Swimming Lessons
ALL SCHEDULES & OPERATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Sign-up for Swim Lessons in De Pere!
The De Pere Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department Swim Lesson Program helps swimmers of all skills and abilities develop their swimming and water safety skills. The program is designed to give students a positive learning experience while progressing steadily through the skills. Each level includes swimming skills as well as water safety lessons both for pools and open water.
Parents are welcome to observe lessons from outside the swim area (outside the fence). Pool access is only available to swim lesson participants during program times.
A minimum of 4 registrants will be required to hold a class. A maximum of 6 registrants in level 1 through level 3 classes will be accepted, 10 for all other levels. The department will try to accommodate as many registrants as possible, which may include combining classes/levels.
Traditional group swim lessons and private lessons are offered.
AM Group Swim Lesson Times |
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Monday - Thursday
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| 9:30 – 10:00 am | |
| 10:05 – 10:35 am | |
| 10:40 – 11:10 am | |
| 11:15 - 11:45 am |
AM group lessons are 30-minute classes offered at one location four days a week for three weeks at a time. Camp participants are encouraged to sign up for the 9:30 am class hour to ensure camp staff can accommodate.
PM Group Swim Lesson Times |
Monday and Wednesday
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| 6:00 - 6:45 PM |
| 6:50 PM - 7:35 PM |
PM group lessons are 45 minutes in length, offered with a dual location, twice a week, and run for 4 weeks at a time. Dual location means one class session will be held at the VFW Aquatic Facility (Mondays) and the other will be held at Legion Pool (Wednesdays).
Swim lesson cancellations and make-ups
Pools will be closed if unsafe conditions exist (lightening, unseasonable cold, hard rain). Closures are at the discretion of park and recreation staff. If at all possible, classes will be held. Land based classes may be held instead of in water classes depending on the weather. If classes are cancelled a pro-rated account credit will be issued to all affected participants. No makeups will be offered for group lessons.
A SMS message & email will be sent out through our registration software in case of cancellations. The program cancellation line is (339-4067) will be updated if lessons are canceled during the week. You are also encouraged to follow the De Pere Parks, Recreation & Forestry Facebook Page, which posts updates on pool closures during business hours.
Ready to sign-up for swim lessons?
To sign-up your child for private swim lessons in De Pere, please review the level descriptions and registration guidelines below. To sign up for or view current swim lesson openings, click here.
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Registration for Private Swim Lessons
Please Note:
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Swim Levels
Below is a breakdown on swim levels and the skills they will be working on in that level. If you are unsure what level to enroll in, contact the Parks and Recreation Supervisor at 920-339-4066 and we will help you choose the appropriate class.
PARENT/CHILD (6 MO. – 3 YRS.)
Participants will be familiarized with water through exploration, songs, play and basic swim skills in this introductory level. Instructors provide general safety information for parents in various water settings such as pools and home. Skills can be scaled for each participant based on age and ability.
Participants are ready to enter Level 1 when they listen to an instructor in a group setting, follow basic instructions, & are within the age requirements.
LEVEL 1A (3 – 5 YRS.)
Participants will learn about blowing bubbles, putting face in water, back and front float with assistance, front crawl
arm action, exit water on their own, games that assist with water acclimation and basic water movements (kicking, arm action, breath control). Our focus is on water acclimation, fun, and comfort in the water.
LEVEL 1B (3 - 5 YRS.)
Participants will expand on skills learned in Level 1A and focus more on independent movement in the water. They will
enter & exit water independently, front and back float with support, 3 bobs, blow bubbles, front and back crawl with assistance. Our focus is on skills needed to progress to Level 2 while having fun in the water.
Unless exceptionally advanced, students should remain in Level 1B until they age up into the next lesson age group.
LEVEL 2 (6-12 YRS.)
Participants will learn to fully submerge head & hold breath for 3 seconds, jump into water, 10 bobs, front float and
back float unassisted for 5 seconds, front & back glide 2 body lengths, front and back crawl unassisted 5 yards, retrieve a submerged object 2 times assisted. Our focus is on developing comfort in the water and independent movement.
LEVEL 3 (6-12 YRS.)
Participants will enter water by jumping in from the side into deep water, retrieve a submerged object 2 times unassisted, front & back glide 5 body lengths, tread water for 30 seconds, front crawl with rotary breathing 15 yards, back crawl 15 yards, elementary backstroke kick 15 yards, headfirst entry from the side in a sitting & kneeling position. Our focus is on developing endurance and learning additional strokes.
LEVEL 4 (6+ YRS.)
Participants will learn front crawl with rotary breathing 25 yards, back crawl 25 yards, elementary backstroke 15
yards, breaststroke & sidestroke (scissors) kick 15 yards, front and back open turns, tread water for 2 minutes (using two different kicks), standing front dive from side of pool, feet first surface dive, survival swimming for 30 seconds. Our focus is on developing endurance and learning additional strokes.
LEVEL 5 (6+ YRS.)
Participants will focus on developing the ability to swim front crawl with alternate breathing 50 yards, back crawl 25 yards, elementary backstroke 25 yards, sidestroke and breaststroke 15 yards, dolphin kick 15 yards, tread water for 5 minutes (using two different kicks), tuck and pick surface dives, long shallow dive, survival swimming for 1 minute. Our focus is on developing endurance and fine-tuning strokes.
LEVEL 6 (6+ YRS.)
Participants will focus on developing the ability to swim front crawl and back crawl 100 yards, breaststroke and sidestroke 25 yards, butterfly 15 yards, front and back flip turns, open turn (sidestroke), tread water for 6 minutes (1 minute w/o hands, 2 minutes w/ hands x 2), speed turn and pull out for breaststroke, surface dive & retrieve an object from the bottom (8-10 ft. deep). Our focus is on developing swim team techniques & endurance.
GOGGLES: For levels 1-3 we do not recommend goggles because children need to learn to be comfortable in the water without any aids. However, with the upper-level classes, goggles are recommended as students are expected to spend a significant amount of time doing a variety of skills with their faces in the water. Goggles will help to reduce eye irritation. Please note: mask type goggles with the nose piece attached are prohibited during lessons. Masks such as these inhibit breath control and underwater nasal exhalation which is imperative for successful completion of the swim skills learned in the upper levels.
CLASS PROGRESSION: Please verify your child’s next class level with their current instructor. Swimmers do not automatically advance to the next level.
Swimming students age 12 and older may find private lessons are a better fit than group swim lessons. If you have any questions regarding the best fit for your needs, please contact us at the Community Center! 920-339-4097
Competitive Swim Program
Swimmers entering 8th grade through age 21 can participate in our competitive swimming program at VFW Aquatic Facility. A morning schedule without all the complication of swim meets will keep your busy swimmer conditioned for competition, while allowing ample time to enjoy other summer activities.
Coached by Melissa Wolf and a few other local coaches, participants can expect progressive workouts, technical feedback, and a team atmosphere. Participants must be able to swim 100 yards of continuous freestyle with rhythmic breathing prior to beginning program.
