Swimming Lessons
Our swim lesson program is taught under the guidance of Starfish Aquatics. Our program is unique in that it emphasizes the fundamentals of swimming while introducing safety to its swimmers. Swim lessons, both group and private, are offered for all ages and skill levels. Instructor training and experience, as well as small teacher-student ratios, help your child become acquainted with the water in a safe and caring environment. Group swim lessons are held at the Rakow Center Indoor Pool.
In addition during the summer, lessons will be held at both Sleepy Hollow Pool and the Rakow Center Indoor Pool.
Private Swim Lessons (All Ages)
All private lessons are based on ONE child/adult per instructor per half hour. Private lessons are great for adults wanting to learn or improve their swimming technique. Lessons are held during various lap swims and/or open swim hours. Please keep in mind that lessons are set up depending on staff and pool availability. Private swim lesson forms are available at the Randall Oaks Recreation Center and Rakow Center.
| Private Lessons | Resident | Nonresident |
| 4 Lessons Per Month | $100 | $121 |
| Single Lesson | $30 | $36 |
Payment & Cancellation Policies
Payment Policy: Payment is due two days prior to the scheduled private lesson. Please make sure to bring your receipt of payment to your lesson.
Cancellation Policy: 24-hour notice must be given when canceling a private lesson. If 24-hour notice is not given, the client will be charged for the session. Exceptions will be made in cases of emergency, determined by the Aquatic Supervisor.
Group Swim Lesson Fees
| Group Lessons | Resident | Nonresident |
| Levels 1-6 | $46 | $66 |
| Aqua Babes | $47* | $63* |
Aqua Babes
(6 months-3 years with parent) 30 minutes
This parent/child program aims to help infants or toddlers become comfortable in and around the water with a parent or guardian. Parents will learn techniques to orient their children with the water and to supervise water activities in a safe manner. *Aqua diaper included in the fee.
| Program | Dates | Days/Times | Location | |
| 36710-31 | July 22-Aug. 1 | M-Th/11:00 -11:30 am | SHP | REGISTER ONLINE |
| 36700-32 | July 22-Aug. 1 | M-Th/12:00-12:30 pm | RA | REGISTER ONLINE |
Level One (White & Red)
(3-5 years) 30 minutes
This level consists of four main parts. Trust and submersion where your child will learn how to go underwater with an instructor and retrieve objects; body position and air recovery where your child will learn how to jump into the pool from the side, and submerge and come up to float for five seconds.
| Program | Dates | Days/Times | Location | |
| 36701-36 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/9:00-9:30 am | RAI | REGISTER ONLINE |
| 36701-37 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/10:00-10:30 am | RAI | REGISTER ONLINE |
| 36701-38 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/11:00-11:30 am | RAI | REGISTER ONLINE |
| 36701-39 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/12:00-12:30 pm | RAI | REGISTER ONLINE |
| 36711-32 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th 10:00-10:30 am | SH | REGISTER ONLINE |
| 36711-33 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/11:00-11:30 am | SH | REGISTER ONLINE |
Level Two (Yellow)
(4-10 years) 45 minutes
This is a two-part level involving forward movement and direction change. Your child will learn how to jump into the water, recover for air and swim for 10 feet. He or she will also be introduced to the streamline form.
| Program | Dates | Days/Times | Location | |
| 36702-36 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/9:00-9:45 am | RAI | REGISTER ONLINE |
| 36702-37 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/10:00-10:45 am | RAI | REGISTER ONLINE |
| 36702-38 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/11:00-11:45 am | RAI | REGISTER ONLINE |
| 36702-39 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/12:00-12:45 pm | RAI | REGISTER ONLINE |
| 36712-32 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/10:00-10:45 am | SH | REGISTER ONLINE |
| 36712-33 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/11:00-11:45 am | SH | REGISTER ONLINE |
Level Three (Blue & Green)
(4-10 years) 45 minutes
In this level, your child will learn about rotary movement. They will learn how to roll from one-side glide position to the other and be able to do their back and front stream recovery in side-guide position as well as kick for 10 feet.
| Program | Dates | Days/Times | Location | |
| 36703-36 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/9:00-9:45 am | RAI | REGISTER ONLINE |
| 36703-37 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/10:00-10:45 am | RAI | REGISTER ONLINE |
| 36703-38 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/11:00-11:45 am | RAI | REGISTER ONLINE |
| 36703-39 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/12:00-12:45 pm | RAI | REGISTER ONLINE |
| 36713-32 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/10:00-10:45 am | SH | REGISTER ONLINE |
| 36713-33 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/11:00-11:45 am | SH | REGISTER ONLINE |
Level Four (White & Red)
(4-10 years) 45 minutes
The main component of level four is integrated movement. Upon completion of this level, your child will be able to start in glide position and swim 30 feet of backstroke and 30 feet of consistent freestyle.
| Program | Dates | Days/Times | Location | |
| 36704-36 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/9:00-9:45 am | RAI | REGISTER ONLINE |
| 36704-37 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/10:00-10:45 am | RAI | REGISTER ONLINE |
| 36704-38 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/11:00-11:45 am | RAI | REGISTER ONLINE |
| 36704-39 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/12:00-12:45 pm | RAI | REGISTER ONLINE |
| 36714-32 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/10:00-10:45 am | SH | REGISTER ONLINE |
| 36714-33 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/11:00-11:45 am | SH | REGISTER ONLINE |
Level Five (Yellow & Blue)
(4-10 years) 45 minutes
The two strokes your child will learn in this level are the butterfly and breaststroke. Upon completion of this level, your child will be able to swim four strokes of butterfly with only one breath and swim 30 feet of breaststroke.
| Program | Dates | Days/Times | Location | |
| 36705-36 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/9:00-9:45 am | RAI | REGISTER ONLINE |
| 36705-37 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/10:00-10:45 am | RAI | REGISTER ONLINE |
| 36705-38 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/11:00-11:45 am | RAI | REGISTER ONLINE |
| 36705-39 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/12:00-12:45 pm | RAI | REGISTER ONLINE |
| 36715-32 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/10:00-10:45 am | SH | REGISTER ONLINE |
| 36715-33 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/11:00-11:45 am | SH | REGISTER ONLINE |
Level Six (Green)
(4-10 years) 45 minutes
In the last level, your child will work on all of the strokes as well as building his or her endurance. Upon completion of this level, your child will be able to swim 50 yards of freestyle, 50 yards of backstroke, 50 yards of breaststroke and 25 yards of butterfly. They will also learn flip and open turns. After this level, your child will be ready to move on to the Jr. Dolphin program!
| Program | Dates | Days/Times | Location | |
| 36706-36 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/9:00-9:45 am | RAI | REGISTER ONLINE |
| 36706-37 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/10:00-10:45 am | RAI | REGISTER ONLINE |
| 36706-38 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/11:00-11:45 am | RAI | REGISTER ONLINE |
| 36706-39 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/12:00-12:45 pm | RAI | REGISTER ONLINE |
| 36716-32 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/10:00-10:45 am | SH | REGISTER ONLINE |
| 36716-33 | July 22-August 1 | M-Th/11:00-11:45 am | SH | REGISTER ONLINE |
Important Notes to Parents:
- Upon completion of each session, participants will receive a certificate of completion detailing the skills performed successfully and/or those needing improvement.
- Personal flotation devices of any kind are not permitted. Goggles are accepted but are not encouraged for lower levels.
- Please arrive to class early, ready to swim on time. Please have your child use the restroom before class. Please wait on the pool deck for your instructor to call your class together. Do not allow your child to go near the water before your class begins.
- Please observe your child from the bleacher area only. Pictures and parent interaction are encouraged on the last day of class.
- Any child, not toilet trained must wear reusable aqua diapers which are available for purchase at the Rakow Registration Desk. No type of disposable diapers will be permitted.
Swim Lesson Registration
Registration may be done online, dropped off or mailed. Both residents and nonresidents of the district are welcome to register. Proof of residency is required to receive the resident rate.
Cancellations and Make-Ups
Lessons may be canceled by the Park District due to holidays, routine maintenance, low enrollment and swim meets. Cancellations will be made up at a later date. Sorry, but there are no other make-ups except when the Park District cancels a class.
Cancellation Policy: 24-hour notice must be given when canceling a private lesson. If 24-hour notice is not given, the client will be charged for the session. Exceptions will be made in cases of emergency, determined by the Aquatic Supervisor.