swimming lessons for a 3 year old...help

So DS was 3 in January and I would like to get him to take some kind of swimming lessons this spring/summer.

I always intended to do the classes at Sachem HS, but due to budget cutbacks, they aren't running the program anymore (a shame as my neighbors recommended it!!)

So that leaves 3 options (unless I'm missing something):
1. Islip town of recreation program...now this is actually more costly than I though. Its $200 for a family membership, than $30 for Liam's class. Keep in mind we're in a condo and use the pool here so we would ONLY be using it for swimming lessons. Another bummer, the class is 3-4 year old but only runs M-F during the summer (I won't be on maternity leave and DH's hours change in the summer so probably cannot do it)

2. Saf-T-Swim...I personally wanted DS to have more of a "class" experience, kinda like I did as a kid. I also HATE how the prices don't seem concrete. Can anybody give me an idea of price ranges?

3. the YMCA. Same as the Islip Town of Rec. I would still have to get a family pass.


Can anybody help me out? Advice, tips, costs? i'm in Holbrook and will be on maternity leave during April-May and would LOVE to do this with DS during that time (since my DH works nights). Keep in mind, DS is beyond the "mommy & me" swim classes. LOL

Thanks!
Kerry

Re: swimming lessons for a 3 year old...help

The Town of Islip has some pretty awesome programs (jealous!), so if you are going to utilize the other programs as well, I would just get the family membership. Although, for JUST swimming lessons, do you actually need a family one? Do they have an individual membership for programs like the YMCA does?

Re: swimming lessons for a 3 year old...help

You can get a program membership at the YMCA for the swimming lessons. For us, it's $100/year and the cost of the lessons. It's less expensive than a family membership.

Re: swimming lessons for a 3 year old...help

Re: swimming lessons for a 3 year old...help

Message edited 2/16/2012 11:49:21 AM.

Re: swimming lessons for a 3 year old...help

Re: swimming lessons for a 3 year old...help

You do not need a program membership unless you are registering for a program. You would just get one for your child.

Re: swimming lessons for a 3 year old...help

For the Y, you need a program membership for your child. It's good for the swim class and any other classes you might want to register him for a year (i.e., it expires a year from the day you take it out). It's $70 for the program membership. The class runs 8 weeks, every 8 weeks, all year long. And the class is $100 for each 8 week session. The class you'll be registering him for, if you opt for the Y, is the Pike class. That's a 3-5 year old class, no parent.
Obviously, I'm a Y employee and swim instructor there If you want to know more about the class, let me know!

Re: swimming lessons for a 3 year old...help

If you wait until the pool is open, you might ask one of the lifeguards to give private lessons.

ETA - they used to give lessons when I was a kid - not anymore. Not sure if they have enough interest if they'd do it again.

Message edited 2/16/2012 10:00:27 PM.

Re: swimming lessons for a 3 year old...help

Posted by Ookpik

For the Y, you need a program membership for your child. It's good for the swim class and any other classes you might want to register him for a year (i.e., it expires a year from the day you take it out). It's $70 for the program membership. The class runs 8 weeks, every 8 weeks, all year long. And the class is $100 for each 8 week session. The class you'll be registering him for, if you opt for the Y, is the Pike class. That's a 3-5 year old class, no parent.
Obviously, I'm a Y employee and swim instructor there If you want to know more about the class, let me know!

Re: swimming lessons for a 3 year old...help

It probably won't fill up-the PIKE class usually has a lot of availability.
I'm not sure how the Patchogue Y works but in Bay Shore, there's a couple of windows you can observe through. You can always speak to the instructor to see if you can stay on deck-although it gets REALLY hot!