Swimming

Swim Department

Making a splash,
one level at a time

Every camper swims at their own level, from first splashes to deep-water strokes. Here’s what each group works on.

1
Level 1

Guppies

Water comfort & awareness

  • Enter and exit water safely
  • Blow bubbles through mouth and nose
  • Submerge mouth, nose, and eyes
  • Change directions while walking or paddling
  • Explore front float and back float with support
  • Identify a lifeguard
  • Learn to call for help
2
Level 2

Goldfish

Fundamental skills (beginner)

  • Front float, “jellyfish float” (assisted)
  • Back float (assisted)
  • Enter water by sliding into pool (assisted)
  • Exit water by climbing out using side of pool (assisted)
  • Submerge entire head while blowing bubbles
  • Explore swimming on front and back using arm and leg actions with support
3
Level 3

Minnows

Fundamental skills (intermediate)

  • Submerge head, open eyes and blow bubbles while retrieving an item in shallow water
  • Independent front float, “jellyfish float,” 10 seconds
  • Flutter kick with barbell (assisted)
  • Independent back float 10 seconds
  • Submerge entire head, open eyes and retrieve a submerged item in shallow water
  • Swim on front and back using combined arm and leg actions with minimal assistance
4
Level 4

Salmon

Fundamental skills (advanced)

Builds on Levels 1, 2, and 3 through additional guided practice.

  • Independently roll over from front to back and back to front
  • Tread water using arm and leg motions (chest-deep water)
  • Independent front and back glides
  • Front crawl and flutter kicks
  • Back crawl arms and kicks
  • Jumping into water over their head
  • Proficient in bobbing with head fully submerged
  • Tread water 2 minutes
5
Level 5

Dolphin

Stroke development (deep-water beginner)

This level requires successful completion of the deep-water test.

  • Swim front and back crawl 25 yards
  • Tread for a minimum of 1 minute
  • Front glide / back glide
  • Breaststroke, front and back swim stroke
  • Jumping into deep water
  • Diving from kneeling position
  • Submerge and retrieve objects from deep water
6
Level 6

Shark

Stroke development (intermediate deep-water swimmer)

  • Change from horizontal to vertical position on front and back
  • Perfect front and back glide with 2 different kicks
  • Back float
  • Crawl with side breathing
  • Intro to turning at wall
  • Treading water with modified scissors kick
  • Diving from standing position

Safety first, always

From the very first level, every camper learns to identify a lifeguard and how to call for help.