Overview

These lessons are designed to give participants individualized attention to improve or master their swimming skills.  Space is limited, so register today.

A Typical Class

Together, the instructor, participant and/or parent determine the goals for the session and the curriculum is customized in order to meet these goals.  Private lessons are 30 minutes in length.

Outcomes/Benefits

• Swimming skill improvement
• Skill mastery

Tips & Preparation

• Please bring photo ID when you visit the Y.
• Know what you want to work on and achieve and share that with your instructor.
• Inform the instructor of physical impairments, fear of or bad experiences with the water to ensure a more positive lesson.

Attire and What to Bring

• Please bring photo ID when you visit the Y.
• Come to class dressed and ready for the pool.
• Clothes, street shoes, diaper bags and other personal items can be stored in the locker rooms; bring your own lock and leave your valuables at home.
• Family appropriate, clean swimsuit and swim attire is required.
• Sandals or flip-flops are permitted in the pool area; No street shoes permitted.
• Towel, goggles (if desired).

Get Started

Customized swim lessons can begin at any time, if we have an available instructor. Private lessons are only available during non-peak hours.  Cancellations MUST be done 24 hours in advance.  NO REFUNDS. 

Safety Around Water (SAW)

The YMCA’s Safety Around Water program, built on trusted American Red Cross standards, teaches children the essential skills they need to stay safe in and around water.

Our mission is to ensure every person in our community — regardless of swimming ability — has access to life-saving water safety education.

Through fun, engaging, and supportive instruction, participants learn:

• Core water safety behaviors to prevent drowning
• Introductory swimming skills, including floating, breath control, and safe entries
• How to recognize and avoid common water hazards in pools, lakes, and open water
• Simple survival techniques that can help in unexpected situations
• Confidence–building practices that encourage safe, enjoyable experiences in the water

At the Greater Johnstown Community YMCA, we believe water safety is a critical life skill. Our instructors create a welcoming environment where every participant can grow stronger, learn new skills, and develop lifelong confidence in and around the water. The Y is committed to strengthening our community — one swimmer at a time. Join us as we work together to create safer water experiences for all.

Details:

Ages 4 to 7 years old, Saturdays from 10 – 11 am

Ages 8 to 12 years old, Saturdays from 11 – 12 pm

Winter Session dates:

• Jan 17, 24, 31
• Feb 14, 21, 28
• March 14, 21, 28

Days: Mondays & Wednesdays

Times: 6:30 to 7:15 pm

Our advanced swim lessons are designed for swimmers who have mastered the basic strokes and are ready to take on greater challenges. Instruction includes stroke refinement in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly, as well as advanced techniques such as touch, turn, and pace. Swimmers will work on building strength, speed, and stamina, while developing skills needed for swim team readiness or competitive swimming., Lessons also include advanced water safety and rescue skills to ensure swimmers are well-prepared in and around the water.

A few things this class focuses on are:

• Practicing all four strokes
• Practicing touch, turn, and pacing
• Building stamina
• Transitioning strokes

Please arrive 15 minutes before the class to check in.

Days: Mondays & Wednesdays or Tuesday & Thursdays

Time: 5:00 to 5:30 pm

Perfect for first-time swimmers or those still gaining confidence in the water, our beginner level focuses on the fundamentals. Swimmers will learn how to enter and exit the pool safely, blow bubbles, float on their front & back, and practice basic kicking and arm movements. Instructors use games, songs, and gentle encouragement to help children become comfortable in the water and enjoy being in it. The goal is to build trust, reduce fear, and establish a strong foundation for future skills.

A few things this class focuses on are:

• Safely entering and exiting the pool
• Putting face in the water and blowing bubbles
• Learning to float on front and back with support
• Basic arm and leg movements
• Build comfort and trust through fun activities
• Utilizing the kickboard

Please arrive 15 minutes before the class to check in.

Days: Mondays & Wednesdays or Tuesdays & Thursdays

Times: 5:40 to 6:25 pm

At the intermediate level, swimmers are ready to build on their basic skills and begin refining their strokes. These lessons focus on improving body position, breath control, and coordinated movements for freestyle and backstroke. Swimmers will also be introduced to breaststroke and elementary backstroke. Emphasis is placed on endurance, stroke efficiency, and learning to swim longer distances with proper form. Safety skills such as treading water and swimming in deeper areas are also reinforced.

A few things this class focuses on are:

• Practicing freestyle
• Learning backstroke and starting breaststroke basics
• Improve floating, kicking, and body positioning
• Treading water
• Building strength and swimming longer distances

 Please arrive 15 minutes before the class to check in.

Days: Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays 

Time: 5:00 to 5:30 pm

Swim Starters: Our program for little ones aged 3 – 36 months is designed to support early growth through play, exploration, and connection. Each activity encourages curiosity, motor skills, language development, and social bonding-laying the foundation for lifelong learning in a warm and nurturing environment. Whether they’re crawling, toddling or taking their first steps into language, every moment is an opportunity to grow!

A few things this class focuses on are:

• Body positioning
• Floating Techniques
• Breath control
• Blowing bubbles
• Water Safety Practices

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the class to check in.

*A parent or guardian must accompany the child in the water at all times.

**Child must be at least 3 months at date of signup.