Aquatics Program

Please Read: DFMWR COVID-19 Updates, for hours/services impacted by COVID-19

Lap Swim Hours

The facility is currently closed.

Monday	6 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesday	6 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Wednesday	9 a.m. - 1 p.m. 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Thursday	6 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday	Closed
Saturday	9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Sunday	9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Holidays	Closed

Indoor Pool

A six-lane, 25 meter pool located at Gaffney Fitness Center. It starts at 3 feet, and ends at 10. 3 lanes will always be available for lap swim on a first come first served basis anytime the pool is open. Up to 3 lanes may be used for programming or unit reservations anytime.

Authorized children ages 13-17 may use the fitness center with an authorized adult/patron. Children must have an ID or document with proof of age to enter the facility. The adult must be with the adolescent at all times.

Children 13-17 must be able to swim at least a 300 meters (12 lengths of pool) continuously in freestyle or breaststroke or a combination of the two without assistance of training equipment to participate in lap swimming hours.

Children under 13 may only use the pool during recreational swim (when offered), swim lessons, or a designated CYS scheduled program.

Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult at all times while in the pool/locker-room area.

Water Aerobics

Water Aerobics Class Schedule

Class	Day / Time
All Aqua	Sat /8-8:45 a.m.
Aqua Mat - Balance Training	Wed/1:30-2:15 p.m.

Group Swim Lessons

Not offering swim lessons at this time.

We will post information once program information and schedule are available.

Refund Policy For Group Lessons

Refund Policy for Group Swim Lessons

A pro-rated refund will be given under the following circumstances - permanent change of station -injury or illness which would prevent further participation.
All requests for refunds must be done in writing accompanied by supporting documentation. Please submit a copy of the PCS orders or doctors note in order to initiate the refund process. The refund will be credited to the family's household. Once the session you have registered for ends, no refunds will be given.

Private Lessons

Private Lessons:

$30 per thirty minute lesson
$100 for four thirty minute lessons.

Private swim lesson reservations will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.
Lesson schedules are subject to instructor availability.
Available for all ages and skill levels

Contact

Please call +1(301)677-7916 or email fortmeadeaquatics@gmail.com for more information and to schedule the time for your lessons.

Cancellation/Rescheduling Policy

A 24 hour notification is required in order to reschedule/cancel your lesson, otherwise you will be charged for the missed lesson and no makeups will be allowed. Please call +1(301)677-7916 to notify the instructor of your cancellation or rescheduling request.

Private Swim Lessons (PDF)

Swim Lesson Levels

Swim Lessons are for ages 5-12. Pre-school ages 3-5, and parent/child ages 6 months-3 years. However, sometimes a child's skill level falls outside the typical level for his or her age, and we will work with SKIES to place them accordingly.

The prerequisite for each level is the successful completion and/or demonstration of the skills from the preceding level. For Level 1, willingness to enter water without parent and stay with the class group.

Parent and Child (6 months to 3 years)

Teaches safe behaviors around the water and develops swimming readiness by leading parents and their children in water exploration activities with the objective of having fun and becoming comfortable in, on, and around water. Parent must be in water with the child.

* Seasonal offering. Classes starts in June/Summer, not offered during the Fall/Winter sessions.

Preschool (3-5 years)

Aims to promote the developmentally appropriate learning of fundamental water safety and aquatic skills by young children.

To enroll in Preschool, participants should be able to demonstrate the following:

Children must be willing to enter the water without the parent and stay with the class group.

Learn-to-Swim (5-12 years)

Level 1

Orients participants to the aquatic environment, begins to develop safe practices around the water, and helps them gain basic aquatic skills such as water entry and exit; breath control and submerging; floating and gliding on the front and back; and treading in chest-deep water. Arm and leg actions are also introduced at this level.

To enroll in level 1, participants should be able to demonstrate the following:

Willingness to enter the water without parent and stay with the class group.

Level 2

Builds on fundamental aquatic skills learned in Level 1 such as breath control and submerging; floating and gliding on front and back; swimming using combined arm and leg actions on the front and back; and treading in shoulder-deep water.

To enroll in level 2, participants should be able to demonstrate the following:

Enter the water independently, travel at least 5 yards, bob 5 times, then safely exit
Glide on front at least 2 body lengths, roll to the back and float for 5 seconds, then recover to a vertical position

Level 3

Focuses on stroke development, including front crawl and elementary backstroke. Participants will be introduced to the breaststroke, scissors and dolphin kicks, and build on the fundamentals of treading water in deep water. This class aims to help participants achieve basic water competency in a pool environment. Diving skills may also be introduced in this level.

To enroll in level 3, participants should be able to demonstrate the following:

Step into chest-deep water, push off the bottom and tread or float for 15 seconds, then swim on the front and/or back for 5 body lengths before exiting the water
Float on back for 15 seconds, roll over to the front, then recover to a vertical position
Push off and swim on front for 5 body lengths, roll to back and float for 15 seconds, then roll back over and continue swimming for 5 body lengths with combined arm and leg action

Level 4

Focuses on improving participants' proficiency in performing the following swimming strokes: front crawl, breaststroke, butterfly, back crawl, and sidestroke. Participants may also work on diving skills.

To enroll in level 4, participants should be able to demonstrate the following:

Enter deep water, tread/float for 1 minute and then swim 1 length of the pool using front crawl and/or elementary backstroke
Push off in a streamline, swim 15 yards front crawl, change direction and swim 15 yards elementary backstroke

Level 5

Focuses on stroke refinement for all six strokes: front crawl, breaststroke, butterfly, back crawl, elementary backstroke and sidestroke. Participants will work on surface dives, flip turns and may work on diving skills.

To enroll in level 5, participants should be able to demonstrate the following:

Enter deep water, swim 25 yards of front crawl followed by 25 yards of elementary backstroke
Swim 15 yards breaststroke followed by 15 yards back crawl
Swim a distance of 3 to 5 body lengths under the water

Swim Lesson Levels (PDF)

Frequently Asked Questions (Swim Lessons)

Which Level is right for me or my child?
Choose the Learn-to-Swim level that best matches your child’s “learn-to-swim” needs. Level 1 is for beginners with little or no experience in the water. To enroll into Levels 2-6, students must have completed or at least be able to confidently demonstrate the skills listed in the previous level, including the exit skill requirements. Use the learn-to-swim skills list as a guide to help you determine the appropriate level if skills cannot be assessed before swim lesson registration.

How many lessons will it take for my child to “swim”?
Learning skills varies among children. Readiness is influenced by physical development, previous experiences, home environment, parental attitudes and individual preferences. For most skills, there are simple prerequisites, activities and lead ups that can prepare the child to perform those skills. It may take many lessons before a child can swim independently. Year round practice, regular (supervised) exposure to water and positive encouragement are ways parents can help their child to progress. To make sure your child does learn to swim well, be sure they complete all of the learn-to-swim levels.

Inclement Weather/Make-up Policy

For questions about inclement weather and class cancellations please call +1(301)677-3716 or +1(301)677-3724 If the facility needs to cancel a lesson, a special make-up class will be offered usually on the break between sessions. You will be informed by the instructor of the make-up date.

Pool Reservations

Pool Reservations Procedure (PDF)