The Hidden Forest Swimming Lessons program is off to a great start! As of June 1, 2009, all of the classes scheduled for June are full. There are still openings in the July and August classes, but in order to secure a spot in one of the classes, please be sure to submit your child’s registration form and payment as soon as possible. (Registrations will be honored on a first-come, first-served basis.
Hidden Forest has one of the most successful programs in the city, with small class sizes, highly-qualified instructors, and the Red Cross swim program curriculum. Competitive swimmers can also benefit by learning proper stroke technique and endurance. The Red Cross program offers these water safety classes for kids of all ages, starting as young as six months of age.
Hidden Forest will be offering all Red Cross levels. Group lessons are very affordable, providing a total of eight 30-minute lessons, with typically four to six children per instructor. The 2009 class schedule, along with the 2009 registration form, is available on this website. Cost per child per session in 2009 is $90 for nonresidents and $80 for residents. A $10 sibling discount (for 2 siblings enrolled in the same session - $5 per child) will be available when registering during the same session. Private swim lessons are also available for children, teenagers,
and adults.
For more information, questions, or special requests, contact Gretchen Roufs Woodfield at Gretchen@GretchenRoufs.com (telephone 210-601-4572)
The Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Program at Hidden Forest
One of the great benefits of living in Hidden Forest is that residents have access to a the wonderful swimming program offered each summer at the Hidden Forest pool. All instructors are Red Cross trained and certified, and most of the instructors have been teaching at the Hidden Forest pool for a number of years.
Only the American Red Cross offers six comprehensive course levels that teach participants how to swim skillfully and safely. The prerequisite for each level is successful demonstration of the skills taught in the preceding level.
Each level of Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety Program includes training in basic water safety and helping a swimmer in distress, in addition to the skills outlined below. In addition to the extensive swimming classes offered, HFHOA is one of the few pools in the area that has a strong Parent and Child Aquatics program. See more details below. If you have any questions about the various program levels or requirements, contact Gretchen Roufs Woodfield at Gretchen@GretchenRoufs.com (telephone 210-601-4572).
Learn-to-Swim Program Levels
Level 1: Introduction to Water Skills
This course helps students feel comfortable in the water and to enjoy the water safely. (Students must be tall enough to stand with their head out of the water in the big HFHOA pool).
Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills
Gives students success with fundamental skills.
Level 3: Stroke Development
Builds on the skills in Level 2 by providing additional guided practice.
Level 4: Stroke Improvement
Develops confidence in the strokes previously learned and improves other aquatic skills.
Level 5: Stroke Refinement
Provides further coordination and refinement of strokes.
Level 6: Swimming and Skill Proficiency
This class is for the accomplished swimmer who wants to learn more in the water. Refines the strokes so students swim them with ease, efficiency and power over greater distances. Level 6 offers several different options. Level 6 offerings include: Lifeguard Readiness, Fundamentals of Diving, and Fitness Swimming.
Parent and Child Aquatics
This class is a wonderful bonding experience for parents and children. The class is highly individualized, based on the needs of the children. It is for children who are 6 months to 2 years old, who have little or no previous water experience, and for children who are up to 5 years old with who might benefit from parental presence and support in the water and/or for those who require flotation support at all times. The minimum age for children enrolling in Parent and Child Aquatics is 6 months, and a parent or caregiver must accompany each child into the water. Classes have between
4 and 6 children.
