Swim

We provide Red Cross certified swim instruction as well as a positive environment for your children to build their aquatic confidence

Our Red Cross swim program is a vital part of the overall camp program. Campers swim twice a day, as there is an instructional swim period in the afternoon and a free swim period in the morning. The goal of the Sewataro swim program is to develop swimmers who are safe, comfortable, and confident in the water. We strive to develop our campers’ swimming proficiency to the best of their abilities. Our waterfront staff is composed of American Red Cross certified Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructors. The majority of our waterfront instructors have obtained both certifications.

Our well-trained waterfront staff of over 25 swim instructors, led by three vigilant supervisors, teach children the skills they need to learn to swim and become stronger, more confident swimmers whatever their level. They also oversee the fun at Free Swim.

For lessons, campers are grouped by ability. All campers’ swimming ability will be assessed at the start of their session. After placing children in their appropriate swim groups, we will utilize the pond and the pools for swim instruction and free swim. For Free Swim, campers will enjoy the water while they are carefully guarded.

After camp gets underway, you will receive notification of your child’s initial swim grouping. Progress sheets will be sent home with campers at the end of their session. In addition, 6 and 8 week campers will receive a progress sheet at the half-way point of their session.

The skills for each level are listed below. Here is the information for the the modifiers for how we evaluate:

• M – Master: there is a solid understanding and ability to demonstrate the skill.
• P – Proficient: The swimmer is able to demonstrate the skills and will be working on refining it.
• A – Approaching: There is a basic understanding of the skill and this will continue to be worked on and practiced.
• N – Not Introduced: This skill has not been fully introduced or reviewed with campers.

Level 1 Skills

1. Enter water using ramp, steps or side
2. Exit water using ladder, steps or side
3. Blow bubbles, 3 seconds
4. Bobbing, 5 times
5. Open eyes underwater and retrieve submerged objects, 2 times (in shallow water)
6. Front glide, 2 body lengths
7. Recover from a front glide to a vertical position
8. Back glide, 2 body lengths
9. Back float, 5 seconds
10. Recover from a back float or glide to a vertical position
11. Roll from front to back
12. Roll from back to front
13. Arm and hand treading actions (in chest-deep water)
14. Alternating leg action on front, 2 body lengths
15. Simultaneous leg action on front, 2 body lengths
16. Alternating arm action on front, 2 body lengths
17. Simultaneous arm action on front, 2 body lengths
18. Combined arm and leg actions on front, 2 body lengths
19. Alternating leg action on back, 2 body lengths
20. Simultaneous leg action on back, 2 body lengths
21. Alternating arm action on back, 2 body lengths
22. Simultaneous arm action on back, 2 body lengths
23. Combined arm and leg actions on back, 2 body lengths

Safety Topics

1. Staying safe around water
2. Recognizing the lifeguards
3. Don’t Just Pack It, Wear Your Jacket
4. Recognizing an emergency
5. How to call for help
6. Too Much Sun Is No Fun

Level 2 Skills

1. Enter water by stepping or jumping from the side (into shoulder-deep water)
2. Exit water using ladder, steps or side (from chest-deep water)
3. Fully submerge and hold breath, 10 seconds
4. Bobbing, 10 times (in chest-deep water)
5. Open eyes underwater and retrieve submerged objects, 3 times (in chest-deep water)
6. Rotary breathing, 5 times
7. Front glide, 2 body lengths
8. Float in a face-down position, 10 seconds
9. Recover from a front float or glide to a vertical position
10. Back glide, 2 body lengths
11. Back float, 15 seconds in chest-deep water
12. Recover from a back float or glide to a vertical position in chest-deep water
13. Roll from front to back
14. Roll from back to front
15. Change direction of travel while swimming on front or back
16. Tread water using arm and leg actions, 15 seconds (in shoulder-deep water)
17. Combined arm and leg actions on front, 5 body lengths
18. Finning arm action on back, 5 body lengths
19. Combined arm and leg actions on back, 5 body lenths

Safety Topics

1. Staying safe around water
2. Don’t Just Pack It, Wear Your Jacket
3. Recognizing an emergency
4. How to call for help
5. Too Much Sun Is No Fun
6. Look Before You Leap
7. Think So You Don’t Sink
8. Reach or Throw, Don’t Go
9. The danger of drains

Level 3 Skills

1. Enter water by jumping from the side (into deep water), fully submerge, then recover to the surface and return to the side
2. Headfirst entry from the side in a sitting position (in water at least 9 feet deep)
3. Headfirst entry from the side in a kneeling position (in water at least 9 feet deep)
4. Bobbing while moving toward safety, 15 times (in chest-deep water)
5. Rotary breathing, 15 times
6. Survival float on front, 30 seconds (in deep water)
7. Back float, 1 minute (in deep water)
8. Change from vertial to horizontal position on front (in deep water)
9. Change from vertical to horizontal position on back (in deep water)
10. While in a vertical position, rotate 1 full turn (in deep water)
11. Tread water, 1 minute (in deep water)
12. Push off in a streamlined position on front, then begin flutter kicking, 3 to 5 body lengths
13. Push off in a streamlined position on front, then begin dolphin kicking, 3 to 5 body lengths
14. Front crawl, 15 yards
15. Breaststroke kick, 15 yards
16. Elementary backstroke, 15 yards
17. Scissors kick, 15 yards

Safety Topics

1. Reach or Throw, Don’t Go
2. Think Twice Before Going Near Cold Water or Ice
3. Look Before You Leap
4. Developing breath control safely
5. Making good decisions – choosing an exit point

Level 4 Skills

1. Headfirst entry from the side in a compact position (in water at least 9 feet deep)
2. Headfirst entry from the side in a stride position (in water at least 9 feet deep)
3. Swim underwater, 3 to 5 body lengths (without hyperventilating)
4. Feetfirst surface dive, submerging completely
5. Survival swimming, 1 minute (in deep water)
6. Front crawl open turn
7. Back crawl open turn
8. Tread water using 2 different kicks (modified scissors, modified breaststroke or rotary), 2 minutes
9. Front crawl, 25 yards
10. Breaststroke, 15 yards
11. Butterfly, 15 yards
12. Push off in a streamlined position on back and begin flutter kicking, 3 to 5 body lengths
13. Push off in a streamlined position on back and begin dolphin kicking, 3 to 5 body lengths
14. Elementary backstroke, 25 yards
15. Back crawl, 15 yards
16. Sidestroke, 15 yards

Safety Topics

1. Reach or Throw, Don’t Go (reaching assist, throwing assist)
2. Recreational water illnesses
3. Think So You Don’t Sink
4. Look Before You Leap

Level 5 Skills

1. Shallow-angle dive from the side (in water at least 9 feet deep)
2. Shallow-angle dive, glide 2 to 3 body lengths and begin any front stroke (in water at least 9 feet deep)
3. Tuck surface dive, submerging completely
4. Pike surface dive, submerging completely
5. Front flip turn while swimming
6. Backstroke flip turn while swimming
7. Tread water, 5 minutes
8. Tread water, using legs only, 2 minutes
9. Front crawl, 50 yards
10. Breaststroke, 25 yards
11. Butterfly, 25 yards
12. Elementary backstroke, 50 yards
13. Back crawl, 25 yards
14. Standard (back) scull, 30 seconds
15. Sidestroke, 25 yards

Safety Topics

1. How to call for help and the importance of knowing first aid and CPR
2. Recreational water illnesses
3. Reach or Throw, Don’t Go
4. Look Before You Leap
5. Think So You Don’t Sink
6. Think Twice Before Going Near Cold Water or Ice
7. Wave, Tide or Ride, Follow the Guide

Level 6 Skills

1. Front crawl, 100 yards
2. Elementary Backstroke, 100 yards
3. Back crawl, 50 yards
4. Breaststroke, 50 yards
5. Sidestroke, 50 yards
6. Butterfly, 50 yards
7. Front crawl open turn while swimming
8. Back crawl open turn while swimming
9. Front flip turn while swimming
10. Backstroke flip turn while swimming
11. Sidestroke open turn while swimming
12. Butterfly turn while swimming
13. Breaststroke turn while swimming
14. HELP position, 2 minutes (in deep water)
15. Huddle position, 2 minutes (in deep water)
16. Feetfirst surface dive (in water at least 7-feet deep)
17. Tuck surface dive (in water at least 7-feet deep)
18. Pike surface dive (in water at least 7-feet deep)
19. Back float, 5 minutes (in deep water)
20. Survival float, 5 minutes (in deep water)
21. Survival swimming, 10 minutes
22. Tread water, using legs only, 2 minutes (in deep water)
23. Surface dive and retrieve an object from the bottom (in water at least 7 to 10 feet deep)

Safety Topics

1. Think So You Don’t Sink
2. Swim as a Pair Near a Lifeguard’s Chair
3. Know About Boating Before You Go Floating
4. Look Before You Leap
5. The danger of drains
6. The dangers of hyperventilation and extended breath-holding

If you are interested in receiving more detailed information about your child’s progress at any time, we strongly encourage you to call to speak with a Swim Supervisor.

No Swim

Anytime you do not want your child to go in the water, please send an e-mail or note addressed “No Swim.”