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Group Swim Lessons at Reading YMCA
Teaching Water Safety, One Confident Kick at a Time
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4, and second for kids ages 5 to 14. But there’s good news: swim lessons and water safety education drastically reduce that risk.
At the YMCA, our swim lesson program is more than just learning to float. It’s about building lifelong skills, boosting confidence, and creating a safe, fun relationship with the water. We offer lessons for ages 1 and up, so whether your child is just dipping their toes in or mastering their strokes, we have the right level for them.
Swim Lesson Details
- Class Days: Based on the class you choose
- Each Session Includes: Six 30-minute lessons
- Location: Reading YMCA Swimming Pool, 631 Washington St., Reading, PA 19601
- Cost: $100 for YMCA Members | $150 for Non-Members
2025 Fall Swim Sessions
- Sept – Dec 2025
Winter 2026 Swim Sessions
- Starting the week of Jan 5, 2026
Spring 2026 Swim Sessions
- Starting the week of Apr 6
Lesson days & times vary based on level placement. Not sure which level is right? No problem! Click here to view swim level descriptions.
Why Choose the Y for Swim Lessons?
- Certified, experienced swim instructors
- Low student-to-teacher ratios
- Focus on safety, confidence, and fun
- Welcoming, supportive environment for all skill levels
Pick a level. Claim a spot. Let’s make a splash.
*AquaBabies / AquaTots
AquaBabies/AquaTots: Water Discovery & Exploration
Ages 1–3 | Adult & Child Class
Drowning remains one of the top causes of accidental death in young children, but introducing your child to the water early can make all the difference.
Our AquaBabies / AquaTots swim classes are designed for little ones ages 1-3 and their trusted grown-up. With a strong focus on safety, comfort, and early skill development, this class gently introduces babies and toddlers to the water through guided play and exploration.
Together, you and your child will splash, float, and giggle your way through essential water safety skills, all while strengthening the bond between you. It’s more than just a swim lesson, it’s quality time that builds confidence and sets the foundation for lifelong comfort in the water.
Class Days: Mondays & Wednesdays
Time: 11 AM
Note: This is a parent/child class; an adult must accompany each child in the water.
Registration Information
| Open | Close | Register At | Member | Non-Member | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| End of Year Special Price | 11/11/25 | 12/31/25 | Online / Front Desk | $ 90.00 | $ 140.00 |
| 1/1/26 | 4/4/26 | Online / Front Desk | $ 100.00 | $ 150.00 |
Available Sessions
*Learn to Swim (Level 1-3)
Learn to Swim: Levels 1-3
Class Day/Time: Depending on class schedule
- Fall Session 1: 9/27-10/25
- Fall Session 2: 11/1-11/29,12/13
- Winter 2026 Session 1 : 1/5 – 2/14
- Winter 2026 Session 2 : 2/23 – 4/4
Location: ALL swim lessons are held at Reading YMCA (631 Washington St)
Give your child the gift of lifelong water confidence with the YMCA’s most popular beginner swim lessons in Reading, PA.
1. Water Acclimation: Increases comfort with underwater exploration and introduces basic self-rescue skills performed with assistance
- Submerge bob independently
- Front glide assisted, to wall, 5 ft.
- Water exit independently
- Jump, push, turn, grab assisted
- Back float assisted, 10 secs., recover independently
- Roll assisted
- Front float assisted, 10 secs., recover independently
- Back glide assisted, at wall, 5 ft.
- Swim, float, swim assisted, 10 ft.
2. Water Movement: Encourages forward movement in water and basic self-rescue skills performed independently
- Submerge look at object on bottom
- Front glide 10 ft. (5 ft. preschool)
- Water exit independently
- Jump, push, turn, grab
- Back float 20 secs. (10 secs. preschool)
- Roll Front float 20 secs. (10 secs. preschool)
- Back glide 10 ft. (5 ft. preschool)
- Tread water 10 secs., near wall, & exit
- Swim, float, swim 5 yd.
3. Water Stamina: Develops intermediate self-rescue skills performed at longer distances than in previous stages
- Submerge retrieve object in chest-deep water
- Swim on front 15 yd. (10 yd. preschool)
- Water exit independently
- Jump, swim, turn, swim, grab 10 yd.
- Swim on back 15 yd. (10 yd. preschool)
- Roll Tread water 1 min. & exit (30 secs. preschool)
- Swim, float, swim 25 yd. (15 yd. preschool)
Nivel 1-3: Aclimatación al Agua — Clases de Natación Bilingües
Edades 5–14 | Clases de natación para principiantes en inglés y español
Haz que la primera experiencia de tu hijo en la piscina sea un éxito con nuestro programa bilingüe
Nivel 1: Aclimatación al Agua en la YMCA de Reading. Esta clase introductoria es ideal para niños con poca o ninguna experiencia previa que comienzan a aprender lo básico de la seguridad acuática y la confianza en el agua. La instrucción se ofrece en inglés y español, para que cada familia se sienta incluida y apoyada.Los niños aprenderán a:
- Entrar y salir de la piscina de manera segura
- Sumergir la cara y hacer burbujas
- Flotar de frente y de espaldas con ayuda
- Iniciar movimientos sencillos hacia adelante y hacia atrás en el agua
2. Movimiento en el agua: Fomenta el movimiento hacia adelante en el agua y las habilidades básicas de autorrescate realizadas de forma independiente. Sumergir y mirar un objeto en el fondo. Deslizarse de frente 3 metros (1,5 metros, preescolar). Salir del agua de forma independiente. Saltar, empujar, girar, agarrar. Flotar de espalda 20 segundos (10 segundos, preescolar). Rodar. Flotar de frente 20 segundos (10 segundos, preescolar). Deslizarse de espalda 3 metros (1,5 metros, preescolar). Mantenerse a flote 10 segundos, cerca de la pared y salir. Nadar, flotar, nadar 4,6 metros.
3. Resistencia en el agua: Desarrolla habilidades intermedias de autorrescate realizadas a distancias más largas que en etapas anteriores. Sumergir y recuperar un objeto en agua hasta el pecho. Nadar de frente 13,7 metros (10 metros, preescolar). Salir del agua de forma independiente. Saltar, nadar, girar, nadar, agarrar 9 metros. Nadar boca arriba 15 yardas (10 yardas, preescolar) Rodar, mantenerse a flote 1 minuto y salir (30 segundos, preescolar) Nadar, flotar, nadar 25 yardas (15 yardas, preescolar)
Nuestros instructores certificados de la YMCA utilizan el plan de estudios probado de natación en un ambiente divertido y motivador. Las clases son pequeñas y la enseñanza bilingüe garantiza atención personalizada y muchos logros para celebrar.
Días de clases: Sábados
Registration Information
| Open | Close | Register At | Member | Non-Member | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| End of year special prices | 11/27/25 | 12/31/25 | Online / Front Desk | $ 90.00 | $ 140.00 |
| 1/1/26 | 3/31/26 | Online / Front Desk | $ 100.00 | $ 150.00 |
Available Sessions
| Date(s) | ||
|---|---|---|
|
01/05/26 - 02/09/26
Winter: Mondays @ 345pm - 3:45 pm - 4:15 pm
|
Register Closes 01/12/2026 |
|
|
01/10/26 - 02/21/26
Saturday @ 11am *Bilinguel Level 2/3 - 11:00 am - 11:30 am
|
Register Closes 01/10/2026 |
|
|
01/10/26 - 02/21/26
Saturday @ 12pm *Bilinguel Level 1 - 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
|
Register Closes 01/10/2026 |
|
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01/10/26 - 02/21/26
Saturday @ 1pm *Bilinguel Levels 2&3 - 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm
|
Register Closes 01/10/2026 |
Adult Group Swim Lessons
Intro to Swimming Lessons
Give yourself the skills needed to feel confident and safe in the water with our Intro to Swimming program at the Reading YMCA indoor pool. Designed especially for beginners, this swim class is the perfect first splash into the world of swimming! And don’t worry, we will start in the shallow end.
Swim Lesson Details
- Class Days: depending on the session you choose – classes held weekly
- Each Session Includes: Six 30-minute lessons
- Location: Reading YMCA Swimming Pool, 631 Washington St., Reading, PA 19601
- Cost: $100 for YMCA Members | $150 for Non-Members
Registration Information
| Open | Close | Register At | Member | Non-Member | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| End of Year Special Price | 11/11/25 | 12/31/25 | Online / Front Desk | $ 90.00 | $ 140.00 |
| 1/1/26 | 4/4/26 | Online / Front Desk | $ 100.00 | $ 150.00 |
Levels 4-6
Level 4, often called “Stroke Introduction” focuses on building stroke technique and endurance, moving beyond basic water comfort to develop proficiency in front crawl (freestyle) and backstroke while introducing the breaststroke and butterfly kicks, with swimmers building stamina to swim 15-25 yards and mastering all four basic strokes before advancing
Level 5, often called “Stroke Development”, focuses on building foundational competitive strokes like Freestyle (with side breathing), Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly, adding distance, coordination, and introducing flip turns, moving beyond basic water safety to improve endurance and technique for a lifetime of fitness. Swimmers refine skills like sculling, treading, and balancing while building confidence in all major strokes.
Level 6 (Stroke Mechanics) focuses on refining all major competitive strokes (front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly) for efficiency, increasing endurance (swimming longer distances), learning flip turns, and integrating swimming into a healthy lifestyle, preparing them for competitive swimming or advanced water safety. It builds on Stage 5 (Stroke Development) by perfecting technique and introducing advanced skills like dolphin kick and turns.
Registration Information
| Open | Close | Register At | Member | Non-Member | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/31/25 | 4/1/26 | Online / Front Desk | $ 100.00 | $ 150.00 |
Available Sessions
| Date(s) | ||
|---|---|---|
|
01/15/26 - 02/19/26
|
Register Closes 01/15/2026 |
Preschool Intro to Swim
Level 1: Water Acclimation
Ages 5–14 | Beginner Swim Classes
Make your child’s first swim experience a success with our bilingual Level 1: Water Acclimation program at the Reading YMCA. This entry-level class is perfect for kids with little or no swim experience who are learning the basics of water safety and confidence. Instruction is offered in both English and Spanish, so every family feels included and supported.
Young swimmers will learn how to:
-
Safely enter and exit the pool
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Submerge their face and blow bubbles
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Float on their front and back with gentle assistance
-
Begin simple forward and backward movement in the water
Our certified YMCA instructors use the proven YMCA swim curriculum in a fun, encouraging environment. Small class sizes and bilingual instruction ensure each child gets personal attention and can celebrate every splashy milestone.
Class Days / Times: Specific to the session you choose
Registration Information
| Open | Close | Register At | Member | Non-Member | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotional Pricing | 11/28/25 | 1/31/26 | Online / Front Desk | $ 90.00 | $ 140.00 |
| 2/1/26 | 2/2/26 | Online / Front Desk | $ 100.00 | $ 150.00 |
Available Sessions
| Date(s) | ||
|---|---|---|
|
01/26/26 - 02/12/26
M/Th: 3pm
|
Register Closes 01/25/2026 |