Aquatics Program

Gaffney Indoor Pool is closed for general lap and recreational swim. Please see the monthly Indoor Pool Schedule (PDF) for fitness class and active duty programming.

• Indoor Pool Schedule (PDF)
• Aquatics Course Descriptions (PDF)

Refund Policy for Group Swim Lessons

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

Limited lesson spaces are now available for ages 18+.

Contact FortMeadeLessons@gmail.com for more information.

No youth classes offered at this time.

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, we require willingness to enter water without a 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 start 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 five yards, bob five times, then safely exit
• Glide on front at least two body lengths, roll to the back and float for five 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 five 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 five body lengths, roll to back and float for 15 seconds, then roll back over and continue swimming for five 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 one minute and then swim one 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 three to five body lengths under the water

Swim Lesson Levels (PDF)

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.

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 Procedure (PDF)
• Pool Request Sample Template (PDF)