Living in our lakefront community, water safety is an invaluable life skill. At the Y, we offer a wide selection of infant and parent/child classes to school-age and adult swim lessons. Our swim program teaches participants to become confident swimmers, developing strong techniques, water safety knowledge, and experience.
Our 2022-23 Swim Lesson Session will run from September 13 – May 28. With our updated program format, you only need to register once. Continuous lessons will be offered until May 28. With more weeks offered during the year than previous session options, this leads to increased progress in the pool.
Registration begins July 18 for McGaw Y members. Registration will open to the public on July 25. View class schedules and fee information at the registration links below.
Parent & Child Lessons (6 Months-13 years)
Use the resources below to find the skill/age-appropriate level for your child.
LESSON SELECTOR – AGES 6 MONTHS – 5 YEARS
Parent/Toddler Swim A – (Ages 6 months to 2.5 years) – (Level A) Parents accompany children in this stage, which introduces infants and toddlers to the aquatic environment through exploration and encourages them to enjoy themselves while learning about water. 30-Minute Lessons.
Parent/Toddler Swim B – SUNFISH (Ages 2.5 – 3 years) – (Level B) Parents work with their children to explore body positions, blowing bubbles, and fundamental safety and aquatic skills. 30-Minute Lessons.
VIEW CLASS SCHEDULES & REGISTER FOR PARENT/CHILD LESSONS
Preschool Lessons (3-5 years)
Use the resources below to find the skill/age-appropriate level for your child.
LESSON SELECTOR – AGES 6 MONTHS – 5 YEARS
Preschool Swim 1 – PIKE – (Level 1) Students develop comfort with underwater exploration and learn to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water. This stage lays the foundation that allows for a student’s future progress in swimming.
Preschool Swim 2 – EEL – (Level 2) Students focus on body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water while also continuing to practice how to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water. Students should be comfortable with blowing bubbles and basic swim skills with limited instructor support.
Preschool Swim 3 – RAY – (Level 3) Students learn how to swim to safety from a longer distance than in previous stages. This stage also introduces rhythmic breathing and integrated arm and leg actions. Students begin to build endurance with no instructor support.
Preschool Swim 4 – STARFISH – (Level 4) Students continue to develop stroke technique in front crawl and back crawl and learn breaststroke basics. Water safety is reinforced through treading water and elementary backstroke.
VIEW CLASS SCHEDULES & REGISTER FOR PRESCHOOL LESSONS
School Age Lessons (6-13 years)
Use the resources below to find the skill/age-appropriate level for your child.
LESSON SELECTOR – AGES 6 – 13 YEARS
Swim Program Overview School-Age
School Age Swim 1 BEG. POLLIWOG – (Level 1) Students develop comfort with underwater exploration and learn to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water. This stage lays the foundation that allows for a student’s future progress in swimming.
School Age Swim 2 ADV. POLLIWOG – (Level 2) Students focus on body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water while also continuing to practice how to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water. Students should be comfortable with blowing bubbles and basic swim skills with limited instructor support.
School Age Swim 3 – GUPPY – (Level 3) Students learn how to swim to safety from a longer distance than in previous stages. This stage also introduces rhythmic breathing and integrated arm and leg actions. Students begin to build endurance with no instructor support.
School Age Swim 4 – MINNOW – (Level 4) Students continue to develop stroke technique in front crawl and back crawl and learn breaststroke basics. Water safety is reinforced through treading water and elementary backstroke.
School Age Swim 5 – FISH – (Level 5) Students work on stroke technique and learn all major competitive strokes. The emphasis on water safety continues through treading water and sidestroke. Students should be able to swim 50 yards with confidence.
School Age Swim 6 – FLYING FISH – (Level 6) Students refine stroke technique on all major competitive strokes, learn about competitive swimming, and discover how to incorporate swimming into a healthy lifestyle. Students should be able to swim 100 yards with confidence.
VIEW CLASS SCHEDULES & REGISTER FOR SCHOOL AGE LESSONS
Adult Lessons (Ages 14+)
Adult Swim Lessons (Agest 14+) – Adults will learn the basic skills needed to be safe in and around water, such as floating, arm and leg action, water movement, and breath control.
Adult Swim Lessons – Intermediate (Ages 14+) – Swimmers continue to build endurance by working toward swimming 50 yards and refining techniques, including side breathing, kicks, and pulls. Located in the 6-lane pool for swimmers who can already swim 25 yards.
VIEW CLASS SCHEDULES & REGISTER FOR ADULT LESSONS
Aquatics Center Safety Protocols
Learn more about McGaw’s safety protocols and what to do before your next visit.
Group Lessons Information
Frequently Asked Questions. Please read our Swim Lesson FAQs to find answers to frequently asked questions. For additional support, please contact the McGaw YMCA Aquatics Department at call 847-475-7400 ext. 271 to speak with a Team Member!
Payment Plan. Program fees for swim lessons will be charged on the 1st of every month, beginning October 1 and ending May 1. If you need to update your credit card information, please visit the “Payment and Order Management” section of your online account in our registration system.
Evaluations. Swimmers will receive a certificate every two months, tracking the skills they are working on and have achieved. Swimmers will be promoted to a new level, based on skills and age, at these times.
Cancelation. Our 2022-23 Swim Lesson Session will end on May 28. Should you choose to withdraw your swimmer before May 28, a withdrawal fee will be applied. The fee will be equal to your monthly program fee.
Evanston Swims!
Evanston Swims is a free swimming and water safety instruction program for second graders at specific District 65 schools. It runs at the Y and the YWCA throughout the school year and is an initiative of Evanston 150 in partnership with School District 65, the YWCA Evanston/North Shore, the McGaw YMCA and Goldfish Swim School. The goal of this program is to teach every child in Evanston how to swim and it runs once a month on District 65’s schools’ half days.
