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.
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 and to ensure everyone’s health and safety. Please read the Aquatics Center Safety Protocols listed at the bottom of this page to learn more about what to expect for your child’s return to pools.
Registration is Open!
Registration is currently open for members interested in Spring Session 3 and Summer Session! Registration for Summer Session is open for all beginning April 23. Use the links and program codes to register.
Summer Session Dates: (1 class per week)
8-Week Summer Session: June 7 – July 31
Summer Intensive Lessons (2x/week)
Session 1: June 8– July 1
Session 2: July 6 – July 29
Member Cost: $128 per child/Non-Member Cost: $176 per child
VIEW SWIM LESSON DATES & TIMES
Group Swim Lesson Course Information:
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
Register 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 Program Code: 1AQSUN
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.
Register 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 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 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 Program Code: 1AQSTA
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.
Register 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 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 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 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 Program Code: 1AQFIS
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.
Register Program Code: 1AQFLY
For more information you can:
For more information, email Megan Baxa at MeganB@mcgawymca.org or call 847-475-7400 at x224 to speak with her directly.
Aquatics Center Safety Protocols – Group Lessons
As of 04/19/2021
Here’s what you can expect for your child’s return to the Aquatics Center:
- Health screening for all staff and participants prior to entry into the building. Staff will meet participants and their parent/guardian at the Maple Street door for health screening and entrance.
- Swimmers under the age of 5 will be accompanied by one parent or guardian to and from class. Swimmers 6 and older be accompanied by an Aquatics Supervisor to and from the class.
- Masks required for all staff and participants (when on deck)
- Instructors will wear face shields when in the water with swimmers and will wear masks when on deck.
- Socially distanced markers around the pool deck
- Limited swimmers in each class
- Parent/Child & Sunfish Levels, max 4 pairs per class (only one parent allowed to enter the Aquatics Center)
- Preschool Levels, max 3 swimmers per class
- Beginner/Intermediate School Age Levels, max 3 swimmers per class
- Advanced School Age Levels, max 4 swimmer per lane
- Disinfecting of high touch and common areas between groups
- Make-up lessons will not be permitted
- Locker rooms and towel service is not available at this time.
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.
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.
