Philosophy and Policies

Swim Lesson Philosophy

Learn to be Safe in the Water, Enjoy Swimming for Fitness and FUN

Our instructors follow a curriculum where water safety comes first. Lesson plans are designed to teach the critical lifetime swim skills you and your child need to be safe in and around the water. It is ideal for children to be proficient swimmers by no later than third grade and should begin their aquatic development as early as six-months old. No one is ever drown-proof, but being able to swim 300 yards continuously will significantly lower you or your child’s chances of drowning.

What are the benefits of learning to swim early?

Learning to swim early will not only help keep your child safe, but will also help shape their character. Swimming teaches confidence, determination and self-reliance, as well as developing motor skills and balance. Swimmers tend to be high academic achievers because swimming teaches how to set goals and achieve them. Swimming is a year-round activity and a very effective exercise to keep you and your child healthy and happy.

How long will it take to learn to swim?

This depends on you or your child’s age and level of fitness. It may take three or more sessions of 6 lessons each for preschoolers to learn the basic skills of floating, kicking, returning to the wall and rolling over on their back to breathe, float and rest. Older students that have mastered the first skills of breathing, floating and kicking will learn more rapidly.

How do I know when I can discontinue swimming lessons?

Knowing how to swim means that a person can maintain themselves indefinitely in the water. To do so requires the ability to exhale used air and inhale new air. That’s called Aerobic Swimming. (Just like being able to talk while you jog!) Our standard is that a person should be able to swim 300 yards non-stop, and swim a variety of different styles of swimming to be considered a “swimmer.” 300 yards is important. Scientists have found that humans can swim 200 yards without being able to breathe effectively. But without the ability to breathe effectively, eventually that person will tire and get into trouble, and possibly endanger their life. We go 1/3 beyond that point to set the standard of 300 yards of non-stop swimming.

Swim Lesson Policies

Extended Swimming with a Lesson

**During Swim Lessons, parents and siblings receive 25% off to purchase Day Passes!!

NEW Make-Up Policy

UVAC does NOT offer make-ups or refunds for your missed lessons.  If a student will miss a lesson, please let us know by email 2 hours in advance before their lesson time, we offer one adult day pass and one child day pass for future use (1 time per session ONLY)

If UVAC cancels our swim lessons due to pool closure, weather, instructor’s illness, etc., then we will offer a make up lesson during the make up lesson week. If you can not attend the make up lessons then there will be NO refund.

Withdrawals

If you decide to withdraw from the class, we will offer a 50% class fee credit. Depending on circumstances, a refund may be authorized by our Swim School Director.

Pool Closures

Please be aware that the pool sometimes closes without advance notice due to inclement weather or “accidents”. Feel free to call the weather hotline at 802-698-8361. All notifications will be sent out via email, Text if you’ve opted in, and posted on our homepage, and on Facebook

Class Size

We reserve the right to cancel or consolidate a class if enrollment minimum of 3 is not met. There will be up to 4 to 1 ratio for younger children and 6 to 1 for older children.

Membership Fees