Swim, Sports & Play
The Casco Bay Branch offers family-friendly group exercise classes, encouraging a healthy lifestyle from an early age.
At the Y our goal is to reach out to all members of our community to provide lessons to as many people as possible. With large and small pool options, we provide a safe, comfortable place for children to experience the water, from the first time out of the tub through eight progressive levels. Our well trained instructors teach personal safety tips, swim strokes, and enrich lessons with character-building activities and values. We offer lessons in both the large and small pools at the Casco Bay, Greater Portland and Northern York branches, and the warm water instruction pool at the Pineland Branch specializes in beginner to intermediate swims (through the Guppy level). Please review level requirements prior to registering. Swim lessons are subject to change based on enrollment levels.
PRESCHOOL AND YOUTH LEVEL REQUIREMENTS:
Ages 6 Months – 3 ½
Shrimp/Kipper: Ages 6 months to 2 years with Parent. This class is an introductory class for those children just starting out, with parents in the pool with them. It introduces children to the water through songs and games.
Inia/Perch: Ages 2 to 3 years with Parent. This class is an introductory class for those children who are just starting out and need a parent in the water with them. This class helps get children comfortable and more independent in the water. Buoyancy belts are used along with skills and songs. Must be ready to be independent from parent before moving to Pike.
Ages 3 ½ -5
Pike: This is a non-swimmer or a child who does not like to get their face wet. Buoyancy belts are used. Must be able to swim half the width of the small pool without floatation to pass to Eel level.
Eel: This child must be able to get their face wet and paddle halfway across the pool without floatation. We are working off floatation devices and the child should show confidence without the belt. Beginner stroke skills are being taught at this level. Must be able to swim the length of the small pool without floatation before moving into Eel.
Rays: For children who are swimming without buoyancy belts. They can put their whole face under and are ready to learn more skills; like diving, front crawl arms, back crawl, elementary back stroke, etc. This class takes place primarily in the big pool, so they must be able to swim the length of the small pool to be in this level, or swim the length of the big pool to advance to Starfish.
Starfish: For children who can swim 25yds on their front and back. They will continue learning the breathing with the front crawl and the whip kick for the elementary back stroke. In addition, they will also be able to tread water, do the survival float, and learn kneel and stand up dives.
Ages 6 and Up
Polliwogs: For the older child who has never had lessons; may be hesitant to get their face wet or who is still doggy paddling. Focus on water adjustment, beginner’s strokes and floating. Must be able to swim width of small pool to move up to Guppy level.
Guppy: This child has gone through Pike-Starfish and/or Polliwogs. They are ready to go into the deeper water and work on the front crawl, backstroke, elementary backstroke, breast stroke, and endurance at a much higher level. Basic sidestroke will be introduced. They will be introduced to the big pool towards the end of the session. Must be able to do front crawl with rudimentary rotary breathing and be able to swim 25 yards before moving up to Minnow.
Minnow: This child is ready to start doing laps and really working on perfecting their strokes with the front crawl, backstroke, elementary backstroke, breast stroke, and sidestroke. All of these will go for a longer distance than the previous class. They will also learn safety skills like, jumping in the water with a life jacket on, the H.E.L.P. position and the Huddle position. Diving will be introduced in this class. Must be able to do front and back stroke proficiently and be working towards breast stroke before moving to the Fish level or join Developmental Swim Team (fee based program).
Fish: This child will start learning Sculling, feet first surface dives, and open turns on front and back. They will be able to tread water and float more. Stroke skills will continue to be developed, including breast stroke. The butterfly stroke will be introduced. Must be able to do all strokes, and working to perfect breast stroke to move to Flying Fish/Shark level or Developmental Swim Team.
Flying Fish: This child is starting to work on numerous yards for all the strokes; front crawl, backstroke, elementary backstroke, breast stroke, and sidestroke. Flip turns, open speed turns with glides, pullouts for breaststroke turns, along with the approach stroke and more on the butterfly. Students will learn Pike and Tuck surface dives along with safety issues like the throwing rescue tubes or buoys. Must know all stroke skills, and working towards perfecting butterfly and distance swimming to move to Shark level.
Sharks: This class is for those students who have successfully passed Flying Fish and are ready to increase their skill level by learning about swimming in open water, learn how to take your pulse and swim within that range. Work on crawl strokes with flip turns, breaststrokes w/pull out, trudgen crawl, swim an IM 200 yards, and learn how to use pace clocks. You will also learn more about lifeguarding skills and about ice safety and ice rescue.
YOUTH SWIM LESSONS (SPRING)
Registration Category: Swim Lessons - Youth
Date: Spring *No lessons at Casco Bay on May 18th due to the Tri for the Y.
Day: Days Vary
Time: Varies depending on class schedule. Please visit our website or check with
any branch for more information.
Ages: Varies by level
Fee: Family Membership: Free;
Individual Membership: $59
Pre-Registration and Membership Required
YOUTH SWIM LESSONS (SUMMER)
Registration Category: Swim Lessons - Youth
Date: Summer
Saturday Session: June 29 - Aug 17
Session 1: June 24 - July 3
Session 1A: June 24 - Aug 18
Session 2: July 8 - 18
Session 3: July 22 - Aug 1
Session 3A: July 22 - Aug 15
Session 4: Aug 5 - 15
Day: Sessions 1-4: 4x a week for 2 weeks,
Sessions 1A and 3A - twice a week for 4 weeks.
Saturday Session: once a week for 8 weeks.
Time: Varies depending on class schedule. Please visit our website or check with
any branch for more information.
Ages: Varies by level
Fee: Family Membership: Free;
Individual Membership: $59
Pre-Registration and Membership Required
YOUTH PRIVATE SWIM LESSONS
Registration Category: Swim Lessons - Youth
Date: Ongoing
Day: By Appt
Time: By Appt
Ages: All ages
Fee: 30 minutes: $30; 1 hour: $49
Pre-Registration and Membership Required
These lessons are for individuals (adult or youth) who prefer one-on-one instruction or whose schedule varies week-to-week. Call the Y with any questions. Times and days are tailored to the needs of the participants.
YOUTH SEMI-PRIVATE SWIM LESSONS
Registration Category: Swim Lessons-Private
Date: Ongoing
Day: By Appt
Time: By Appt
Ages: All ages
Fee: 30 minutes: $25; 1 hour: $40
Pre-Registration Required
These lessons are for individuals who prefer personalized instruction or whose schedule varies week to week. Call the Y with any questions. Time and days are tailored to meet the needs of the participants. Minimum of two individuals required for Semi-Private Swim Lessons.
SUMMER COMPETITIVE SWIM CAMP
Registration Category: Swim Team
Date: July 8 – July 12
Day: Mon - Fri
Time: 9:00am - 3:00pm
Ages: 8 - 12 years
Fee: $195
Pre-Registration and Membership Required
This clinic will provide an in depth look at starts, turns, body position for each stroke, goal setting, dryland training, race strategies, nutrition and more. You must be able to
demonstrate all four strokes legally or have completed a successful IM in competition.
DEVELOPMENTAL SWIM TEAM
Registration Category: Swim Team
INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED COMBINED
Date: June 24 - August 14
Day: Mon & Wed
Time: 5:30 - 6:15pm
Ages: 7+
Fee: $67
Pre-Registration and Membership Required
Do you like to swim but are a little unsure about competition? Would you like to improve your stroke skills and learn more about the competitive rules without competing? Try out Developmental Swim Team. Must be able to swim the length of the big pool with an efficient front and back stroke or have passed the Minnow level. Developmental Swim Team is not a prerequisite for joining the Stripers Swim Team. It is primarily designed for those children who wish not to compete in meets. Members must have already participated in the Intermediate class before moving into the Advanced group.
COMPETITIVE STROKE WORKSHOPS
Registration Category: Swim Team
Date: Spring - Month of April
Day: Please see the Branches flyers for details
Ages: Youth: Ages 7 & up;
Adults: Ages 18 & up
Fee: $13 per workshop
Pre-Registration and Membership Required
These group workshops will be designated 1 hour blocks of time concentrating on one of the following skills: Stroke Development Workshop will focus on one stroke per clinic; Flip Turn Workshop will focus on turns front and back and open turns for fly and breast; the Start Workshop will focus on grab, track, relay, and back starts.
View the Competitive Stroke Workshops Flyer for additional details
SUMMER SWIM TEAM
Registration Category: Swim Team
Date: Session 1: May 6 - June 15
Session 2: June 16 - July 27
Day: Practice times depend on age group
Time: Varies between Mon & Weds & Fri: 4:00pm - 6:30pm
Tues & Thurs: 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Ages: Must be 7 by 12/1/13
Fee: Both Sessions: Family Membership: $205;
Individual Membership: $270
One Session: Family Membership: $105;
Individual Membership: $135
Pre-Registration and Membership Required
Summer Swim Team helps swimmers stay in shape for the fall season by working on form and basic drills along with keeping your endurance up. The summer is also an ideal time to try the swim team out because of the shorter schedule. Teamwork, character development, and hard work ethic are just a few of the values we strive for while working on improving our swimming skills and enjoying our competitive swim meets (both USA swimming league and Maine YMCA league). Build friendships with other swim team members and compete with other YMCAs. Some meets are required based on branch, swimmers compete with their own age and gender, but participate with boys and girls of all ages. Please speak with one of our coaches for more information.
PRE-SCHOOL PLAY YOGA
Registration Category: Youth Exercise
Date: Spring
Day: Sat
Time: 10:15am - 11:00am
Ages: 3 - 5 years
Fee: Family Membership: $18; Individual
Membership: $51; Non-Members: $102
Pre-Registration Required
The focus of this class will be on creative expression through play and movement; strength and flexibility; and focus and relaxation. Each class will present a unique theme in which the children will have the opportunity to engage in a hands-on learning environment.
CHILDREN’S YOGA
Registration Category: Youth Exercise
Date: Summer, No Claass 7/25
Day: Thurs
Time: 11:00 - 11:45am
Ages: 3 - 5 years
Fee: Family Membership: $18; Individual
Membership: $51; Non-Members: $102
Pre-Registration Required
In Children’s Yoga, kids will have the opportunity to exercise while learning and having fun. Classes will focus on stretching, yoga postures, and focused quiet time. Each class includes an interactive story where children use yoga and their imagination to become part of the story! Children will develop skills in balance, strength, focus and listening in this relaxed, fun class.
AFTER SCHOOL YOGA CLUB
Registration Category: Youth Exercise
Date: Spring
Day: Mon
Time: 4:15pm - 5:15pm
Ages: 7 - 10 years
Fee: Family Membership: $18; Individual
Membership: $51; Non-Members: $102
Pre-Registration Required
This class will concentrate on the importance of reducing stress that is often connected to a child’s school day responsibilities. Children will be exposed to a series of yoga poses, breath work, reflective thought through journaling, and array of arts and crafts and interactive games.
YOUTH MARTIAL ARTS
Registration Category: Youth Exercise
Date: Spring & Summer
Day: Sat
Time: 10:05am - 11:00am
Ages: 6 - 11 years
Fee: Family Membership: $18;
Individual Membership: $51
Pre-Registration and Membership Required
Martial Arts training can help your child in many aspects of their life including fitness, discipline, and team work. Each child is given the opportunity to seek their full potential and to improve awareness of their surroundings. Instructor Bill’s connection with each child is built on respect, hard work and dedication.
ADVANCED YOUTH MARTIAL ARTS
Registration Category: Youth Exercise
Date: Spring & Summer
Day: Sat
Time: 9:05am - 10:00am
Ages: 6-11 years
Fee: Family Membership: $18;
Individual Membership: $51
Pre-Registration and Membership Required
Martial Arts training can help your child in many aspects of their life including fitness, discipline, and team work. Each child is given the opportunity to seek their full potential and to improve awareness of their surroundings. Instructor Bill’s connection with each child is built on respect, hard work and dedication.
Pre-requisite: must have had experience with instructor Bill for a minimum of 6 months or prior arrangements with instructor.
TINY TOTS BOOT CAMP
Registration Category: Youth Exercise
Date: Spring & Summer
Day: Weds
Time: 10:30am - 11:15am
Ages: 4 - 6 years
Fee: Family Membership: $18; Individual
Membership: $51; Non-Members: $102
Pre-Registration Required
The Y’s interactive family trail is a great tool to get kids moving! The class will incorporate the use of the trails, stepping logs, balance beam, climbing wall, and more. It’s a great way to model healthy living from a young age!
EXPLORING DANCE
Registration Category: Youth Sports
Date: June 28 - August 9
Day: Friday
Time: 11:00am - 11:45am (3-4 years old)
12:00pm - 12:45pm (5-6 years old)
1:00pm - 1:45pm (7-9 years old)
Ages: 3 - 9 years
Fee: Family Membership: $18; Individual
Membership: $51; Non-Members: $102
Pre-Registration Required
Exploring dance in many forms, this class teaches fundamentals of movement valuable in all dance! Through traditional exercises and creative play, our little dancers will begin to learn dance vocabulary and skills with their peers. Each session explored and different theme, keeping students engaged and supporting ongoing dance training.