Learn-to-Swim
The award-winning Galter Life Center Learn-to-Swim program is designed for children 3-8 years old who have advanced through our Aquababies program and/or are ready to learn to swim independently in a group setting. The On-Deck Lead will keep you informed of your child’s progress and will address your needs.
Children must be able to perform all of the skills taught in the preceding Learn-to-Swim group before being allowed to participate in higher-level classes. In the Learn-to-Swim program children will start to learn basic independent skills and body movement in a safe and comfortable environment. The instructors are trained to implement the Galter Life Center aquatic standard and are also Red Cross certified. We provide a 4 to 1 student to instructor ratio and ensure safety by using tailored made standing platforms in the water.
There are five main levels in our Learn-to-Swim program based on the child’s current ability.
Registration Information
Register for classes online during open registration under courses on the My Wellness portal.
Member registration opens 2 weeks in advance of class date. Nonmember registration opens 1 week in advance. Registration will only be accepted under the child participant’s name. If your child does not have an active account, please call the Courtesy Desk at 773-878-9936, ext. 5660 for assistance.
Before your first class:
Download the Learn-to-Swim Policy and Liability waiver that must be signed on the first day of class. Please bring in completed to speed up the registration process.
Please take a moment to review our pool area and locker room rules for children and parents here>.
Curriculum for the Learn-to-Swim program include:
Learn-to-Swim 1
- Entering/Exiting water safely
- Blowing bubbles with mouth and nose
- Submerging face while supported
- Floating on front and back without support
- Kicking on front and back while supported
- Pushing off bench to instructor with face in water
- Jumping into the pool with assistance
View the dates of our Learn-to-Swim 1 class sessions>
Learn-to-Swim 2
- Submerging and recovering face in water, with repetition
- Retrieving submerged objects from the bottom of the pool
- Doggie paddling unsupported for 5 yards
- Kicking on front and back unsupported for 5 yards
- Jumping into the pool unassisted
View the dates of our Learn-to-Swim 2 class sessions>
Learn-to-Swim 3
- Streamlining on front and back while supported
- Performing the front crawl for 5 yards
- Introduction to lateral breathing
- Performing the backstroke for 5 yards
- Performing the elementary backstroke with arms and legs while supported
View the dates of our Learn-to-Swim 3 class sessions>
Learn-to-Swim 4
- Streamlining on front and back with flutter kick
- Performing the front crawl with lateral breathing for 10 yards
- Performing the backstroke for 10 yards
- Performing the elementary backstroke for 10 yards
View the dates of our Learn-to-Swim 4 class sessions>
Learn-to-Swim 5
- Performing the front crawl for 25 yards
- Performing the backstroke for 25 yards
- Performing the elementary backstroke for 25 yards
- Performing the breaststroke pull for 10 yards
- Performing the breaststroke kick for 10 yards
View the dates of our Learn-to-Swim 5 class sessions>
For more information on our aquatics programs contact MaryCate Banaszkiewicz at 773-878-9936, ext. 8015, or email mbanaszkiewicz@schosp.org