2026 summer swimming lessons at Scottsbluff YMCA

Lessons will be available at the YMCA as well as the Trails West Camp Pool.

Sessions will run Monday through Thursday for two weeks, with start dates on June 1, June 15, July 6 and July 20.

Mommy / Daddy & Me

• For children ages 1 to 3 years of age.
• An adult is required to be in the water with the child at all times. The class will work on a variety of skills to set the stage for further learning, but the primary focus is on comfort in the water and safety skills.
• Main focuses:
• Comfortable with face in the water
• Back floats
• Front floats
• Front and back glides

Level 1: Meeting the pool

• Primarily for those who are in swim lessons for the first time. The class will work on a variety of skills to set the stage for further learning, but the primary focus is on comfort in the water and safety skills.
• Test-out skills for Level 1 and prerequisites for Level 2:
• Submerge head without plugging nose or choking
• Back float unassisted for 3 seconds
• Front float unassisted for 3 seconds
• Front and back glide

Level 2: Foundations of swimming

• Swimmers continue to build on their Level 1 skills while becoming more independent. While in Level 3 the focus will be more on form and endurance, at this level swimmers are still encouraged to move themselves forward by any means necessary.
• Test-out skills for Level 2 and prerequisites for Level 3:
• Bob 10 times with minimal pausing
• Back float unassisted for 10 seconds
• Front float unassisted for 5 seconds
• Tread water unassisted for 10 seconds
• Front and back glide for two body lengths unassisted
• Swim the length of the therapy pool unassisted

Level 3: Meeting the strokes / building endurance

Level 3 focuses on introducing stroke techniques and building swimmer endurance, building on the foundations developed in earlier levels.

Level 4: Mastering the strokes

• This is the level to fully develop all the strokes that swimmers met in Level 3. Working through these, students will have a variety of ways to move through the water, some fast, some relaxing and all efficient.
• Goals for Level 4 swimmers include:
• Back float unassisted for 5 minutes
• Tread water unassisted for 2 minutes
• Swimming full pool lengths with well-developed:
• Front crawl
• Back crawl
• Elementary backstroke
• Breaststroke
• Sidestroke
• Butterfly

Level 5: Advanced tracks

5L: Lifeguard track

• Will focus on skills needed to complete the lifeguarding course.
• Will also incorporate useful skills for future swim lesson instructors.

5S: Swim team track

• Will focus on preparing for competitive swim team.
• Introduction to flip turns, starting blocks and more.

Adult lessons

• For individuals 16 years of age and older.
• This class is designed for adults who are not yet strong swimmers. Participants can guide their own priorities, with a teacher on hand to provide pointers, drills and structured progression as adult learners pursue their goals.