Life at McGaw has changed, but there are a few things that remain the same: our responsibility to serve the Evanston community in youth development, social responsibility, and healthy living.
Saturday Swim Lessons at McGaw
Swimming is an excellent way to get the physical activity needed for a healthy life. Starting in mid-November, McGaw is excited to offer a second session of Saturday swim lessons for our Minnow, Fish and Flying Fish levels for members ages 8-13 years old. The second session will run for four weeks.
Dates: February 20 and 27, March 6 and 13
Cost: $64 per child
Group Swim Lesson Course Information:
Swim Level: 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.
Classes Offered: Saturday, 10:00-10:30am, 10:45-11:15am & 11:30-12:00pm
Register Program Code: 1AQMIN
Swim Level: 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.
Classes Offered: Saturday, 10:00-10:30am & 11:30-12:00pm
Register Program Code: 1AQFIS
Swim Level: 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.
Classes Offered: Saturday, 10:45-11:15am
Register Program Code: 1AQFLY
Registration is currently open! These classes are available to McGaw members only. Use the links and program codes above to register.
Aquatics Center Safety Protocols
McGaw has put careful thought and planning into the return of our group swim lessons. Following guidance from the CDC, DCEO, and the City of Evanston Health Department, we’ve modified our pool policies, practices, and procedures to ensure a safe and fun experience for every swimmer. Here’s what you can expect for your child’s return to the Aquatics Center:
- Mandatory temperature checks and health screening prior to entry into the building
- Masks required at all times for all staff and participants over the age of 3 except while swimming
- Instructors will wear face coverings at all times and will remain on deck during lessons
- Socially distanced markers around the pool deck
- Limited swimmers in each lane (max 2 swimmers/lane at opposite sides of pool)
- Disinfecting of high touch and common areas between groups
- Staff will meet participants and their parent/guardian at the Maple Street door for health screening and entrance (note: only registered participants will be allowed in the Aquatic Center)
- Make-up lessons will not be permitted
- Towel service is not available at this time
- Please read the most recent information about Locker Rooms here.
Learn more about general McGaw’s safety protocols and what to do before you visit.
Pool Diagram with Socially Distanced Swim Classes
We’re so happy to welcome you back! Check the McGaw YMCA website often for announcements on additional Aquatics program options. We look towards the future with anticipation and excitement for the return of lessons.
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
Still having doubts about your child’s level? Email Erin at erins@mcgawymca.org or call 847-475-7400 x271.
Caregiver and Child Swim Classes (AGE: 6 months–3 years)
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
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
Preschool Lessons (AGE: 3–5 years)
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.
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.
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.
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.
School Age Lessons (AGE: 6–13 years)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
