Hudson Community Services: Community Education, School Age Care, Summer Programs

Ages 5+ Objective: To build on previously learned skills by providing additional guided practice. Participants are taught survival float, swim the front crawl and elementary backstroke. Scissor and dolphin kicks are introduced and build on the fundamentals of treading water, learn rules for headfirst entry. Exit Skills Assessment: When participants complete Learn-to-Swim Level 3, they are starting to show stroke proficiency in the front and elementary backstroke. They demonstrate comfort in deep water and can enter the water headfirst from both sitting and kneeling positions. There is one part of the exit skills assessment - Jump into deep water from the side, swim front crawl for 15 yards, maintain position by treading or floating for 30 seconds and swim elementary backstroke for 15 yards.

Ages 5+ Objective: To learn basic personal water safety information and skills, to help participants feel comfortable in the water and to enjoy the water safely. Participants are taught elementary aquatic skills and start developing positive attitudes, good swimming habits and safe practices in and around the water. Exit Skills Assessment: When participants complete the Learn-to-Swim Level 1, they should be comfortable getting in and moving through the water and be willing to put their faces in the water repeatedly. Participants should also be able to use arm and leg movements while supported. There are two parts to the exit skills assessment. Enter independently, using either the ladder, steps or side, travel at least 5 yards, bob 3 times then safely exit the water. (Participants can walk, travel along the gutter or “swim”.) Glide on front at least 2 body lengths, roll to a back float for 3 seconds and recover to a vertical position. (This assessment can be performed with support)

Ages 5+ Objective: Coordination and refinement of strokes. Participants refine their performance of all the strokes (front crawl, back crawl, butterfly, breaststroke, elementary backstroke and side stroke) and increase their distances. Flip turns on the front and back are also introduced. Exit Skills Assessment: When participants complete Learn-to-Swim Level 5, they are starting to demonstrate effectiveness and efficiency in all strokes. They are starting to work on endurance through longer swims that require using open and flip turns. They can enter the water using the shallow-angle dive and can then continue swimming. There are two parts to the exit skills assessment: Perform a shallow dive into deep water, swim front crawl 50 yards, change direction and position of travel as necessary and swim elementary backstroke for 50 yards. Swim breaststroke for 25 yards, change direction and position of travel as necessary and swim back crawl for 25 yards.