Locations & Registration

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American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Program

With JCC’s swim classes, your little ones turn into fish! They swim in small “schools” with excellent teacher: student ratios. Please note: Make-ups are not provided for group swim lesson absences.

6–36 months

Parent–Tot

Children are never too young to learn basic swimming skills. Join us with your child and become familiar with the pool environment together. Please bring a bathing suit, swim diaper, rubber pants for your child and towels.

3 years & up

Level 1: Introduction to Water Skills

Level 1 helps the student learn to put their face in the water, float on front/back (supported) and feel some independence in the water. Supported swimming arms begin in this level.

Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills

Students work on water skills learned in Level 1 and begin floating and kicking on their own (front/back). To pass Level 2, your child will swim independently (front/back). Treading water will complete this level.

Level 3: Stroke Development

The objective of Level 3 is to build on Level 2 skills through additional guided practice. Children refine their front and back stroke and are introduced to the butterfly and sidestroke kicks, and the complete elementary backstroke. Students also learn rules for safe diving and begin to learn how to dive. Children must be completely water safe on their front and back to join this class.

Level 4: Stroke Improvement

Level 4 develops confidence in the strokes learned thus far and to improve on other aquatic skills. Students focus on increasing endurance through swimming familiar strokes for greater distances. New skills introduced are butterfly arms, backstroke, breaststroke and sidestroke.

Level 5: Stroke Refinement

Level 5 focuses on the coordination and refinement of the keystrokes. This level introduces flip turns, feet-first surface dives and fine-tuning of technique for all strokes. Children must be able to complete 25 yards of front crawl and elementary backstroke, as well as 15 yards of breaststroke and butterfly to join this class

Jr. Swim Club

(Bernard Weinger JCC only)
Designed for Level 5 swimmers, Junior Swim Club offers fun and motivating aerobic workouts focusing on stroke technique, endurance, strength and general fitness.

Guard Start Boys and Girls Only Classes (Bernard Horwich JCC only)
So you want to be a lifeguard? Swimmers who have completed Level 5 in the Learn to Swim program can start to acquire the knowledge and skills they’ll need to be lifeguards when they turn 15. Swimmers continue to refine their strokes. Guard Start will challenge participants to go to the next level and encourage continued aquatic involvement.

Private Swim Lesson Instruction

Instructors will work with you or your children to create an individualized program that meets you and your child’s specific needs. Lessons are offered on an instructor availability basis only.

Class Locations and Registration

Bernard Weinger JCC (Northbrook)   

Call 224.406.9200 for more information.
REGISTRATION: Please Call

Bernard Horwich JCC (Rogers Park)

Call 773.516.5855 for more information.
REGISTRATION: Click to download the info flyer (PDF) 

Mayer Kaplan JCC (Skokie)

Call 773.516.5855 for more information.
REGISTER ONLINE: Click here  

Florence G. Heller JCC (Lakeview)

Call 773.966.1065 for more information.
REGISTER ONLINE: Click here  

Hyde Park JCC (Hyde Park)

Call 773.966.1065 for more information.
REGISTER ONLINE: Click here  

Anita M. Stone Community Center (Flossmoor)

Call 708.799.7650 for more information.
See you next summer!