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Merriam Parks & Rec.
5701 Merriam Drive
Merriam, KS 66203
(913) 322-5550
(913) 677-1409 fax
Admission Fees
Aqua Aerobics
Learn to Swim Program
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2008 Learn to Swim Program ~

About our swim classes:
The 2008 Learn to Swim Program will be coordinated and conducted by Merriam Parks and Recreation Aquatic Staff. American Red Cross certified Water Safety Instructors will teach all lessons. Class sizes are small in order to give your child individualized attention. Each session includes 8 lessons held Monday-Thursday. If necessary, make-up sessions due to inclement weather will be held on Fridays. Call the Aquatic Center at 913-322-5518 for inclement weather updates.

Parents are permitted to observe lessons from the viewing area provided on deck. Evening lessons are conducted while the aquatic center is open to the public. Admission fee or season pass is required for all parents and siblings who wish to swim before, during, or after evening swim lessons. The zero depth pool will be open from 10:30-11:45am during morning swim lessons for parents and children age 8 and under; regular admission fees and policies apply.

How to Register? Registration begins April 7. You can register in person at the Irene B. French Community Center, 5701 Merriam Drive, by phone with a credit card, by fax at 913-677-1409, or by mail. To download a registration form, click here.

To download a copy of the 2008 Learn to Swim Brochure, click here.

Parent Child A (M-TH)
Session 1
6/9-6/19
9:45 AM
#210107P1
Session 2
6/23-7/3
9:45 AM
#210107P2
Session 3
7/7-7/17
9:45 AM
#210107P3
Session 4
6/9-6/19
5:35 PM
#210107P4
Session 5
6/23-7/3
5:35 PM
#210107P5
Session 6
7/7-7/17
5:35 PM
#210107P6
Parent Child B (M-TH)
Session 1
6/9-6/19
9:45 AM
#210111A1
Session 2
6/23-7/3
9:45 AM
#210111B2
Session 3
7/7-7/17
9:45 AM
#210111C3
Session 4
6/9-6/19
5:35 PM
#210111D4
Session 5
6/23-7/3
5:35 PM
#210111F5
Session 6
7/7-7/17
5:35 PM
#210111G6
Level I (M-TH)
Session 1
6/9-6/19
10:15 AM
#210101A1
Session 2
6/23-7/3
10:15 AM
#210101B2
Session 3
7/7-7/17
10:15 AM
#210101C3
Session 4
6/9-6/19
6:05 PM
#210101D4
Session 5
6/23-7/3
6:05 PM
#210101F5
Session 6
7/7-7/17
6:05 PM
#210101G6
Level II (M-TH)
Session 1
6/9-6/19
10:15 AM
#210102A1
Session 2
6/23-7/3
10:15 AM
#210102B2
Session 3
7/7-7/17
10:15 AM
#210102C3
Session 4
6/9-6/19
6:05 PM
#210102D4
Session 5
6/23-7/3
6:05 PM
#210102F5
Session 6
7/7-7/17
6:05 PM
#210102G6
Level III (M-TH)
Session 1
6/9-6/19
10:15 AM
#210103A1
Session 2
6/23-7/3
10:15 AM
#210103B2
Session 3
7/7-7/17
10:15 AM
#210103C3
Session 4
6/9-6/19
7:00 PM
#210103D4
Session 5
6/23-7/3
7:00 PM
#210103F5
Session 6
7/7-7/17
7:00 PM
#210103G6
Level IV (M-TH)
Session 1
6/9-6/19
11:05 AM
#210104A1
Session 2
6/23-7/3
11:05 AM
#210104B2
Session 3
7/7-7/17
11:05 AM
#210104C3
Session 4
6/9-6/19
7:00 PM
#210104D4
Session 5
6/23-7/3
7:00 PM
#210104F5
Session 6
7/9-7/19
7:00 PM
#210104G6
Level V (M-TH)
Session 1
6/9-6/19
11:05 AM
#210105A1
Session 2
6/23-7/3
11:05 AM
#210105B2
Session 3
7/7-7/17
11:05 AM
#210105C3
     
Level VI (M-TH)
Session 1
6/9-6/19
11:05 AM
#210106A1
Session 2
6/23-7/3
11:05 AM
#210106B2
Session 3
7/7-7/17
11:05 AM
#210106C3
     
Diving (M-TH)
Session 1
6/9-6/19
11:00 AM
#210108D1
Session 2
6/23-7/3
11:00 AM
#210108D2
Session 3
7/7-7/17
11:00 AM
#210108D3
     

How to Choose the Correct Level of Learn to Swim Class:
Course descriptions provide a brief overview of each level. For a complete listing of the exit skill assessment, pick up a detailed brochure at the community center.

  • Review the skills listed for each level. Can your child complete all of the skills listed? If so, advance to the next level. If not, enroll in that class.
  • Consider Parent/Child Level A if your child is 6 months to 2 years old and has either no water experience or one previous session of water adjustment lessons.
  • Consider Parent/Child Level B if your young child is: 18 months to 4 years old and has two or more previous sessions of water adjustment lessons, submerges only reluctantly (or not at all) or requires flotation support at all times. OR if your child is up to 5 years old and has little or no previous water experience in water adjustment lessons, is reluctant to enter the water or submerge, requires flotation support at all times, or may benefit from parental presence and support in the water.

Learn to Swim Program Course Descriptions:

Parent and Child Aquatics
Developed for children 6 months to 5 years of age and their parents, Parent/Child Aquatics builds swimming readiness by emphasizing fun in the water.

Parent/Child Level A/B:
Class Fee $40 (Includes eight 25-minute lessons)
Designed as water orientation for both child and parent. Parents do not need to know how to swim, but should be comfortable in the water.
• Learning Objectives:
- Learn how to enter and exit the water in a safe manner
- Feel comfortable in the water
- Submerge
- Explore buoyancy in a front and back position
- Change body positions in the water
- Learn about choosing and using life jackets

Learn to Swim Levels 1-6:
Class Fee $40 (Includes eight 45-minute lessons)
The prerequisite for each level of Red Cross “Learn to Swim” is successful demonstration of the skills learned in the preceding level. Beginners start at Level I, which has no prerequisite.

• Level 1: Introduction to Water Skills
Helps students feel comfortable in the water and enjoy the water safely.

• Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills
Gives students success with fundamental skills.

• Level 3: Stroke Development
Builds on the skills in Level 2 by providing additional guided practice.

• Level 4: Stroke Improvement
Develops confidence in the strokes learned and improves other aquatic skills.

• Level 5: Stroke Refinement
Provides further coordination and refinement of strokes.

• Level 6: Swimming and Skill Proficiency
Level 6 is designed with “menu” options that focus on preparing students with a variety of activities. Options include: Personal Water Safety, Lifeguard Readiness, Fundamentals of Diving and Fitness
Swimmer.

Learn to Swim "Diving Lessons":
Class Fee $55 (includes eight 45-minutes lessons)

This introductory level course will emphasize basic diving fundamentals. Skills presented include the front and back takeoffs, forward and back dives. The class will also include 3-meter training. Prerequisite: Must have completed Learn to Swim Level 3.

Private Lessons: Are you looking for one-on-one private instructino for your child? Private swimming lessons may be arranged the week of July 23-27 from 9:45 - 10:15am, 10:30 - 11:00am; or 11:15 - 11:45am (on a first come first served basis). Includes four 30-minute lessons. Cost $60.00. For more information, call 913-322-5550.

For additional information, contact the Parks & Recreation Department at 322-5550.