How do I know what level to enroll my child in?
If you are unsure what level to enroll your child in, you can view the American Red Cross swim lesson level descriptions here. If you are still unsure which level to enroll in you can email recmail@essex.org and we will do our best to advise you on which level to sign up for.
Where do we go when we arrive for lessons?
Families can enter the pool area through the black gate on the side of the pool house closest to the park. We ask that all families stay within the white fenced area by the butterfly shade while they wait for their child's group to get called.
What if I forget which group my child is signed up for?
At the beginning of each lesson our instructors will introduce themselves and call out the lesson level they are instructing and read off the names of all the participants in their group. If you arrive late, our swim lesson manager will help walk your child to their group.
Can I sit/stand on the side of the pool to watch my child's lesson?
Due to the number of children we provide lessons to, we have found that children are able to do their best learning in the water, and our instructors are able to do their best teaching, when their adults are able to support from a distance. Because of this, we ask that all parents observe their child's lessons from the grassy areas.
What if I sign my child up for the wrong lesson?
If you have signed your child up for a lesson and it seems that is it is not as challenging for your child, or too challenging, our instructors will do our best to adjust their teaching to best suit your child. In some cases where spacing allows, we may move your child into a different group that best supports their learning.
Why is my child staying in the same level for several sessions?
It is a perfectly normal part of your child's swimming journey to repeat certain levels more than once. Repeating the same level may just mean that your child needs additional time to work on certain foundational skills or build up more endurance before advancing.