SWIM LESSONS

At GMCF, we employ a staff of dedicated, experienced, and fun-loving swim lesson instructors who provide youth, adult and adaptive swim lessons. We are committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for swimmers of all ages and skill levels, and we offer group, private, and semi-private lessons.

How to Register

Program Status

Level Info

Session Info

how to register for PRIVATE swim lessons

Email the Aquatics Director:

how to register for group swim lessons

1. How do I get ready to register?

CREATE A PROFILE IF YOU DON’T HAVE ONE YET
Registration for group swim lessons at GMCF requires a profile in our system. If you are registering a child/dependent, they need their own profile which is linked to yours.

You will need to register the swimmer for lessons, not yourself! For that reason, please add your swimmer as a family member so you can select them to register.

Click here to create a profile and add family members as applicable.

Payment information is required to register a profile, but you will not be charged until you actually register.

2. okay, i have a profile. now what?

CHECK PROGRAM STATUS
Group swim lessons are held in sessions, usually between 6-8 weeks long. They are set up periodically over the course of the year, and registration is only possible during certain windows of time.

The program status indicator lets you know if registration is open or closed. Additional information is provided when available to let you know what may be planned. If it’s open, you can register! If it’s closed, make sure you’re signed up to our mailing list to be notified when it will be opening again.

3. done, what’s the next step?

REGISTER FOR LESSONS
If the program status indicator says Open, log into the profile you created earlier by clicking here.
Select “Series Registration“
In the drop-down menu labeled “All Categories,” select “Aquatics,” then click the Search Classes button.
Select the appropriate level, and then click “Sign Up.“
In the window that appears, select or add the correct family member (the swimmer, not yourself!)
Select “Add to Cart” to proceed and complete the sign up process.

4. can i do this in the gmcf app?

YES YOU CAN!
You can find the GMCF iOS app in the Apple App Store. Please note that our vendor currently cannot provide an Android app; this is in development.

On the home screen, tap “Programs.”
Select “Aquatics” in the “Category” line.
Tap “Show Programs.”
Select the appropriate level, and then tap “Sign Up.”
Select the correct family member (the swimmer, not yourself!)
Tap “Next” to proceed and complete the sign up process.

5. WHY DOES MY CLASS SAY “PLEASE CALL?”

THIS CLASS IS FULL
Our swim lesson classes have been known to fill up within 3-4 minutes on certain occasions.
When you see “Please Call,” this means that the class you are looking to register for is full.
Please call the Front Desk and ask to be placed on the waiting list for this class, to ensure that you will be contacted if spaces open up. Our number is (802) 223-6161.

6. are there make-up classes if i miss one?

NOT FOR GROUP LESSONS
Our group lessons run on a fixed schedule once announced, and make-up classes are only scheduled in case of unexpected facility closure or instructor absence. In these cases, you will be notified of the plan by email. Otherwise, the sessions proceed as scheduled regardless of individual attendance.

If you are interested in more flexibility for scheduling swim lessons, please consider private lessons. These are scheduled according to your availability.

7. How do i Pick a Level?

CHECK OUR LEVEL INFO SECTION
The Level Info section of this page contains descriptions of each offered level, which should give you a basic idea of which class is most appropriate for your swimmer.

ATTEND AN ASSESSMENT
If you are unsure, consider joining one of our free swim level assessment sessions, which we try to hold prior to each new session of group lessons. Your swimmer will undergo a 10-15 minute assessment with one of our instructors and you will receive a level recommendation!

When offered, info about assessment sessions will be included in the Session Info section (click here).

NOTE:
Swimmers who have recently passed a level at GMCF or under American Red Cross Instruction elsewhere do not need to attend an assessment session; pick the next-highest level when registering. Swimmers in the current session of swim lessons also do not need to attend an assessment; you will be informed of your level at the end of the session.

8. What happens now?

GET READY TO SWIM!
Shortly before the session begins, you will receive an email reminder with policies and procedures.
In the meantime, please make sure you have towels, Crocs or flip-flops for the pool deck, and goggles for your swimmer.

EXPECTATIONS & GUIDELINES:
Please familiarize yourself with our Aquatics Area rules. Note in particular that children under 7 are not allowed in the hot tub at any time, and children 7 and up require adult supervision and membership/day pass access to use the hot tub.
Swim lessons registration does not include access to the pool or hot tub outside of lessons.
Electronics (including cell phones and tablets) are not permitted on deck. We do not allow shoes on deck.
Except in cases where parental support is required, we ask families to wait in one of our lobbies after getting their swimmer situated and ready to go with their instructor. This helps us maintain a safe and calm learning environment for everyone!

PROGRAM STATUS INDICATOR

GROUP SWIM LESSONS REGISTRATION IS CURRENTLY:

on deck!

REGISTRATION OPENS SOON; SEE SESSION INFO FOR DETAILS

Click here to be notified when this status changes:

swim level information

Please read through the level information to the right to ensure that you choose the correct level for your swimmer.

We do our best to accommodate changes that need to be made after registration, but we cannot guarantee availability in other levels once classes have started.

If you are still unsure, consider attending our free swim assessment sessions, when offered. On-demand, individual assessments are also available for a fee.

Any additional questions or concerns? Please email our Aquatics Director.

Parent/Child

Perfect for our littlest swimmers (ages 6 months – 2 years) – get your little one in the water and having fun! Your infant/toddler will learn to be comfortable in the water and develop swim-readiness skills through fun and confidence-building experiences. Parents/caregivers should expect to be in the pool with their swimmer.

Although there are no skill prerequisites for this course, children must be at least 6 months old to participate in the course and a parent/guardian must accompany each child in the water and participate in the classes.

PreK / Parent

For young beginners still becoming comfortable with the water! This class is for swimmers who are unable to touch the bottom of the pool in the shallow end (3 ft deep), ages 3-5. Parents/caregivers should expect to be in the pool with their swimmer.

Preschool Aquatics is recommended for children who are approximately 3 to 5 years of age. However, participation should not be determined by age alone. Consider a child’s developmental readiness, maturity and experience in the water. For some preschool children, Parent and Child Aquatics still may be appropriate, while a few may be able to go directly into the Learn-to-Swim courses.

Learn to Swim Level 1

Perfect for your little one who can stand in the shallow end on their own (3 ft deep) but is a beginner swimmer! This class will help your child independently enjoying time in the water, entering and exiting safely, and developing the beginning skills of a confident swimmer.

Swimmers in Level 1 must be tall enough to stand with their head above water in our shallow end (approx. 3 ft deep). They must be comfortable in shallow water without assistance. Most Level 1 swimmers are 6 years old or older.

Learn to Swim Level 1 is designed to orient participants to the aquatic environment and to help them gain basic aquatic skills. In addition, participants start learning about how to be safe around water.

Learn to Swim Level 2

Perfect for swimmers ready to take the next step! If your little swimmer can stand and touch in the shallow end (3 feet deep), is able/willing to submerge nose and open eyes underwater, and can make forward progress, Level 2 is perfect!

Learn to Swim Level 2 builds on the basic aquatic skills and water safety skills and concepts learned in Level 1. Participants begin to perform skills at a slightly more advanced level and begin gaining rudimentary propulsive skills on both the front and the back. This level marks the beginning of independent aquatic locomotion skills.

Participants should have completed Level 1 or be able to complete the following:

Enter/exit water using steps, ladder or side
Blow bubbles, bobs, open eyes under water
Front glide, recover to vertical (with assistance)
Back glide, back float, recover to vertical (with assistance)
Roll front/back with assistance
Arm and hand treading in chest deep water
Alternating & simultaneous leg & arm action on front & back, with assistance
Combined arm and leg actions on front and back independently

Learn to Swim Level 3

If your swimmer can back float, submerge entirely, can tread water, and can enter the deep end of the pool (beyond 3 feet depth), level 3 is for you! Level 3 swimmers will work on stroke technique, focusing on: gliding, freestyle with side breathing, backstroke, breast stroke and dolphin kicks, retrieving objects in deeper water, treading water, jumping into deep water and compact dives.

The objectives of Learn to Swim Level 3 are to expand proficiency of previously learned skills by providing additional guided practice. Participants learn and practice survival floating and learn to swim front crawl and elementary backstroke at rudimentary proficiency levels. We introduce the scissors and dolphin kicks and extend the time duration for treading water. Participants also learn rules for headfirst entries and begin to learn to enter the water headfirst from a seated position at poolside (9 feet or deeper).

Participants should have completed Level 2, or be able to complete the following:

Shallow water entry by jumping/stepping
Water exit
Fully submerge and hold breath, bobs, open eyes under water, rotary breathing
Front glide, front float, recover to vertical
Back glide, back float, recover to vertical
Roll front/back, change direction, tread water
Swim on front with combined arm and leg action
Swim on back with combined arm and leg action; finning arm action on back

Learn to Swim Level 4

In Learn-to-Swim Level 4, participants improve their aquatic skills and increase their endurance by swimming the strokes learned in Level 3 (i.e., front crawl, elementary backstroke) for greater distances and with more advanced proficiency. Participants add arm actions to the previously learned scissors kick and breaststroke kick to perform the rudimentary sidestroke and to learn the breaststroke. Participants also begin to learn the back crawl and butterfly, as well as the basics of performing a simple open turn at a wall.

Participants should have completed Level 3, or be able to complete the following:

Deep water entry (jumping and headfirst (sitting/kneeling))
Bobbing, rotary breathing
Survival float, back float
Directional changes, treading water
Streamline push off to flutter kick and dolphin kick
Front crawl
Breaststroke kick
Elementary backstroke
Scissors kick on side

Adult

Adult Learn to Swim lessons are a separate program from our group lessons for youth. Please click here for more information.

Proficient adult swimmers looking for swim coaching should contact our Personalized Services department to inquire about personal training.

Adaptive

GMCF is proud to partner with Green Mountain Adaptive Sports in offering swim lessons to Vermont youth and adults with disabilities. This program focuses on providing acclimation to the aquatic environment, stroke work, and competition swimming.

Swimmers with adaptive needs can apply for scholarships to cover 5 adaptive lessons at reduced/zero cost. Visit this page for more information and to apply.

UPCOMING CLASS SCHEDULE &

SESSION INFO

REGISTRATION WILL OPEN ON 12/23/24
AT 8:00 AM
Session will begin the week of 1/5/24
Classes will be offered for 7 weeks.
Classes require min. 2 registrants to proceed.

Free Level Assessment session:
12/21/24 – 12-2 PM
Limited space available; registration required
Click here to register

Class schedule: See below

2025.1 Group Lessons Schedule

Level	Day (# of Classes)	Start Time	Instructor	Cost	Capacity
Level 1	Sunday (7)	10:30 AM	Kyle	$175.00	6
Level 1	Sunday (7)	11:30 AM	Kyle	$175.00	6
Level 1	Sunday (7)	4:30 PM	Rosalie	$175.00	6
Level 1	Wednesday (7)	4:30 PM	Rosalie	$175.00	6
Level 2	Friday (7)	5:00 PM	Gabriel	$175.00	6
Level 2	Sunday (7)	10:00 AM	Kyle	$175.00	6
Level 2	Sunday (7)	11:00 AM	Kyle	$175.00	6
Level 2	Sunday (7)	4:00 PM	Rosalie	$175.00	6
Level 2	Wednesday (7)	4:00 PM	Rosalie	$175.00	6
Level 3	Friday (7)	4:30 PM	Gabriel	$175.00	6
Level 3	Sunday (7)	3:30 PM	Rosalie	$175.00	6
Level 3	Monday (7)	4:00 PM	Stephanie	$175.00	6
Level 3	Sunday (7)	9:30 AM	Stephanie	$175.00	6
Level 4	Friday (7)	4:00 PM	Gabriel	$175.00	6
Level 4	Sunday (7)	3:00 PM	Grace	$175.00	6
Level 4	Monday (7)	4:30 PM	Stephanie	$175.00	6
Parent/Child	Sunday (7)	2:00 PM	Grace	$175.00	8
Parent/Child	Sunday (7)	8:30 AM	Stephanie	$175.00	8
Parent/Child	Tuesday (7)	12:00 PM	Stephanie	$175.00	8
PreK/Parent	Sunday (7)	2:30 PM	Grace	$175.00	8
PreK/Parent	Sunday (7)	9:00 AM	Stephanie	$175.00	8
PreK/Parent	Tuesday (7)	12:30 PM	Stephanie	$175.00	8