GROUP SWIM LESSONS

Why should your child learn to swim? Swim lessons teach lifesaving skills, calms fears, keeps kids active over the summer months and helps build confidence. Swimmers will be evaluated on the first day to ensure proper placement. All classes take place at West Beach, 2330 Lake Ave, Crystal Lake unless noted.

Levels 1-5: On the last day of class, swimmers will practice their skills in clothing.

Aquatots (Ages 2-3)

Introduce your little one to the joys of the beach while setting a strong foundation for future aquatics experiences. In this level, swimmers will gain confidence around water in a fun, interactive way. Watch your little one learn to float with assistance and be introduced to proper body positioning while laying a foundation for future swimming. On the last day of class, participants will practice their skills in a life jacket. Please bring your own life jacket if you have one. Those who do not have a life jacket may borrow one for class.

Level 1-Beginner Swimmer (3 & Up)

Kick, splash and learn in this beginner friendly swim class. Swimmers will gain comfort going underwater, learn proper body positioning and prepare to conquer assisted forward movement. On the last day of class, participants will practice their skills in a life jacket. Please bring your own life jacket if you have one. Those who do not have a life jacket may borrow one for class. Children are evaluated on the first day of class to provide proper placement.

Level 2-Swimmin' Solo (4 & Up)

Swimmers will use their knowledge and experience in the water to conquer independence in the water. Forward movement on the back and belly are emphasized in this playful, goal driven class. Important safety skills such as rolling to one’s back to breathe are taught in this class.

Level 3-Kickin' & Swimming (4 & Up)

You can swim, now can you use technique? Swimmers will build upon their skills and master the front crawl and back crawl strokes. Swimmers in this level will master their flutter kicks and learn dolphin and froggy kicks.

Level 4-Swimmers With Style (4 & Up)

Swimmers in this level will refine their front and back crawl into a proper freestyle and backstroke. Swimmers will also learn and master treading water and will be introduced to the breaststroke.

Level 5-Swimmers With Strokes (4 & Up)

Refine your strokes and master the butterfly in this level! Swimmers will spend the session working through ’drills’ to help master proper swimming technique in each stroke. Additionally, swimmers will learn surface dives and how practice retrieving an object from a deeper portion of the swim area.

Level 6 & 7-Swimmers with Endurance

You know the strokes, now its time to apply them! Swimmers in this level work on endurance and skills that coincide with open water swimming. In this level, swimmers will be introduced to how their foundation of swimming can be used in emergencies and will be introduced to the drills our lifeguards do in trainings. On the last day of class, swimmers will participate in a mini "Guard Games" competition with CLPD lifeguards.

Classes will be posted May 6, 2027.

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PRIVATE SWIM LESSONS

Designed for swimmers of all ages and abilities, private swim lessons offer individualized instruction in a supportive environment. Our instructors tailor each lesson to the participant’s skill level and goals, focusing on water safety, stroke development, and confidence-building. Whether you are learning the basics or refining advanced techniques, private lessons provide personalized attention to help you become a stronger, more confident swimmer.

*Private lessons are 1-on-1 and are not available for 2 or more.

Classes will be posted May 6, 2027.

LIFEGUARD TRAINING

The Crystal Lake Park District takes pride in training and hiring confident, responsible young adults to patrol our beaches and keep our swimmers safe at all times. We offer lifeguard training classes several times per year. This class provides full certification upon course completion.

This lifeguard certification class provides entry-level lifeguard candidates with the skills and knowledge necessary to prevent, recognize and respond to emergencies and to provide care for injuries and sudden illness until advanced medical personnel arrive and take over. This class is taught in a blended learning format with an online portion that must be completed prior to attending the first class.

Swimming & Age Prerequisites:

  • Minimum age: 16
  • Swim 300 yards consecutively
  • Retrieve a 10 lb object from the deepest portion of the swim area (about 8-10 feet)
  • Tread water for 2 minutes, one minute without hands/arm support
  • Participate in a simulated deep water search successfully

ALL classes must be attended for the entire length of time. Students will participate in a series of tests throughout the course in order to pass the course. Students who pass the course will receive an StarGuard ELITE certificate for Lifeguarding, basic life support, and First Aid. These certifications are valid for one year. Lifeguards who are hired by the Crystal Lake Park District will receive a $150 refund back to the original payment method after successfully completing a summer of work. These refunds are distributed shortly after Labor Day.

This lifeguard certification class provides entry-level lifeguard candidates with the skills and knowledge necessary to prevent, recognize and respond to emergencies and to provide care for injuries and sudden illness until advanced medical personnel arrive and take over. This class is taught in a blended learning format with an online portion that must be completed prior to attending the first class. Location: West Beach

2027 CLASS REGISTRATION BEGINS MAY 6, 2027