Welcome to the Elmhurst Park District Swim School! Aquatics programs are available during the summer for ages 6 months to adult. The Elmhurst Park District is an authorized provider of the Starfish Swim School Program ® through the Starfish Aquatics Institute (SAI). SAI is an innovative provider of training, certification, and risk reduction programs to the international aquatics community. All swim instructors are certified Starfish Swimming Instructors. All participants will be tested the first day to determine what stage they start in. Participants will advance to the next stage once they complete the benchmark skills; participants may advance through more than one stage in one session.

Early Childhood

Starbabies™ (Ages 6-23 months with adult)

The purpose of this course is to develop in very young children a high comfort level in the water while at the same time training the adults who accompany them in water safety and drowning prevention. This course does not teach children to become accomplished swimmers or to survive in the water; it does provide a confidence-building, fun and warm experience. One adult must be in the water with each child. Swim Diapers required.

Startots™ (Ages 24-36 months with adult)

The purpose of this course is to develop in very young children a high comfort level in the water while at the same time training the adults who accompany them in water safety and drowning prevention. This course does not teach children to become accomplished swimmers or to survive in the water; it does provide a confidence-building, fun, and warm experience. One adult must be in the water with each child. Swim Diapers required.

Preschool Swim School (Ages 3-5)

Designed to meet the needs of children ages 3 to 5, this course will develop a high comfort level in the water and a readiness to swim. For those children who are developmentally ready, it will teach functional swim skills. Instructors will introduce basic swimming skills through creative, fun activities in the water. Students will work towards achieving the benchmarks of each level at their own pace in a small-group setting.

Youth

Youth Swim School (Ages 6-12)

Students work toward developing the five core swimming competencies using age-appropriate learning activities. Learning is self-paced but challenging. Students work toward developing skills and progress toward achieving the benchmarks in a small group setting. This class is for the beginning to intermediate swimmer.

Stroke School (Ages 6-12)

This class is designed to refine freestyle and backstroke. Students will learn drills, turns and starts, as well as work on endurance. Swimmers must have passed the green stage of swim school or be able to swim freestyle at least half the length of the pool with good form and side breathing.

Advanced Stroke School (Ages 6-12)

Students will learn and refine butterfly and breaststroke, plus develop an understanding of basic training principles. Swimmers will learn drills, turns, starts, as well as work on endurance. Swimmers should be able to swim freestyle and backstroke at least 25 yards (1 length) with good form.

Adult Programs

Water Fitness (Ages 18 and up)

This program will help improve your cardiovascular system, strengthen your core and tone your muscles. It will integrate specific principles and creative movement progressions to motivate and challenge. Equipment (barbells and float belts) will be available. 

Diving Lessons

Beginning Diving Lessons (Ages 6-14)

Designed for the student with little or diving experience, participants can expect to learn headfirst entry from the side as well as headfirst entry from the diving board. Participants will be introduced to the three-step approach on the board with a jump. All participants should be able to swim at least one full length of the pool by the start of the first class.

Intermediate-Advanced Diving Lessons (Ages 6-14)

This level is for the participant who has either graduated from Beginning Diving Lessons, or who has had diving lessons before and is comfortable performing a headfirst entry from the diving board. Participants can expect to refine the three-step approach on the board with jump, learn the three-step approach with a dive and be introduced to front skills (tuck/pike dive, somersault) and back skills (back jump/dive). Advanced participants will learn a four-step approach.

Swim Camp

(Ages 6-12) A great opportunity for both the novice and the more experience swimmer to improve swimming skills. Each swimmer will work to improve skills at their own level. Swimmers will be placed into small groups by level to best facilitate learning. In addition to instructional swim, campers enjoy free swim, organized water activities and games and learn about water safety. Campers should bring a healthy snack, water bottle, bathing suit, goggles, sunscreen and towel each day. Each camper will receive a t-shirt.

Private Swim Lessons

The Elmhurst Park District offers private lessons for participants ages 3 to adult. All swim instructors undergo regular training and are certified Starfish Swim instructors. All Private Swim Lessons are 30 minutes long at varying times when the pool is open. Online registration will be available beginning June 26, 2022. Please email swimlessonsepd [dot] org for more information. Fees: $35R/$44NR per lesson.