To register, find your class, copy the program code, and click on the ‘Register’ button. You will be redirected to our registration system, where you can paste the code and sign up.
Living in our lakefront community, water safety is an invaluable life skill. From infant and parent/child classes to school age lessons, our swim lessons teach youth to become confident swimmers, developing strong techniques, knowledge, and experience.
To view specific dates and times of group swim lessons, please view our online Program Guide.
Register once and swim all year!
Aquatics now offers an updated and more convenient swim lesson format that aligns with the school calendar. Now we can provide continuous lessons from September 9–May 31, giving participants the flexibility of one-time registration and the consistency that leads to progress in the pool. No longer limited to sessions, you can register at any time, then pay a monthly rate as you go.
Registration is now open!
Swim Lesson Termination of Services Form
Holiday Breaks
Dec. 23-Jan. 5
To get started, just find the skill/age appropriate level for your child, and you can register online!
Preschool Program Overview
School Age Program Overview
Swim Lesson FAQs
Still having doubts about your child’s level? Email Erin at erins@mcgawymca.org or call 847-475-7400 x208 to set up a free trial class and evaluation!
Caregiver and Child Swim Classes (AGE: 6 months–3 years)
Monthly Rate for School Year 19–20: $55 M ($85 NM)
6 months to 2 and a half 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
Register Copy Program Code: 1AQPC
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
Register Copy Program Code: 1AQSUN
Preschool Lessons (AGE: 3–5 years)
Monthly Rate for School Year 19–20: $55 M ($85 NM)
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.
Register Copy Program Code: 1AQPIK
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.
Register Copy Program Code: 1AQEEL
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.
Register Copy Program Code: 1AQRAY
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.
Register Copy Program Code: 1AQSTA
School Age Lessons (AGE: 6–13 years)
Monthly Rate for School Year 19–20: $60 M ($88 NM)
Beginner 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.
Register Copy Program Code: 1AQPOLB
Advanced 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.
Register Copy Program Code: 1AQPOL
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.
Register Copy Program Code: 1AQGUP
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.
Register Copy Program Code: 1AQMIN
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.
Register Copy Program Code: 1AQFIS
Flying Fish and Shark – (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.
Register Copy Program Code: 1AQFLY
For more information you can:
Learn about our private swim lessons
E-mail Megan Baxa at MeganB@mcgawymca.org or call 847-475-7400 x224 to speak with her directly.
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.
