All of our aquatic programs and swimming lessons are Red Cross Certified and designed to help the participant grow as a swimmer and teach competence in the water. Swimming is a great way to keep ourselves in shape and it encourages sportsmanship and strong character. These characteristics are something we should keep with us as we continue to develop and grow. This summer we will be offering more classes than ever. Check out our Summer Brochure for all dates and fees.

Swimming lessons

Introducing Longfellow’s Whale Tales

American Red Cross Longfellow's WHALE Tales provides easy-to-follow information to help children learn safe behavior in, on and around the water. Taught in a classroom session, WHALE Tales makes water safety fun and easy to learn. Each lesson is reinforced with color posters, worksheets, activities and a video that features Longfellow, the animated whale. Longfellow's WHALE Tales includes eight basic lessons.

• Swim with a buddy in a supervised area.
• Be cool, follow the rule—the reasons behind water safety rules.
• Look before you leap—choose safe places to swim and dive.
• Think so you don't sink—what to do when things go wrong.
• Reach or throw, don't go—safe ways to rescue a swimmer in trouble.
• Don’t just pack it, wear your jacket—the importance of wearing a life jacket.
• Cold can kill—knowing the hazards.
• Learn about boating before you go floating.

Parent and toddler classes

• Designed for children one to four years old, this program builds swim readiness and confidence in the water with an emphasis on having fun! Parents and children participate in guided activities including bubble-blowing, floating on front and back, elementary backstroke, freestyle and underwater swim. This is a Red Cross certified course and includes certificate. Parents must participate.

Level 1 (Jellyfish)

• For children ages four and up who desire to build their confidence in the water. Child should be comfortable in a group setting. This class introduces the swimmer to the beginner forms of freestyle and backstroke. The class will meet on Mondays and Thursdays and is a Red Cross certified course that includes a certificate.

Level 2 (Guppy)

• (Ages 5+) Child must be comfortable in group settings. This level will teach the refining of skills involved in freestyle and backstroke. This includes breathing, arm pull and proper kick. This is a Red Cross certified course and includes a certificate.

Level 3 (Minnow)

• (Ages 5+) Child must have completed Guppy level. This class will introduce breaststroke to the swimmers and begin lap-swimming and diving. This is a Red Cross certified course and includes a certificate.

GuardStart: Lifeguarding Tomorrow

(Ages 11-14) The American Red Cross GuardStart: Lifeguarding Tomorrow program is for youth that provides a foundation of aquatic and leadership knowledge, attitudes and skills for the future that will help prepare 11-14 year olds to successfully complete the Red Cross Lifeguarding courses. To qualify for this course you must be able to complete the following; swim the front crawl for 25 yards continuously while breathing to the front or side, tread water for 1 minute using arms and legs and submerge and swim a distance of 10 feet underwater. Registration deadline is one week prior to start date. GuardStart T-Shirt will be provided. This class will meet only Mondays and Thursdays.

• (ages 10+) Program fee includes books, all rental equipment (including mask, fins, and snorkel), training fees, and certification. This course consists of two weekends of classroom, pool and open water training. Everything is conducted at the Frog Pond swimming pool except the open water certification dives which will be at a site within 15 minutes of Christiansburg. Independent study with an informative manual and DVD is required before the first day of class; you will receive this material when you register. A medical release must be reviewed and you may need a doctor’s approval prior to participation. Space is limited and registration deadline is one week prior to class.