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Community Classes and Programs

Vision: Water Safety, fitness, and fun for all citizens

Mission: Inclusive and equitable access to swimming, water safety, therapy, and fitness instruction to all members of the community.

Fall 2024 Swim School

Information

The APS Swim School is based on an innovative and learner-focused approach developed by Starfish Aquatics Institute. This program and its learner-focused curriculum use an “ages and stages” format, which facilitates the acquisition of skills across different skill levels and ages. This is a proven approach to helping preschoolers, youth, and adults develop a foundation of swimming and safety skills with a focus on water safety and self-rescue.

REGISTRATION for SESSION 4 OPENS OCTOBER 31 at 8:30 am

Swim School Course Descriptions

The APS Swim School is based on an innovative and learner-focused approach developed by Starfish Aquatics Institute. This program and its learner-focused curriculum use an “ages and stages” format which facilitates the acquisition of skills across different skill levels and ages and is a proven approach to help preschool, youth, and adults develop a foundation of swimming and safety skills with a focus on water safety and self-rescue.

View swim and kinder school skills steps and corresponding competencies by level: Swim/Kinder School Curriculum Competencies.

Swim School Slates

Below is a brief description of the different courses (levels) to help you determine the best fit for your student.

  • B&T Swim School (Babies & Toddlers (6 months to 3 years old): This course aims to foster in very young children a high comfort level in the water while also training the adults in water safety and drowning prevention. This course does not teach children to swim or to survive in the water. The focus is on confidence building, fun, and loving experience. The course is organized into five (5) learning phases: trust and comfort, body positions, submersion, air recovery, and rollover and forward movement. One adult must be in the water, and a second adult is welcome.
  • Pre-K Swim School (3-5 years old): In Pre-K, students will develop a high comfort level in the water and a readiness to swim. Developmentally ready children will learn functional swim skills. Instructors use creative, fun activities in the water to introduce the children to fundamental skills including submersion, body position and air recovery, direction change, forward and rotary, and integrated movement as well as important water safety and self-rescue skills. Sessions are 30 minutes in length. PreK & Swim School Core Skills and Achievement Stages
  • Kinder Swim School (3-5 years old): Pre-requisite: Ability to enter the water independently and voluntarily submerge face in water. This course is best suited for children 3-5 years old who are comfortable in a large group setting and ready to enter the water voluntarily and independently of a parent. KINDER SWIM uses fun activities to develop comfort in the water, fundamental swim skills, and water safety skills. Children will be assessed and placed into one of five learning phases. As they progress, children will learn fundamental swim skills through five color learning phases: WHITE: submersion, RED: body position and air recovery, YELLOW: forward movement and direction on change, BLUE: rotary movement, and GREEN: integrated movement. Each learning phase also includes water safety and self-rescue skills.
  • Swim School (6-13 years old):  Pre-requisite: Children under 6 years old must be assessed by an instructor. Instructors use age-appropriate, self-paced but challenging learning activities to allow students to develop core swimming competencies – submersion, body position and air recovery, direction change, forward and rotary, and integrated movement. The course is organized into five (5) learning phases (or grades) and benchmarks include submersion, jumping in, recovery, float, and kick, change directions, glide, and move using overarm pull with a kick. Safety benchmarks include using a lifejacket, assists, treading water, and survival float. At the completion of the GREEN Phase, the swimmer will be ready to enroll in STROKE SCHOOL.  PreK & Swim School Core Skills and Achievement Stages
  • Stroke I School (6-13-YEARS OLD):  PRE-REQUISITE:  Swimmers must be able to tread water and survival float for at least 30 seconds AND swim basic freestyle stroke with “swim-roll-swim” or rotary (side) breathing. Stroke I provides a transition for swimmers who have completed Swim School Green or are coming from another program.  The course is taught in the Competition Pool and focuses on endurance, deep water confidence, refining fundamental skills, and introducing stroke mechanics for all six strokes.  Swimmers will develop beginner-level competency in four learning levels:  WHITE: Freestyle, RED: Backstroke, YELLOW: Butterfly, BLUE: Breaststroke.  After successful completion of STROKE I, swimmers may enroll in STROKE II.
  • Stroke II School (6-13-YEARS OLD):  PRE-REQUISITE:  Swimmers must have completed Stroke I or be able to tread water and survival float for at least 1 min seconds AND perform the 6 strokes at a Beginner Level or better. Building on stroke mechanics learned in Stroke I, this course will focus on stroke refinement to increase efficiency and endurance. Swimmers will progress through the advanced level of the five color learning phases: WHITE: Freestyle, RED: Backstroke, YELLOW: Butterfly, BLUE: Breaststroke, and GREEN: Endurance. Each learning phase includes water safety start dives, turns, and self-rescue skills. After completing the Stroke GREEN learning phase, the swimmer may enroll in Aqua Academy and have the confidence and skill to join a competitive swim team, if desired.
  • Swim Academies: Pre-requisite: Completion of Stroke School GREEN phase or equivalent skill level. 
    • Aqua Academy (Fitness Focus) – Swimmers will continue to improve and refine the four strokes, and learn starts, turns, and training strategies; introduction to advanced swim skills such as surface and springboard diving will also be introduced. The Coaches will provide a 40-minute workout swimming workout followed by 10 minutes of new/advanced skills. This Academy aims to provide a swim team-like experience without the pressures of competition.
    • Orange Academy (Water Polo Focus) – Swimmers will be introduced to the fundamental skills needed to become proficient Water Polo players. Skills include treading water, throwing, shooting, and game strategies. Participants will receive technical instruction and engage in scrimmages. Class time will include 15-20 minutes of strength and endurance training and 20-30 minutes of Water Polo specific skill development
  • Adult Swim School (14+ years old): Students will work in groups of similar skill levels.  Groups will focus on developing core swimming competencies or endurance, and stroke refinement for freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, and backstroke. Training concepts and turns will be included.
  • Springboard Diving – Level 1 (6-13 years old): This course will introduce participants to diving safety, proper use of the springboard, and fundamental dives based on the student’s demonstrated skill level. Students must be able to swim 25 yards and tread water for 60 seconds.
  • Log Rolling School (6-13 years old): Students will learn the art of log rolling. Logrolling, as a sport, began in the late 1800s during the great logging when the timber industry used rivers to move logs to the mills. Thousands of logs floating down rivers frequently jammed, so men were hired to prevent the jams. As soon as the men stepped onto the logs, the logs would spin, dumping them into the water giving birth to the expression “It’s as easy as falling off a log!” In order to stay dry (and alive), the rivermen had to learn to roll the logs. Logrolling is a fun and exciting way to be active, and develop balance and strategy skills.

Swim School Schedule

APS SWIM SCHOOL – Session Schedule (School Year 2024-25)

The APS Swim School sessions are 8 lessons of 30 to 45 minutes (depending on the Course). Lessons are scheduled either twice/week on weekdays, or once/week on weekends.

TERM SESSION 1 SESSION 2 (Saturday) SESSION 3 SESSION 4 
FALL

 

Registration
(8:30 am)

FALL Mini Saturday

Registration (8:30 am)

Sept 9 – Oct 8

August 6

 Schedule

Sept 14 – Nov 16

August 8

Schedule

Oct 15 -Nov 14

October 1

 Schedule

Nov 18 -Dec 17

October 31

 Schedule

Nov 23-Dec 21

Nov 7

Schedule

WINTER

Registration
(8:30 am)

Jan 6 – Feb 3

December 17

Jan 25 – Mar 22

January 9

Feb 10- Mar 10

January 23

SPRING

Registration
(8:30 am)

April 28– May 22

April 10

Apr 26 – Jun 21

March 21

May 27 – Jun 19

May 15

 

How to Register

HOW TO REGISTER  

  1. Go to our Self-Service Portal (If you are new to the program we suggest you set up an account for each participant ahead of registration time using the following link:  Set up new account).
  2. Log in to the child’s/participant’s account.
  3. Using the Page Menu (on the left) or a drop-down menu if using a mobile device, select REGISTRATION
  4. You will be redirected to a “registration” page.  SELECT  “Session “x”
  5. The registration page will open with a description of the Courses offered.
  6. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and
    • Select ” I am registering for a class”
    • Open the FEE drop-down menu and select the corresponding fee (child/adult, Arlington resident/non-resident)
  7. You will be taken to the Participant Waiver. Please review and Check “I have read and understand the terms of this agreement”
  8. You are now ready to select your class using the Drop-Down menu at the very top of the page:  “Please select a class name”
    • The class offerings are grouped by Pool. Please note the pool designation at the start of the title:  Wakefield (WK); Washington-Liberty (WL); Yorktown (YT)
    • Participant’s details will appear if you are logged in to Self-Service. Please ensure that you are registering the correct student, and not a sibling or parent. Make necessary changes.
    • Advance through the pages using the “next” button
    • Include any medical or unique needs you want the staff to know about your child
    • The final screen is a summary of your registration.
  9. Select “BUY” to be directed to the payment page and complete your registration.
  10. You will receive an Invoice with no balance due that will also serve as your receipt.
  11. Class confirmation will be sent via email 3-5 days before the first day of class.
  12. You may register on the waitlist.  You will not be charged a class fee if register for a waitlist. If space becomes available you will be notified, and the charges will be processed.

If you have any questions, please call 703-228-6263,  703-228-6217 or 703-228-6264. We anticipate our phones will be busy during the first few days of registration. Your call will be returned in the order it was received, and within 24 hours. Thank you for your patience.

Rescheduling, Fees, Cancellations and Refunds

  • Please contact the Aquatics office or email us if you need to reschedule or cancel your registration.  703-228-6263 or 703-228-6264.

Swim School Fees

  • Children: $89.95
  • Adults: $89.95
  • Seniors: $89.95

All Swim School fee sales are final. If your plans change or you find the program does not meet your child’s needs, you may contact us by email to request to cancel your registration. Please note that refunds will NOT be issued for any reason after the first lesson of the series is complete. There will be NO makeup classes or refunds due to events beyond our control including inclement weather, electric, snow and ice storms that may cause the pool(s) to close. Refunds will be issued if APS must cancel the course or a lesson due to events and circumstances within APS’s control.

An income-based fee reduction is available. Please access the  Fee Reduction Form download it to complete and submit it via email to helena.machado@apsva.us. Be sure to include a scan or picture of the supporting documents. We will work to turn it around in 24 hours.

Fitness School (Shallow and Deep Water Fitness Classes)

Information and Schedule

APS Aquatics Fitness School will offer several water exercise courses on weekday mornings and midday.  Courses are available on a drop-in basis, and reservations can be made using the APS Aquatics Portal.

Courses include:

Water Exercise:  This instructor lead session, will guide participants through a water movement routine designed to develop and increase flexibility, muscle endurance, strength, cardiovascular and overall fitness.  The session is held in shallow/deep water and uses equipment such as dumbbells, and noodles.  The activities are suitable for all fitness levels including those coping with arthritis or general mobility challenges.

Below are the current Course offerings and schedule by the pool. This is subject to change based on pool and instructor availability:

DAY WAKEFIELD WASHINGTON-LIBERTY
Monday  8:00 am – 8:50 am Shallow-Deep w/Karen  8:15 am – 9:05 am  (Deep water) w/Lynda
Tuesday 12:20 am – 1:10 pm (Shallow Water) w/Lynda
Wednesday  8:00 am – 8:50 am (Shallow-Deep) w/Karen  8:15 am – 9:05 am  (Deepwater) w/Lynda
Thursday 12:20 am – 1:10 pm (Shallow Water) w/Lynda
Friday  8:00 am – 8:50 am (Shallow-Deep) w/Karen  8:15 am – 9:05 am (Shallow Water) w/Lynda
Saturday 11:00 am -11:50 am (Shallow-Deep) w/Carol)

APS Fitness School is a Drop-In Program, but it requires booking in advance. Please access the Self-Service Portal to book your session.

FITNESS SCHOOL FEES

  Adult Senior (60+)
Arlington Resident $12.00 Single Admission

$89.85 – 8-Pack

$12.00 Single Admission

$89.95 – 8-Pack

Non-Arlington Resident $16.00 Single Admission

$125.00 – 8-Pack

$16.00 Single Admission

$125.00 – 8-Pack

For more information, please contact the Aquatics Office at 703-228-6263 or email helena.machado@apsva.us.

The master schedule is subject to change based on availability. Please use the booking schedule to confirm class availability and start time.

How to Register

New users, please CLICK HERE to set up an account.

  1. Log in to the APS Self-Service Portal
  2. Using the Calendar on the Portal, select the day/date of the class you want to book.
  3. Select the Class (Classes are listed by Pool and Time).
  4. Click on “BOOK”.
    •  If you have already purchased a single or 8-pack, a window will appear saying “booking successful”
    • If you do not have an open session, you will be prompted to “BUY A PACKAGE”
    • Follow the screen prompts to buy a package.
  5. Once you complete the purchase, proceed with the Booking; you will get a “booking successful” window.
  6. You will need to book each day individually by advancing the calendar page to the date/day you want to take a class.

BOOK YOUR WATER FITNESS SESSION TODAY! USING THE APS AQUATICS PORTAL

Summer Camps

Our camps will focus on swimming instruction, stroke refinement, and water safety. Other activities will include diving and water games such as Water Polo and SKWIM. The camps will keep children active and engaged. Camp staff will include certified Diving, Water Polo, and Swimming coaches, Instructors, and Lifeguards.

Participants must be able to swim 25 yards without stopping using a prone stroke and tread water for 1 minute. Please send your camper with a swimsuit (NO ZIPPERS or GROMMETS), a towel, a pair of tennis shoes, a change of clothes, and sunscreen. Please also pack a healthy lunch and two snacks in a marked lunch bag,  and a water bottle. There will be one snack and one lunch break.

To be eligible for a refund, you must cancel at least 2-weeks before the first days of Camp. There are no refunds for missed camps and make-up days are not available. For more information, please contact the office at 703-228-6263 or 703-228-6264.

Water Adventure Camp

This week-long camp will keep children active and engaged by pairing instruction and practice in Spring Board Diving, Water Polo and Swimming Stroke Refinement with other aquatics activities and arts and crafts. Camp staff will include certified USA Diving, USA Water Polo and USA Swimming coaches and American Red Cross Water Safety Instructors and Lifeguards.

Please send your camper with a swimsuit (NO ZIPPERS or GROMMETS), a towel, pair of tennis shoes, change of clothes, sunscreen. Please also pack a healthy lunch and two snacks in a marked lunch bag,  and a water bottle. There will be two snack and one lunch break.

Session 1 Monday-Friday Aug. 12-16 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Session 2 Monday-Friday, Aug. 19-23 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Extended Care: Before Care 8-9 a.m. After Care 4-5:30 p.m.

Location: Washington-Liberty Aquatic Center

Ages: 7-14

Must be able to pass the swim test (25 yard swim and 1 minute treading water)

    • Registration Fee: $425
    • Before Care: $25
    • After Care: $25
    • Before and After Care: $45

 

Cancellations received after August 1 are not refundable. There are no refunds for missed camps and make-up days are not available. Please make sure you plan to attend Camp. Our space is limited and we want to make sure we get all the seats taken.

For more information, contact the office at 703-228-6263.

Water Adventure Camp Forms

Register for Water Adventure Camp 2024


 

Birthday Parties

pool

Book your pool party at any of our three locations!

                                                  Wakefield Pool   Washington Liberty Pool    Yorktown Pool                                                                                                                     

Pool Party Packages

  1. Regular package includes 2 hour use of the party room/pool and admission for up to 25 guests(kids and adults) for $200!!!
  2. “Party with George” package includes the use of the party room/pool and “George the Caterpillar” for 30 minutes $250.

george

The guest of honor and parents may arrive 20 minutes early to check in and set up the party room. We will provide tables and chairs. You will have access to the refrigerator/freezer. You can bring cakes, cookies, drinks etc. Please note the pool is open to patrons and other rentals during the party time as well.

Party Schedule

Wakefield Pool Sunday 10am-12pm or 2pm-4pm

Washington Liberty Pool Saturday 4pm-6pm/Sunday 2pm- 4pm

Yorktown Pool Saturday 3pm-5pm/Sunday 3pm-5pm

Cancellations

  • A full refund will be issued for cancellation request made 14 days prior to the original reservation date.
  • A request to change the time or date of a reservation will be honored on a space available basis, subject to $25 fee.

To make a reservation please click here. Select your party date, location and buy package.

For more information please contact liset.reaves@apsva.us or by calling 703-228-6263