Aquatic Programs

Enjoy swimming activities for all ages, interests and abilities. Learn to swim with Red Cross swim lessons. Have fun with your friends and family at open swims, including open swims for women only. Get fit with lap swim and water exercise. Develop competitive swimming and diving skills, and earn certification to be a lifeguard or swim instructor. Safety is our first priority, and lifeguards are on duty for all Community Education aquatic activities. Fee assistance is available. For more information, email aquatics@district196.org, or call 952-431-8777.

We are proud to be partnering with American Red Cross, American Safety and Health Institute and Make a Splash.

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Swim Lessons for All Ages

Learn to Love to Swim: Swim Lessons for All Ages and Abilities

Learn to swim. Our caring and dedicated instructors are Red Cross-trained to help you and/or your child enjoy developing swimming and water safety skills in our positive learning environment. Swim lessons are offered for children ages six months and older, teens and adults. Lessons are also available in formats for youth with special needs and a women-only format.

Course descriptions and comparisons to other swim lesson programs

Key elements of learning include

Effective lesson planning
Teaching techniques appropriate to students’ abilities including explanations, demonstrations, and skill practice
Balanced group and individual practice time
Individual attention to students with positive and constructive feedback

Instructors and Aides are trained in

Principles of water safety
Sciences of hydrodynamics and exercise physiology
Principles of motor learning
Proper techniques for swimming and diving
Effective skill progressions to teach swimming and diving
Class management and teaching techniques

Well-rounded curriculum includes

Basic skills for water adjustment
Four competitive strokes: Front Crawl (Freestyle), Back Crawl (Backstroke), Breaststroke and Butterfly
Two resting strokes: Elementary Backstroke and Sidestroke
Other skills including: Safety skills, treading water, surface dives, underwater swimming, diving, and competitive starts and turns

We're hiring!

We employ nearly 200 youth, young adults and adults as locker room attendants, water safety assistants, instructors and lifeguards. Do you want to work with kids, make extra money, work in a safe environment, enjoy a flexible schedule and gain valuable work experience? We offer employment opportunities for those age 14 and older and if you don't have certification, we have a hands-on training program!

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WATER SAFETY INSTRUCTORS (AGES 15+)

Teaching children to swim is a rewarding experience as it provides them with the knowledge and skills to save their lives or another person's life. The ability to swim also gives them the opportunity for a lifetime of enjoyment in the water. Training: The Water Safety Instructor, WSI, training course provides certification to teach American Red Cross swim lessons. The minimum age is 15 years old.

WATER SAFETY AIDES (AGES 14+)

Teaching children to swim is a rewarding experience as it provides them with the knowledge and skills to save their lives or another person's life. The ability to swim also gives them the opportunity for a lifetime of enjoyment in the water. Training: Certification can be earned in two different ways. The preferred method is through taking the Water Safety Aide course. An alternative method of training is through our hands-on training program. This training is only done for people that are hired with an agreement to complete the program. The minimum age for employment as a water safety aide is 14 years old.

LIFEGUARDS (AGES 15+)

Although prevention of injuries is our first priority in District 196 pools, lifeguards also need to be trained and ready to respond in the event of an emergency. Maturity and good decision-making skills are qualities sought in lifeguards. Training: The Lifeguard training course provides a three-year certification in lifeguarding and first aid as well as a one year certification in CPR and AED for the professional rescuer. Minimum age is 15 years old.

LIFEGUARD INSTRUCTORS AND CPR INSTRUCTORS (ages 17+)

District 196 conducts an extensive training program and instructors are needed to teach Lifeguarding, First Aid, CPR and AED. Training: lifeguards that are age 17 or older may take the Red Cross certification course to become lifeguard instructors.

WATER EXERCISE INSTRUCTORS (ages 18+)

Teaching adult fitness classes is rewarding. Prior experience teaching water exercise and certification through an accredited agency is preferred.

SWIMMING AND DIVING COACHES (ages 16+)

Experienced competitive swimmers, preferably with WSI certification, are needed to coach our REVolution Swimming program. Competitive divers are needed for our Divers Challenge courses also.

Certification Training

Water Safety Aide (ages 13+)

Do you seek employment as a swim instructor aide? This class is for you! CPR and First Aid training are included. Attendance at all class sessions is mandatory. Students are qualified to apply for employment at the age of 14.

Water Safety Instructor (ages 15+)

Become certified to teach American Red Cross Swim Lessons. Attendance at all class sessions is mandatory.

Junior Lifeguarding (ages 11-14)

This course builds a foundation of knowledge, attitudes and skills for future lifeguards.

Lifeguarding (ages 15+)

The Waterpark Module is included in all the Lifeguarding courses we teach and can also be added when renewing certifications
The Waterfront Module (for guarding at beaches) can be added to our Lifeguarding course or Lifeguarding renewal courses

Renew your lifeguarding, first aid and CPR/AED for the professional rescuer with a lifeguarding renewal class.

Students must successfully complete all prerequisites, perform all required skills and pass the written test for certification renewal. Participants must present verification of current American Red Cross Lifeguard certification.

Lifeguarding Instructor (ages 17+)

Become certified to teach American Red Cross Lifeguarding. Students that successfully complete the course will be provided the opportunity to become certified in Waterfront and Waterpark Lifeguarding also.

Lifeguarding Instructor Review (ages 17+)

Renew your American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor certification (must be current). Attendance is mandatory. Lifeguarding Renewal (Code: QLGILGR) will be offered after completion of this course for those wishing to renew a basic Lifeguarding certification. Waterpark Skills Module (Code: QLGIWP for new certification, QLGIRWP for renewal) and Waterfront Skills Module (Code: QLGIWF for new certification, QLGIRWF for renewal) will also be offered. Register separately for these.

CPR/AED for the professional rescuer, CPR for the lay rescuer and first aid certifications and renewals

Be prepared for an emergency! Earn certification in CPR/AED and/or First Aid for laypersons and professionals. Certifications by the American Safety and Health Institute are accepted as certifications given by the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.

Adult Fitness & Training

Health and Wellness is fun in the pool!

Whatever your goals, whether seeking to maintain or improve your general health and fitness, recuperating from an injury or illness, or training to be at the peak of your ability, Community Education has a program for you to enjoy. Adult fitness opportunities are open to middle school-aged students and older when accompanied by an adult.

Water Exercise

Adults of all ages and fitness levels love Water Exercise! Our instructor will lead you in an organized workout to music that develops both cardiovascular endurance and muscular strength. No pre-registration is required. Drop in at your convenience. Classes are also open to middle school-aged students and older when accompanied by an adult.

Adult Lap Swim

Swim laps at your own pace to keep in shape all season long. Register or drop-in at your convenience.

Aqua Zumba

Enjoy exercising in water! Our instructor will lead you in a workout that combines land Zumba with water. Aquatics Adult Fitness is open to middle school age students accompanied by an adult.

Open Swims

Bring your friends and family for fun in the pool at Open Swim. Locker rooms are available for changing. Women-only swim environment is also available.

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Open Swim Guidelines

Family rate applies to parents/guardians and children. This rate does not apply to extended family.
We are not responsible for any lost or stolen articles. Please leave valuables at home.
All swimmers unable to swim the width of the pool must be accompanied by an adult or be able to stand on the bottom of the pool (48”).
Only U.S. Coast Guard approved flotation devices may be used in district pools.
No inner tubes, air mattresses, full-face masks, or snorkels are allowed at open swims.
The use of photography and videography devices is prohibited in the locker rooms.
Additional pool regulations may be posted at the pools.

Competitive Swimming & Diving

Join the REVolution for competitive swimming for grades Five through twelve!

Join the REVolution for competitive swimming! Coaches focus on skill development and conditioning creating an ideal experience for first-time competitive swimmers as well as experienced swimmers. Prerequisite: Students grades 5-12 with successful completion of Red Cross Level 4 or 3 sessions of Level 4 or equivalent skills, or successful swim evaluation for grades 3 & 4.

Develop your skills for competitive diving!

Introduction to Springboard Diving

Learn basic diving skills, progressing from diving from the side of the pool to the basic front dive with approach and hurdle from the diving board.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Level 3 or equivalent skills.

Divers Challenge - School Year Only

Learn springboard diving through individualized coaching on technique and form. This course is for divers who are able to perform a basic springboard dive with an approach and hurdle.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Level 3 or equivalent skills.

REVolution Competitive Diving - Summer Only

Join the REVolution for a new experience in competitive diving. Register according to grade level in the coming fall. Divers that qualify as gifted athletes for high school diving may register for the high school session. Divers will be given the opportunity to have their dives judged in a competitive format.

Water Safety Activity Sheets

Be Cool Follow the Rules

Don't Just Pack It, Wear Your Jacket

In Your House and In Your Yard, Watch for Water, Be on Guard

Know About Boating Before You Go Floating

Look Before You Leap

Reach or Throw, Don't Go

Swim as a Pair Near a Lifeguard's Chair

Think so You Don't Sink

Think Twice Before Going Near Cold Water or Ice

Too Much Sun is No Fun

Wave, Tide or Ride, Follow the Guide

Pool Rentals

Do you need a fun place for a birthday, anniversary or other special party? Rent one of the district's pools! It's the perfect, safe place to gather. Pools may be rented in the evenings and on weekends. Check out our rental rates and facility rental section for information and availability.

Pool Rental with Log Rolling: Includes instruction and time to play! Terrific for groups ... scout groups, church groups, athletic associations, birthday parties, and exercise groups!

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