How does the Learn to Swim program work?  Our Learn to swim program is a month-to-month program for children to grow more comfortable in the water and to start learning the basic swim strokes; freestyle (crawl) and backstroke. Lessons are one-on-one with one of our high school swim team members.

How much will it cost for my child to participate? There is an upfront fee for insurance and a monthly fee for coaching.  The monthly lesson fee is $60 and is to be paid by registering online.  Competitive fees vary and are noted on the website.  Insurance:  The Learn-to-Swim insurance is $10 and will be included in your first registration of the season.  This fee is then renewed annually.  

How will I know when my child is ready to move up to the next group?  At the end of each session, the instructors will evaluate the swimmer's progress and make recommendation on whether or not they are ready to join our competitive program. 

Will my child receive an evaluation from his instructor at the end of the session?  Not every session.  If you have questions regarding your child’s progress, please see the Board Member at the check-in table.  When your swimmer is ready to move to the competitive team, a Board Member will contact you.

What is required for my child to join the competitive team?  In order to join the competitive team, your swimmer must demonstrate the ability to swim all 25 yards of freestyle and backstroke continuously.  The freestyle swim will include side breathing.

What if my child is recommended to move to the competitive team and we are not interested in joining the competitive team?  Can my child continue swimming in the Learn to Swim program?  There is limited space available in the Learn to Swim program, once it is recommended that your child is ready to move to the competitive team they will no longer be able to participate in the Learn to Swim program.  If participation on a competitive team is not something your child is ready or interested in pursuing, there may be other local programs available that would allow them the opportunity to continue swimming.

What if we are unable to attend several practices during a particular session?  The Learn to Swim program is a month-to-month program and therefore you are free to decide to participate during all months it’s being offered or you can choose to skip a month if you don’t feel your swimmer will be available for enough of the month to benefit from participation.  The fee for the month is set at $60 and is not pro-rated based on your swimmer’s attendance at each practice.  In some instances, special fee arrangements may be made due to ACST scheduling conflicts or holidays that may result in a particular session being shorter than the typical 4-week session.

Will my child be expected to participate in meets?  Swimmers participating in the Learn to Swim program will not be permitted to participate in competitive swim meets.  In order to participate in a meet, the swimmer must be covered by the USA Swimming membership insurance rather than the Learn-to-Swim insurance.  

What is the process to sign-up for the Learn to Swim program?  You can register your child(ren) online through the link provided on our home page.   Swimmers new to our program should complete the Lesson request form and possibly attend an evaluation night prior to registering.  Returning swimmers will have an opportunity to sign up for the next session once the registration has been opened. If you are unsure if your swimmer will be advancing to the Competitive Team, please contact [email protected].

Who do I contact for more information on the Learn to Swim program?  Information on the Learn to Swim program is available on the ACST website at www.acstswim.org.  You may also contact the Coordinator for the Learn to Swim program at [email protected]