mind DCR

will offer the American Red Cross levels 1, 2 and 3 swimming program, keeping our focus on water safety and basic stroke development. Allfacilities will have a certified Water Safety Instructor on sight to overseeand direct, the Learn to Swim Program.

Water Safety Instruction:

All classes will be under the direction of Water Safety Instructors who are certified by the American Red Cross.

Swim Lessons:

DCR will offer 2 three week sessions during the summer of 2011.

Session 1                                   July 5th to July 22nd

Session 2                                   July 25th to August 12th

Classes are scheduled for Monday through Friday (except holidays).

Please check with the pool manager prior to any class to verify dates, time and special instructions.

Additional classes may be available at individual pools across the state, please check with pool staff for details.

All classes will be 30 minutes in length.

Level 1 will start at 10:00 am.                Introduction to Water Skills

Level 2 will start at 10:30 am.                Fundamental Aquatic Skills

Level 3 will start at 11:00 am.                Stroke Development

Programming:

Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Learn-to-Swim

DCR will offer a three level Learn-to-Swim program that offers something for everyone. Our instructors are trained and certified by the American Red Cross, so swimmers of all ages and abilities are in good hands.

The prerequisite for each level is the successful demonstration of the skills from the preceding level, except for Level 1, which has no prerequisite. Each level of Learn-to-Swim includes training in basic water safety and helping others in an emergency.

Level 1: Introduction to Water Skills
Purpose: To begin developing positive attitudes, good swimming habits and safe practices in and around the water.

Prerequisites

None - Participants start at about the age of 6.

Level 1 participants learn to—

• Enter and exit water using ladder, steps or side.
• Blow bubbles through mouth and nose.
• Bobbing.
• Open eyes under water and retrieve submerged objects.
• Front and back glides and floats.
• Recover to vertical position.
• Roll over from front to back and back to front.
• Tread water using arm and hand actions.
• Alternating and simultaneous leg actions on front and back.
• Alternating and simultaneous arm action on front and back.
• Combined arm and leg actions on front and back.
• Learn how to stay safe, including recognizing an emergency and knowing how to call for help.
• Learn how to stay safe in, on and around water, including using a life jacket, recognizing lifeguards and sun safety.

Learn-to-Swim Level 1 participants receive a Raffy Learns to Swim full-color booklet that reinforces learning and provides parents with additional information about their child’s progress.

Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills
Purpose: Gives students success with fundamental skills.

• Enter and exit water by stepping or jumping from the side.
• Fully submerge and hold breath.
• Bobbing.
• Open eyes underwater, pick up a submerged object.
• Front and back glides and floats
• Front, jellyfish and tuck floats
• Roll from front to back and back to front.
• Recover to vertical position.
• Change direction of travel while swimming on front and back paddling.
• Tread water using arm and leg motions (chest-deep water).
• Combined arm and leg actions on front and back.
• Finning arm action.
• Learn how to stay safe, including recognizing an emergency, knowing how to call for help and perform simple non swimming assists.
• Learn how to stay safe in, on and around water, including using a life jacket, recognizing lifeguards and sun safety.
• Learn to look carefully before entering the water.
• Learn what to think about and do when exhausted or caught in a dangerous situation.

Learn-to-Swim Level 2 participants receive a Waddles in the Deep full-color booklet that reinforces learning and provides parents with additional information about their child’s progress.

Level 3: Stroke Development
Purpose: Builds on the skills in Level 2 through additional guided practice.

• Enter water by jumping from the side.
• Headfirst entries from the side in sitting and kneeling positions.
• Bobbing while moving toward safety.
• Back float.
• Survival floating.
• Rotary breathing.
• Change to vertical to horizontal position on front and back.
• Tread water.
• Flutter, scissors, dolphin and breaststroke kicks on front.
• Perform front crawl and elementary backstroke.
• Learn to look carefully before entering the water.
• Learn to perform simple non swimming assists.
• Learn to recognize, prevent and respond to cold water emergencies.

Learn-to-Swim Level 3 participants receive a Swimming and Water Safety Manual.

Registration:

How do I sign up for DCR’s Learn to Swim Program?

You can print and fill out the registration form and mail it to:

DCR Learn to Swim Program

251 Causeway Street, Suite 600

Boston, MA 02114

Attention: Bob Grahn

After you have mailed in your registration form:

The facility that you have chosen will call you to schedule an assessment of your child’s abilities for proper level placement. The call and the assessment will take place during the pool’s first week of operation.

All Pools will have additional registration for the Learn to Swim during the first week that the pool is open.