To get started, just find the skill/age appropriate level for your child, and you can register online!
Expansion of Our Pilot Program
This year, as part of an Evanston 150 initiative, we were able to provide free swimming lessons to 120 children, promoting water safety and creating confident swimmers. Thanks to our partners and volunteers, this program is expanding next year when we will be teaching 530 kids how to swim! To read the news article, click on the link below:
What If Every Kid In Evanston Learned How To Swim?
Splash of Safety
With spring and summer approaching it is important to learn how to be safe around water. Youth grades K – 5 can join us for a free course designed for the non-swimmer that will cover the essentials of water safety.
Splash of Safety Registration Form
Camp Swim Clinics
Camp swim clinics give campers the opportunity to develop strategies for open water swimming. Swim instructors will work with campers developing stroke technique, endurance and treading. Registration is open to the community. Clinics are lead by Camp Echo Waterfront Director, Jeanette Hollingsworth.
Kick Start Your Year
Kick start your motivation with a swimming challenge. You pick the goal, and over the course of a month try and complete it. Swimmers who complete their goals within the time frame, will be rewarded with a prize from the McGaw YMCA. Kick Start is free and open to the community.
Parent/Child Lessons
Register 6 months to 3 years -Get your kids started having fun in the pool, right by your side!
Register Parent/Toddler Gym and Swim (Ages 1-4) – Adults and kids play together in an indoor playground and then have a 30-minute swim lesson.
8 Sessions Member: $160 Non-Member: $210
Register Sunfish (Ages 2½ to 4) – This course helps children transition from swimming with an adult to swimming alone with a floatation belt.
8 Sessions Member: $110 Non-Member: $210
Preschool and Kindergarten Lessons (Ages 3-5)
Register Pike – for beginners with few independent swimming skills.
Register Eel – for kids who can swim at least 5 ft on front, back, and side with a flotation belt.
Register Ray – swimmers learn more independent swim skills, strokes, and rhythmic breathing.
Register Starfish – swimmers refine their strokes and build endurance.
8 Sessions Member: $95 Non-Member: $150
Elementary & Middle School Lessons (Ages 6-13)
Register Polliwog – for beginners with few independent swimming skills.
Register Guppy – for kids comfortable in deep water to continue independent swim skill development.
Register Minnow – students who can swim one length front and back crawl refine their strokes and learn side breathing.
Register Fish (Intermediate I) – build endurance, improve basic stroke technique, and start learning butterfly.
Register Flying Fish/Shark (Intermediate II) – students build endurance on all six strokes and begin learning bilateral breathing and turns.
Register Porpoise – advanced level for students looking to develop leadership and rescue skills.
8 Sessions Member: $95 Non-Member: $150
Adult Lessons (Ages 13+)
Register Beginner – Non-swimmers learn fundamental water skills in the shallow end of the pool.
Register Advanced Beginner – Develop confidence and efficiency with the front crawl and back stroke in all areas of the pool. Participants also begin to learn the basics of breaststroke.
Register Intermediate – Build your stamina and technique for longer swims with the front crawl, back stroke, and breast stroke in addition skill instruction for flip turns and dives.
4 Sessions Member: $50 Non-Member: $85
For more information you can:
- Browse all current group lesson categories.
- Learn about our private swim lessons.
- E-mail Meaghan Hilton or call 847-475-7400 x 219 to speak with her directly.
