YMCA Swim Lessons and Safety Around Water

YMCA Swim Lessons and Safety Around Water includes exercises to help kids adjust to being in the water, fun activities that reinforce skills, and safety topics like what to do if they see someone in the water who needs help. Safety Around Water consists of eight lessons that teach water safety skills and include instruction in two specific skill sets kids can use if they unexpectedly find themselves in the water: Jump, Push, Turn, Grab and Swim, Float Swim. The program also includes Swim Starters, Swim Basics, and Swim Strokes, which cover swim readiness skills, basic water safety and swimming skills, and stroke technique for older swimmers.

• Ages: 0–18 years old
• Schedule: Safety Around Water consists of eight lessons

The YMCA is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. The Y introduced the country to group swim lessons over 110 years ago in 1909. Each year, the Y teaches more than one million kids swimming and safety around water skills. In Swim Starters, parents learn how to supervise children in the water, prevent accidents and plan for emergencies. In Swim Basics, swimmers practice safe water habits, engage in underwater exploration and learn how to swim to safety if they fall into a body of water. In Swim Strokes, students learn additional water safety skills and build stroke technique, and this stage is for older swimmers including school-age children, teens and adults. Phones Down, Eyes Up is a related water safety campaign that encourages people at the pool, beach, or lakeside to avoid distractions with the message “Your eyes can save lives.”

Last updated May 13, 2026.