General FAQ
Why are swim lessons important for children?
The world is 71% water. Kids are 100% curious. Help keep kids safe by equipping them with a life-long skill that teaches them safety, self reliance, and confidence. It's never too early or too late to enroll you child in lessons! We offer youth swim lessons for children as young as 6 months all the way to high school age and beyond.
How do I choose the best swim lesson for my child?
Our Lesson Selector Chart can help you determine which class is right for your child. If you have additional questions or need assistance with placing your child in the appropriate lesson, a member of our aquatics team can assist you.
Can adults sign up for swim lessons?
Yes, the YMCA offers adult swim lessons. Whether you have a fear of water or you're learning later in life, it's never too late to start! See our program guide for more details about adult swim class offerings.
If you have additional questions or concerns, reach out to a member of our aquatics team.
What are the key skills taught in Swim Lessons?
We teach our students a variety of skills, starting with swim basics and water safety all the way up to advanced swim strokes. Students learn how to float, tread water, execute different kicks & strokes, and swim for distances. Advanced swimmers work on swimming under water, and refining their technique for the backstroke, butterfly, breaststroke, and more.
What is the cancellation policy for swim lessons?
As per the private swim lesson policies:
- Swimmers must notify their instructor directly a minimum of 12 hours in advance to cancel their session.
- Each swimmer is allowed one free short notice (less than 12 hours) cancellation. Subsequent occurrences and/or no-show sessions are not eligible for free cancellation and will be billed.
- If a swimmer cannot complete a full session for any reason, they are billed for a full session.
- If the YMCA or instructor cancels a session, the swimmer will not be billed.
For group swim lessons:
We ask that you carefully review your cart to ensure that your desired days, times, & locations are accurate before you check out, as changes due to errors can only be made if there are existing openings.
If you withdraw from a program prior to the first day of the session, the YMCA will issue a credit voucher for the class.
Refunds will only be issued for a medical reason and a Doctor's note must be provided to the program director.
Any credit/refund made after the start of a session will be prorated at the discretion of the aquatics director.
All programs have a minimum enrollment number. Programs with fewer participants may be combined or cancelled. If this occurs, you will have the option of receiving a full refund/credit, or switching to another similarly priced program or class.
If your child misses a class for any reason, they are not able to make up a class in another time slot, as the YMCA is required to maintain certain instructor to participant ratios.
Are there any prerequisites for swim lessons?
The Y offers swim lessons based on age and ability level. We recommend following the natural progression of our program.
What is the minimum age requirement for enrolling a child in swim lessons?
Children may start swim lessons as early as 6 months old.
Is it normal to retake the same stage again?
Yes. Swimmers' progress is based on their abilities and their comfort level with being in the water, and it is normal for a swimmer to repeat a swim stage until the swimmer masters the skills learned in the class.
How do I register my child/myself for swim lessons?
Conveniently register for swim lessons online or at the front desk of either location.
Use the button below to log in to the Y's registration software. Once logged in, use the search feature to find specific class offerings, or check which category you're interested in viewing on the left-hand side of your screen.
*Please note that if you do not already have an account with the YMCA's program registration software, you will be asked to sign up for a free account in order to view class details & complete your registration.*
Do YMCA members get a discount on swim lessons?
Yes, YMCA members enjoy a member rate which is applied to all of the Y's programs, including swim lessons.
If I'm not a member, can I still take swim lessons at the Y?
You do not need a membership to take swim lessons at the Y. Most Oshkosh YMCA programs are available to both members and guests.
Looking to save on swim lessons? Become a member and enjoy a lower rate!
How much do swim lessons cost?
The cost of swim lessons varies depending on the lesson type and membership status. Prices are outlined in our program guide.
Private Swim Lessons FAQ
How do I purchase private lessons?
Private lessons must be purchased either in-person or over the phone as a pre-paid package. At this time, private lessons cannot be purchased online.
How many lessons are in a session/how many can I sign up for?
Unlike group swim lessons, private lessons do not have a set number of sessions. You may sign up for as many sessions as you feel are necessary. You must communicate with the aquatics coordinator & instructor to set up your sessions and/ or to determine the number of sessions you need.
How can I check my payment status?
To check if you have any unpaid lessons, contact the aquatics coordinator.
Since private lessons cannot be purchase online and are not billed automatically, they will not show up as a debt on your account in the Y system.
How do I know how many lessons I have left?
Please contact the aquatics coordinator and they will be able to tell you how many lessons you have left on your pre-paid package.
Are there private swim lessons available for persons with special needs?
Yes, the YMCA offers adapted private swim lessons for individuals with special needs. Mention in your interest form that you require adapted lessons and our aquatics team will assist you from there.