Youth Swim Lessons
We plan to offer limited private youth swimming lessons May 3; May 10 and 17; May 31 and June 7, 2025.
We plan to offer private (one child) and semi-private (two children of same age and skill level) swim lessons this spring.
- One lesson: May 3
- Two lesson sessions: May 10 and 17; May 31 and June 7
- Our goal is to provide an active, experiential, and fun learning experience for all.
- Please contact Jackie Cowan James for more information.
When and where are the lessons, and how long do they last?
Spring classes will take place on Saturdays. Each class lasts 30 minutes and takes place in the Student Recreation Center pool.
Youth swim lessons are a fun and gentle way to keep your child moving and develop their endurance, flexibility, strength, and posture while also promoting heart and lung health. We offer lessons for every skill level, from those afraid of water to experienced swimmers.
Who can attend?
Open to all children 4–14 years old.
When and where are the lessons, and how long do they last?
Fall classes will take place on Saturdays. Each class lasts 30 minutes and takes place in the Student Recreation Center pool.
What curriculum do you use?
The UO Student Recreation Center is an independent, authorized provider of Starfish Swimming—a nationally recognized swim instruction curriculum developed by the Starfish Aquatics Institute (SAI).
The Starfish Swimming curriculum is designed for students ages 6-months to adult. Benchmarks are established at each stage in the program that combines both swimming and safety skills. Students participate in experiential learning activities that allow them to explore the water in a creative and comfortable environment. Correct swimming techniques are taught from the very beginning, providing an easy transition to swim team.
Online Registration
All families will need to have an account created through our Online Access Request Form. If you have completed the form before, test your login information before your camper's registration day. UO affiliates need to have a completed form as well, as it is the only way to ensure that you receive the correct pricing for each camper (we cannot refund you the price difference afterward if you do not have the correct affiliation). It can take up to two business days to receive your login credentials or account update.
To facilitate the demand for our limited private swim lesson offerings, we will be opening registration at noon on the Wednesday prior to the session dates.
- May 3 lesson: Registration opens April 30 at noon.
- May 10 and 17 session: Registration opens May 7 at noon.
- May 31 and June 7 session: Registration opens May 28 at noon.
The online registration portal can be found on RecWeb. Scroll down, click on “Youth and Family,” and you’ll see the lesson options once they are available.
StarTots™ (ages 18 months–3 years)
The purpose of this course is to teach and encourage young children to be more comfortable in water, while training family in water safety and drowning prevention. This course does not teach children to become accomplished swimmers or to survive in the water; it does provide a confidence-building, fun, and loving experience. At least one adult must accompany each child in the water.
Spring Session 2
| 18 months–3 years | May 2–30 | 10:50–11:20 a.m. |
Starfish Swim School (ages 3–12 years)
These courses will develop a high comfort level in the water and a readiness to swim. For children who are developmentally ready, it will teach functional swim skills. This class approaches teaching swimming through creative, fun activities in the water. Students work toward developing the five competencies and progress toward achieving the benchmarks at their own pace in a small group setting.
Stage White: Trust and Submersion
Your child is afraid of water and cannot swim at all. They will not get their face wet.
Spring Session 2
| 3–5 years | May 2–30 | 10:15–10:45 a.m. |
Stage Red: Body Position and Air Recovery
Your child swims with support, and loves the water. They will get their face wet and jump into the water.
Spring Session 2
| 3–5 years | May 2–30 | 10:15–10:45 a.m. | |
| 3–5 years | May 2–30 | 10:50–11:20 a.m. | |
| 3–5 years | May 2–30 | 11:25–11:55 a.m. | |
| 3–5 years | May 2–30 | noon–12:30 p.m. |
Stage Yellow: Submersion
Your child is not afraid of the water. They can float, jump into the water, and return to the surface.
Spring Session 2
| 4–5 years | May 2–30 | 10:15–10:45 a.m. | |
| 4–5 years | May 2–30 | 10:50–11:20 a.m. | |
| 4–5 years | May 2–30 | 11:25–11:55 a.m. | |
| 4–5 years | May 2–30 | noon–12:30 p.m. | |
| 6–12 years | May 2–30 | noon–12:30 p.m. |
Stage Blue: Body Rotation
Your child can swim underwater or on the surface, and can get an occasional breath.
Spring Session 2
| 3-5 years | May 2–30 | noon-12:30 p.m. | |
| 6–12 years | May 2–30 | 11:25–11:55 a.m. |
Stage Green: Integrated Movement
Your child can tread water for at least 15 seconds, jump into the water, and swim freestyle.
Spring Session 2
| 6–12 years | May 2–30 | 10:50–11:20 a.m. | |
| 6–12 years | May 2–30 | noon–12:30 p.m. |
Starfish Stroke School™ (ages 6–14 years)
Your child has achieved a Green Starfish Swim School Award. Students will refine freestyle and learn stroke technique for backstroke, butterfly, breaststroke, and more.
Stage White: Freestyle and Intro to Backstroke
Spring Session 2
| 6–14 years | May 2–30 | 10:15–10:45 a.m. | |
| 6–14 years | May 2–30 | 11:25–11:55 a.m. | |
| 6–14 years | May 2–30 | noon–12:30 p.m. |
Stage Red: Backstroke and Intro to Butterfly
Spring Session 2
| 6–14 years | May 2–30 | 11:25–11:55 a.m. |
Stage Yellow: Butterfly
Spring Session 2
| 6–14 years | May 2–30 | 10:50–11:20 a.m. |
Stage Blue/Green: Breaststroke and Endurance, Starts, and Turns
Spring Session 2
| 6–14 years | May 2–30 | 10:15–10:45 a.m. |