Swim Programs at the Michael Phelps Center
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The Biddeford Recreation Department is now partenering with the Michael Phelps Center in Saco to provided aquatic opportunities for youth and adults. There are many options available for all levels of skill and abilities.
Class Descriptions
Get Wet: 6 months - 3 years old. Get Wet is a parent and child class for children three years of age and younger (exceptions are made for older children). While focusing on water comfort, games, and relaxing in a warm water environment, parents are encouraged to challenge each child's skills and level of comfort in the water. Continually under the guidance of a competent instructor, the emphasis in Get Wet is on fun in the water!
Beginner Divisions: In Beginner, children are comfortable in the water, able to completely submerge, and can float on their front and back. The emphasis in Beginner is on development of confidence and feel for the water. Children remain in the Beginner level until they are swimming freestyle and demonstrating rotary breathing. It is anticipated that children will remain in this level for multiple sessions, as the skills to be mastered are quite broad and varied. Beginner has two age divisions; Beginner 1 is for ages 3-6, Beginner 2 is for ages 7+
Pre-Beginner Divisions: Pre-Beginner is our first class without parental involvement. Children must have reached the age of three to enroll in this level. The emphasis in Pre-Beginner is on basic water skills such as assisted and unassisted floating, blowing bubbles and retrieving items from the bottom of a shallow (3 foot) area. Listening to instructions and working within a group are stressed along with important water safety lessons. Pre-Beginner includes games and activities that build confidence while increasing the child’s comfort and feel for the water. Finally, children will become comfortable swimming under the water.
Pre - Beginner has two age divisions; the skills covered in the two divisions are identical. Pre Beg. 1 is for ages 3-4 and Pre Beg 2 is for 5 year olds
Advanced Beginner Divisions: In Advanced Beginner, freestyle (crawl stroke) skills are honed and other competitive strokes are introduced and taught. The emphasis in Advanced Beginner is on confidence with freestyle and building comfort with other strokes. Children should be able to demonstrate rotary breathing, have mastered the air exchange process.
Advanced Beginner has two age divisions; the skills covered in the two divisions are identical. Advanced Beg. 1 is for ages 4-6. Advanced Beg. 2 is for ages 7+
Divisions and Program Details
Divisions include:
Get Wet: ages 6 month-3 years
Pre-Beginner I: 3-4 years
Pre-Beginner II: 5 years
Beginner I: 3-6 years
Beginner II: 6 years +
Advanced Beginner I: 4-6 years
Advanced Beginner II: 7 years +
Intermediate: 5 years +
Please look under "Additional Forms and Files" below for a placement chart to help you determine which level your child is ready for.
Program Details-
Location: Michael Phelps Skill Center at 15 Lund Rd, Saco
Fee: $90.00-per session
Session Details: Half-hour to One-hour offered in 6 week blocks:
Session Begins October 25 for 6 weeks NO CLASS THANKSGIVING WEEK
Max: 4 participants per class, per session. "Get Wet" parent and child program allows for 8 participants (4 children and 4 parent partners).
Additional Forms and Files:
Links: