Overview

Swim laps, enjoy some family time, or learn valuable water safety skills year-round in our indoor pool. The YMCA has been teaching swim lessons for more than 100 years and we're committed to helping kids, adults, and families become strong, confident swimmers! Teaching children how to swim can significantly reduce their risk of drowning and give them the skills they need to enjoy the water safely. Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes, offers endless opportunities for family fun in and around the water. From summer days spent swimming in the lakes to winter afternoons at an indoor pool, water is a constant part of our lives. But with this abundance of water comes a crucial responsibility: ensuring our children are safe. That's why swim lessons at the Alexandria Area YMCA are more than just a fun activity; they're a vital investment in your child's well-being.

Additional Information

Program Details

• Small Class Sizes: Classes are limited to six swimmers so your child can receive individual attention.
• Progressive Skill Development: We use a step-by-step approach to build skills gradually, ensuring that each child progresses at their own pace.
• Fun and Engaging Activities: Our instructors use creative and engaging activities to keep children motivated and excited about swimming.

Swim Lesson Levels (Ages 6 - 12 years)

• Learn-to-Swim Level 1: Intro to Water Skills
  • Prerequisites: for children who are not yet able/comfortable submerging underwater.
  • Focus: introduces participants to the water through basic aquatic skills, safety practices, and developing comfort and confidence. Swimmers begin building positive attitudes, safe habits, and foundational swimming techniques that they will continue to strengthen in higher levels. Many of the skills in this level overlap with Preschool Aquatics Levels 1 and 2, creating a smooth transition for children advancing into the Learn-to-Swim program.
• Learn-to-Swim Level 2: Fundamentals of Aquatics Skills
  • Prerequisites: successful completion of learn-to-swim level 1.
• Learn-to-Swim Level 4
  • Prerequisites: successful completion of learn-to-swim level 3. Must be able to swim front crawl and elementary backstroke independently 15 yards to enroll.
  • Focus: focuses on improving technique, endurance, and stroke proficiency. Participants build on the strokes learned in Level 3 (front crawl and elementary backstroke) by swimming longer distances with greater skill. They combine arm and leg actions to perform a rudimentary sidestroke and begin learning the breaststroke. Back crawl and butterfly are introduced, along with the fundamentals of a simple open turn at the wall, preparing participants for more advanced swimming and stroke development.
• Learn-to-Swim Level 5: Stroke Refinement
  • Prerequisites: successful completion of learn-to-swim level 4. Must be able to swim front crawl and back crawl for 25 yards to enroll.
  • Focus: focuses on refining technique and building endurance across all six strokes: front crawl, back crawl, butterfly, breaststroke, elementary backstroke, and sidestroke. Participants practice swimming longer distances with improved efficiency and learn to perform flip turns on both the front and back, preparing them for advanced swimming and competitive skill development.
• Learn-to-Swim Level 6: Fitness Swimmer
  • Beginning January 2026
  • Prerequisites: successful completion of learn-to-swim level 5. Must be able to swim front crawl and elementary backstroke for 50 yards to enroll.

Facility & Safety

• The indoor aquatic center makes the Alexandria Area YMCA the perfect place to swim laps, take swim lessons, and enjoy some family time all year long!
• A certified lifeguard is always on duty.
• In the Aquatic Center, you will find a family pool with zero-depth entry, a hot tub, 3 lap lanes, and a large water slide.
• Bring the whole family to enjoy the water slide, basketball hoops, and more in the family pool. Zero-depth entry makes it perfect for all ages.
• Pool Rules & Guidelines:
  • Respect the lifeguard on duty and the rules of this facility for your safety and enjoyment.
  • Rough or boisterous play is not permitted.
  • Inappropriate language is not permitted.
  • Running is not allowed on the pool deck or in the locker rooms.
  • Persons with a communicable disease which could be transmitted through use of the pool, is not permitted to use the pool.
  • People with open wounds could be at a risk of infection and are recommended not to use the pool.
  • Persons with infectious medical conditions, should refrain from use of the pool.
  • Proper attire, including swim diapers for infants, is required prior to entering the pool.
  • Use of age and gender appropriate changing areas is encouraged.
  • Alcohol, food, and gum are not allowed in the pool enclosure.
  • Glassware and similar material with a tendency to shatter on impact is not allowed in the pool enclosure.
• Age Guidelines for Pool Use:
  • Ages 14 and older: Permitted to use the unaccompanied by an adult in the facility.
  • Ages 7 to 13: Must be accompanied by an adult on the pool deck. Required to wear Safe Swimmer Wristbands while in the pool area.
  • Ages 6 and under: Must be accompanied by an adult in the pool, maintaining arm's length proximity.
• Water Safety Tips:
  • Don't play breath-holding games. Children should not hold their breath for a prolonged amount of time while swimming, as this can be dangerous.
  • Wear a life jacket. Inexperienced or non-swimmers should always wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket while in or around the water.
  • Reach, throw, don't go. If a child finds their friend in deep water unexpectedly, their natural reaction may be to jump in the water to try and save them. Even if a child is a great swimmer, a panicked person will overpower them, pulling the rescuer underwater. The Y's Safety Around Water program teaches the "reach, throw, don't go" concept of using a long object to reach for them and pull them to safety. By using this technique, children can help their friend without compromising their own safety.

Membership Benefits

• YMCA members get free access to the aquatics center, discounts on swim lessons, and free water group exercise classes!
• YMCA members receive special discounted pricing on swim lessons, personal training, youth sports, and more!