Swimming Lessons
Group Swim Lessons (Ages 6 months-10 years)
Group Swim Lesson Fees
For current fees, view the seasonal program guide.
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.
Class Schedule
Winter Schedule (Rakow Center Indoor Pool) 
Class Descriptions
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 supervise water activities safely. IMPORTANT NOTES TO PARENTS: All children who are not potty trained must wear reusable aqua diapers. Aqua diaper included. Parents must be in the water with their child.
Rakow Center Indoor Pool
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.
Rakow Center Indoor Pool
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. They will also be introduced to the streamlined form.
Rakow Center Indoor Pool
Register online
Level Three (Blue & Green)
(4-10 years) 45 minutes
At 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 the side-guide position and kick for 10 feet.
Rakow Center Indoor Pool
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 a glide position and swim 30 feet of backstroke and 30 feet of consistent freestyle.
Rakow Center Indoor Pool
Register online
Level Five (Yellow & Blue)
(4-10 years) 45 minutes
The two strokes your child will learn at 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.
Rakow Center Indoor Pool
Register online
Level Six (Green)
(4-10 years) 45 minutes
In the last level, your child will work on all of the strokes and build their 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!
Rakow Center Indoor Pool
Register online
- 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.
- Arrive to class early, ready to swim on time. Have your child use the restroom before class and wait on the pool deck for your instructor to call your class. Do not go near the water before your class begins.
- Please observe your child from the bleacher area only. Pictures and parent interactions are encouraged on the last day of class.
- Any child not toilet trained must wear reusable aqua diapers (available for purchase at the Rakow Registration Desk). No type of disposable diapers will be permitted.
- Cancellations & Make-Ups: Lessons may be canceled due to unsatisfactory pool conditions, holidays, routine maintenance, low enrollment, and swim meets. Cancellations will be made up at a later date. Sorry, there are no other make-ups except when the Park District cancels a class.
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 techniques. 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 can be downloaded from below.
Any child, not toilet trained must wear reusable aqua diapers (available for purchase). No type of disposable diapers will be permitted.
Registration
For private lessons, please fill out the request form and email it to meschenbach@dtpd.org. The instructor will call you directly within 24 hours to schedule your time. Please bring full payment to your first scheduled lesson.
Private Lessons Registration Form
Fees
| Private Lessons | Resident | Nonresident |
| 1 Lesson | $30 | $36 |
| 4 Lessons | $100 | $121 |
| Family Private 1 Lesson | $50 | $56 |
| Family Private 4 Lessons | $125 | $146 |
Payment & Cancellation Policies
Payment Policy: Please bring full payment to your first scheduled 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.