Fergus Falls YMCA Swim School
Swim School takes a safety-first approach, focusing on small class sizes, boosting confidence in the water, building student/instructor relationships, and allowing each student to progress at their own pace. Our lessons develop aquatic readiness, engage in underwater exploration, and teach children important water safety skills. We offer year-round lessons, quality instructors, and more! The Fergus Falls YMCA provides swimming lessons to swimmers of all ages and skill levels, from infants to adults! We also offer private lessons, semi-private lessons, and adaptive lessons for swimmers with special needs.
Fall Swim Lessons - Fergus Falls YMCA
The Fergus Falls Swim School offers weekly 30-minute lessons focusing on aquatic readiness and safety, taught by certified instructors for all ages and skill levels. Parents are asked to stay close for assistance. Class offerings are subject to demand and instructor availability.
Click on the levels below for descriptions, times and registration buttons.
>> Parent & Baby ( 6 - 18 mo )
Parents work with their 6-18 mo. baby on floating, submerging, hand/eye coordination, and more through games/songs.
| Session | Dates | Day | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 1 | Sept 13 - Oct 25 | Saturday | 10:00 - 10:30 am |
| Fall 2* | Nov 1 - Dec 13 | Saturday | 10:00 - 10:30 am |
*Fall 2: No classes Sat, Nov 29. Registration price is pre-adjusted for missed dates.
Member: $70 | Non-Member: $120
>> Parent & Child ( 19 - 35 mo )
Parents work with their 19-35 mo. toddler on floating, strength, breath control for submerging, and exiting the pool on their own
| Session | Dates | Day | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 1 | Sept 9 - Oct 21 | Tuesday | 5:30 - 6:00 pm |
| Fall 1 | Sept 13 - Oct 25 | Saturday | 10:00 - 10:30 am |
| Fall 2 | Oct 28 - Dec 9 | Tuesday | 5:30 - 6:00 pm |
| Fall 2* | Nov 1 - Dec 13 | Saturday | 10:00 - 10:30 am |
*Fall 2: No classes Sat, Nov 29. Registration price is pre-adjusted for missed dates.
Member: $70 | Non-Member: $120
>> Guppy ( Ages 3+ )
Children ages 3+ can begin getting comfortable in the water independent of their parents. Through patience and trust, children in this level will overcome their fear and eventually swim independently
| Session | Dates | Day | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 1 | Sept 9 - Oct 21 | Tuesday | 4:30 - 5:00 pm |
| Fall 1 | Sept 9 - Oct 21 | Tuesday | 5:00 - 5:30 pm |
| Fall 1 | Sept 11 - Oct 23 | Thursday | 8:50 - 9:20 am |
| Fall 1 | Sept 11 - Oct 23 | Thursday | 5:00 - 6:00 pm |
| Fall 1 | Sept 13 - Oct 25 | Saturday | 9:30 - 10:00 am |
| Fall 1 | Sept 13 - Oct 25 | Saturday | 10:30 - 11:00 am |
| Fall 2 | Oct 28 - Dec 9 | Tuesday | 4:30 - 5:00 pm |
| Fall 2 | Oct 28 - Dec 9 | Tuesday | 5:00 - 5:30 pm |
| Fall 2* | Oct 30 - Dec 11 | Thursday | 8:50 - 9:20 am |
| Fall 2* | Oct 30 - Dec 11 | Thursday | 5:00 - 6:00 pm |
| Fall 2* | Nov 1 - Dec 13 | Saturday | 9:30 - 10:00 am |
| Fall 2* | Nov 1 - Dec 13 | Saturday | 10:30 - 11:00 am |
*Fall 2: No classes Thurs, Nov 27 and Sat, Nov 29. Registration price is pre-adjusted for missed dates.
Member: $70 | Non-Member: $120
>> Starfish
Encouragement and positive reinforcement help kids become more confident floating on their front and back as well as kicking across the pool on their back independently.
| Session | Dates | Day | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 1 | Sept 9 - Oct 21 | Tuesday | 4:30 - 5:00 pm |
| Fall 1 | Sept 9 - Oct 21 | Tuesday | 5:30 - 6:00 pm |
| Fall 1 | Sept 11 - Oct 23 | Thursday | 8:15 - 8:45 am |
| Fall 1 | Sept 11 - Oct 23 | Thursday | 4:30 - 5:00 pm |
| Fall 1 | Sept 13 - Oct 25 | Saturday | 9:30 - 10:00 am |
| Fall 1 | Sept 13 - Oct 25 | Saturday | 10:30 - 11:00 am |
| Fall 2 | Oct 28 - Dec 9 | Tuesday | 4:30 - 5:00 pm |
| Fall 2 | Oct 28 - Dec 9 | Tuesday | 5:30 - 6:00 pm |
| Fall 2* | Oct 30 - Dec 11 | Thursday | 8:15 - 8:45 am |
| Fall 2* | Oct 30 - Dec 11 | Thursday | 4:30 - 5:00 pm |
| Fall 2* | Nov 1 - Dec 13 | Saturday | 9:30 - 10:00 am |
| Fall 2* | Nov 1 - Dec 13 | Saturday | 10:30 - 11:00 am |
*Fall 2: No classes Thurs, Nov 27 and Sat, Nov 29. Registration price is pre-adjusted for missed dates.
Member: $70 | Non-Member: $120
>> Froggie
Children will build on independent swimming skills by swimming longer distances and transitioning from swimming on their front to their back.
| Session | Dates | Day | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 1 | Sept 11 - Oct 23 | Thursday | 5:00 - 5:30 pm |
| Fall 1 | Sept 13 - Oct 25 | Saturday | 9:00 - 9:30 am |
| Fall 2* | Oct 30 - Dec 11 | Thursday | 5:00 - 5:30 pm |
| Fall 2* | Nov 1 - Dec 13 | Saturday | 9:00 - 9:30 am |
*Fall 2: No classes Thurs, Nov 27 and Sat, Nov 29. Registration price is pre-adjusted for missed dates.
Member: $70 | Non-Member: $120
>> Turtle
Swimmers will begin to define swim strokes like backstroke, front crawl, and elementary backstroke.
| Session | Dates | Day | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 1 | Sept 11 - Oct 23 | Thursday | 4:00 - 4:30 pm |
| Fall 1 | Sept 13 - Oct 25 | Saturday | 10:00 - 10:30 am |
| Fall 2* | Oct 30 - Dec 11 | Thursday | 4:00 - 4:30 pm |
| Fall 2* | Nov 1 - Dec 13 | Saturday | 10:00 - 10:30 am |
*Fall 2: No classes Thurs, Nov 27 and Sat, Nov 29. Registration price is pre-adjusted for missed dates.
Member: $70 | Non-Member: $120
>> Otter
Build skill, endurance, and confidence on swim strokes. Swimmers also learn dolphin kick, the timing of breaststroke, and will start to learn flip turns.
| Session | Dates | Day | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 1 | Sept 13 - Oct 25 | Saturday | 9:00 - 9:30 am |
| Fall 2* | Nov 1 - Dec 13 | Saturday | 9:00 - 9:30 am |
*Fall 2: No classes Sat, Nov 29. Registration price is pre-adjusted for missed dates.
Member: $70 | Non-Member: $120
>> Seal & Shark
Seal:
Participants progress by strengthening butterfly and breaststroke techniques and improving endurance by working to swim 150 yards continuously.
Shark:
Experienced swimmers will be able to swim multiple lengths of the pool in each of the competitive strokes: front crawl, butterfly, backstroke, and breaststroke. Swimmers will also be skilled in water safety, elementary backstroke, and sidestroke
| Session | Dates | Day | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 1 | Sept 9 - Oct 21 | Tuesday | 4:00 - 4:30 pm |
| Fall 1 | Sept 13 - Oct 25 | Saturday | 9:00 - 9:30 am |
| Fall 2* | Oct 28 - Dec 9 | Tuesday | 4:00 - 4:30 pm |
| Fall 2* | Nov 1 - Dec 13 | Saturday | 9:00 - 9:30 am |
*Fall 2: No classes Sat, Nov 29. Registration price is pre-adjusted for missed dates.
Member: $70 | Non-Member: $120
>> Private Swim Lessons
Private lessons are one-on-one scheduled class times! These lessons are great for those looking for specific skill development or those who prefer a one-on-one environment.
| Session | Dates | Day | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 1 | Sept 9 - Oct 21 | Tuesday | 4:00 - 4:30 pm |
| Fall 1 | Sept 9 - Oct 21 | Tuesday | 5:00 - 5:30 pm |
| Fall 1 | Sept 13 - Oct 25 | Saturday | 8:30 - 9:00 am |
| Fall 1 | Sept 13 - Oct 25 | Saturday | 11:00 - 11:30 am |
| Fall 2 | Oct 28 - Dec 9 | Tuesday | 4:00 - 4:30 pm |
| Fall 2 | Oct 28 - Dec 9 | Tuesday | 5:00 - 5:30 pm |
| Fall 2* | Nov 1 - Dec 13 | Saturday | 8:30 - 9:00 am |
| Fall 2* | Nov 1 - Dec 13 | Saturday | 11:00 - 11:30 am |
*Fall 2: No classes Sat, Nov 29. Registration price is pre-adjusted for missed dates.
Member: $225 | Non-Member: $315
For private lessons, please contact Anna Drenth, Aquatics & Recreation Director: SwimSchoolFergus@ymcanorthernsky.org
>> Semi-Private Lessons
These lessons allow your child to partner with a friend, family member or classmate to build swimming skills and confidence in the water together.
| Session | Dates | Member | Non-Member |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 1 | Sept 8 - Oct 25 | $350 | $400 |
| Fall 2* | Nov 1 - Dec 13 | $300 | $350 |
*Fall 2: No classes Sat, Nov 29. Registration price is pre-adjusted for missed dates.
Price listed is the total for 2 swimmers.
For semi-private lessons, please contact Anna Drenth, Aquatics & Recreation Director: SwimSchoolFergus@ymcanorthernsky.org
>> Adaptive Swim Lessons
The YMCA is happy to provide Adaptive Swimming Lessons to ensure participants of all needs and skill levels can learn water safety and enjoy the pool. These one-on-one lessons are for swimmers with special needs and are tailored towards the skills of each participant. Instructors will communicate with parents even more than usual to ensure that each swimmer is working towards an agreed-upon goal.
| Session | Dates | Member | Non-Member |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 1 | Sept 8 - Oct 25 | $70 | $120 |
| Fall 2* | Nov 1 - Dec 13 | $60 | $105 |
*Fall 2: No classes Sat, Nov 29. Registration price is pre-adjusted for missed dates.
For adaptive lessons, please contact Anna Drenth, Aquatics & Recreation Director: SwimSchoolFergus@ymcanorthernsky.org
Intro to Syncro - Fergus Falls YMCA
Ages 8 - 14
Discover the elegance and athleticism of synchronized swimming in our introductory class! Designed for beginners, this class will teach the basics of synchronized swimming, including fundamental techniques, routines, and teamwork. Participants will learn to perform synchronized movements in the water, enhancing their swimming skills, coordination, and confidence. Join us fora fun and engaging experience that combines swimming, dance, and gymnastics!
| Session | Dates | Day | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 1 | Sept 13 - Oct 25 | Saturday | 10:30 - 11:15 am |
| Fall 2* | Nov 1 - Dec 13 | Saturday | 10:30 - 11:15 am |
*Fall 2: No classes Sat, Nov 29. Registration price is pre-adjusted for missed dates.
Member: $70 | Non-Member: $120
Click Here To Register For Syncro
Make-Up Lessons:
Due to the size and format of the classes, there will be no make-up for missed classes.
YMCA Swim School Advantages & Structures
- Skill Patch Rewards: As each child progresses at their own pace, they will be recognized for their accomplishments with patches from the level they’ve completed.
- Small Class Sizes: Classes are held as a group and structured by age and ability to accommodate varying skill levels within each age group. Student-to-teacher ratios are 5:1 with Parent/Baby and Parent/Child classes 7:1.
- Certified Swim Lesson Instructors: The swim teachers are highly trained in safety, class management, and keeping children engaged with enthusiasm, imagination, and fun! All teachers are also CPR and First Aid certified.
- Year-Round Swimming: Consistency and practice are key to fine-tuning or retaining any skill on a more permanent basis. With our indoor pools, children can swim year-round and consistently build upon and progress in their skills.
- Safety Topics: Included in every lesson, your child will learn safety topics such as the ‘Throw Don’t Go’ method, life jacket usage, and additional instruction on what to do in the event of an emergency.