Swim Lessons

Frequently Asked Questions about Swim-in Zone’s Swimming Lessons

Swim-in Zone defines swimming as moving through the water unassisted and without flotation of any kind. It does not mean front crawl.

How are the swimming lessons organized? How does your program work?
Swim-in Zone has a year-round program of swim lessons for children and adults. Our swim lessons are organized annually into 4 sessions roughly following the seasons. Children are divided by age and swimming ability. We usually have 4 children ages 3+ in our group lessons. Parents may also decide on private (1:1) and semiprivate (2:1) swim lessons. Babies 6+ months old may attend class with their parent. Adults usually prefer private lessons to fit their schedule.

How do I determine my child’s swimming level?
Our staff is very good at placing a swimmer in the correct level and is ready to assist you.
• Level 1 swimmer: cannot go underwater and is not swimming.
• Level 2 swimmer: will swim underwater where he/she feels safe and can stand up. Also starting to back float.
• Level 3 swimmer: is a wonderful underwater swimmer and is ready to learn strokes.
• Level 4 swimmer: can swim front and back crawl nicely for 25 yds.
• Swim team swimmer: knows all 4 strokes but not perfectly.
A free 15 minute swim evaluation is sometimes necessary to determine placement.

What are the overall goals in each level?
Level 1: Underwater comfortably on the steps for approximately 6 sec.
Level 2: Underwater comfortably anywhere in the pool. Able to turn over to breathe. Has skills to help be safer in the water.
Level 3: Nice front crawl (freestyle), back crawl(backstroke) & elementary backstroke.
Level 4: Longer distance for front and back crawl. Coordinate breaststroke, butterfly and sidestroke. Turns.
Level 5: All strokes and turns perfect. Able to swim 300 yards without stopping. Complete Swim-in Zone’s graduation requirements.

What is the Swim-in Zone guarantee?
Swim-in Zone guarantees that no child age 4+ (excludes children with special needs) will spend more than 3 consecutive sessions in any one color level or the 4th session is FREE (2 consecutive weeks of summer lessons= 1 session).

Pricing Questions

What are the fees?
Tuition for our swim lessons is based on the number of lessons in the session. See our pricing page for information for the current session. We also have an enrollment or registration fee that is never refundable. It is $35 per family upon registration and $15 per family for annual renewal on the anniversary date.

When do I pay? What are the payment options?
Payment is expected at registration. There is a $5.00 service fee for ½ payments. The due date for the 2nd half payment is approximately 4 or 5 weeks into the session. If you pay ½, you are obligated to pay the 2nd half on the stated due date. You will owe this amount irrespective of the number of classes or make-ups attended prior to or subsequent to that date.
You may pay with cash, check or credit card. Cash or checks are preferred.

What discounts do you have?
Same child coming twice a week receives 10% off the pricing for the 2nd lesson.
3rd child from the same family receives a 10% discount on the least expensive lesson.
3rd, 4th, and 5th summer week of lessons for the same child receives 20% discount
Occasionally, we have discount offers online or emailed to our clients.

How do I enroll my child? Can I enroll online?
You can enroll by mail, fax, phone, or in person. Call 610-625-4848 to enroll by phone.
No, at this time, we do not have the ability to take payments online. Please call our front desk staff for assistance.

When are the swim lessons and where can I find your schedule on the web page?
Lessons are taught at Swim-in Zone on Mon-Thurs from 9am-8pm; Fridays from 9am-6:30pm; Saturdays from 8:30am-1pm and Sundays from 12:30pm-3:30pm.
Swim-In Zone does not produce a designated schedule. Our schedule is dynamic and fluid, with the potential to change daily. We call it “demand scheduling,” where requests for day, time and level are honored on a first come, first served basis. Our schedule is built around client requests as we receive them.
Click here to view a PDF about our Demand Scheduling System.

**There are a few exceptions to our demand scheduling process. Parent/Child classes and Instructional Swim Team Practices all follow a pre-determined schedule that is created for each session. There are schedules available for all of these classes online and at Swim-In Zone. **
Click here to view a PDF for Parent Child Classes
Click here to view a PDF for Swim Team Practices.

We have missed the start of the session. Can we start lessons now?
You may enter a class at any time during a session. Classes are pro-rated, so you only pay for the classes remaining in the session at the time you sign up.

Can all 3 of my children have swim lessons at the same time or must they come on separate days?
It is possible for all of your children to come to lessons at the same time or within the same hour even if they are different skill levels. We try to schedule at least 4 different skill levels at the same time. Signing-up as early as possible will facilitate your children’s ability to take classes at the same time.

What is a session, and why are they so long?
A session is a grouping of consecutive weeks of lessons. Our sessions follow the seasons.
• Our 14-week Fall session runs from the end of August to the beginning of December
• Our 12-week Winter session runs from the beginning of December to the beginning of March, with a week off over the Christmas holidays.
• Our 15-week Spring session goes from the beginning of March to the end of June.
• Our 10- or 11-week Summer session goes from the end of June to the end of August.
Our long sessions give the children a chance to adapt to the class, curriculum and teacher. By the 8th or 9th lesson they seem to make a leap of progress because they know the expectations and have the confidence to try.

What is the withdrawal/cancellation policy?
Withdrawal/cancellation policy
Swim-in Zone Credit Only. NO REFUNDS.
When you sign up for a session you are signing up for the entire group of weeks, however, if you withdraw from class prior to the start date of the session, you may choose a refund or credit applied to your account.

After the session has started there is a $40 withdrawal fee per student and a charge for all scheduled classes up to the date of your call, whether or not they were attended and the remainder credited to your account. You may attend make-up classes for those classes missed before your call to withdraw.

What if my child doesn’t like it? Can my child try out a class?
The first class is overwhelming to some children, and they might respond negatively. If you think the class might be overwhelming to your child, come to an open swim time before signing up. Once the classes start, there is a $40 withdrawal fee.

We do not offer trial classes at this time. To prepare your children for lessons, you can sign them up for a complimentary swim evaluation or bring them to family open swim.

My child will miss some classes. What is the make-up policy?
Make-up Policy
Swim-in Zone has a very generous make-up policy. We want your child to receive all the swim lessons that you have paid for. Swimmers who miss a lesson for any reason are given the choice of a make-up lesson on a prescheduled make-up day, a family swim pass or to pay the difference for a private lesson. It is the parent’s responsibility to make sure that the children attend the classes. There are no refunds or credits for missed classes.

In the summer, which is better: once-a-week lessons or week-long lessons?
The choice depends on the individual student, which is why we have both options. Many children make great progress in the everyday lessons. For others it is too quick and too intense. For some families with 2 working parents, the once-a-week classes are the only option. You should choose whichever option works best for your family’s schedule.

About practice time
“Stay and Play” is a program offered during the school year for a nominal fee on Mondays through Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. for children attending swim lessons. After their lessons, the children may stay and play in the water with their parent.

Family Swim is 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. during the school year and 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. during the summer. Families of children enrolled in the current session of swim lessons may come to practice for $5 until their balance is paid and then family swim practice is free. Pick up a Friday Family Swim Pass the first week of the new session of swim lessons. Friday Night Family Swim is sometimes cancelled if there is a swim meet, if we are doing a major water exchange or if there is another activity such as our New Year’s Eve Party.

Can we come in and swim during open swim at no additional charge if our child is taking swim lessons?
No. If you would like to come in and swim during other open swim hours, you must pay for the visit, even if your child is taking swim lessons. You can pay a drop in fee, purchase a swim membership, or purchase a punch card. If your child is in lessons, the registration fee has been paid.

My child is 2 years old, but we took a “baby class” someplace else. Can he go into a group?
No. Two-year-olds cannot attend a group lesson. They generally lose interest quickly and cannot wait their turn. We suggest one of our parent/child classes or a 15 minute private lesson if an adult cannot attend a parent/child class with them.

In addition, Swim-in Zone’s baby classes are not like other baby classes. We have levels including a more advanced level called “too little, but too good” in which all the children are ages 2 ½-3 ½ and swimming underwater by themselves.

What is your swim diaper policy? Does my potty trained 2-year-old need to wear a swim diaper?
Double Swim Diaper Policy
Poop happens! And unfortunately, sometimes it happens in swimming pools, and it can close the pool. We have had some very unhappy little swimmers, frustrated teachers and parents who have rushed to get here only to have to go back home. Prevention is BETTER for all of us.

Are parents permitted in the water or on the deck during swim lessons?
We prefer that the parents sit in the multipurpose room and watch through the windows. Please sign up for a parent/child class, parent/older child class or private lesson to be in the water with your child.

If your child insists that you sit in the pool area, please take a “water watcher” badge from the hook in the multipurpose room and be empowered to be another pair of eyes watching all the children.

How long will it take for my child to learn how to swim?
There is no magic number of lessons, as each child is different. Swimming is a motor skill that takes practice. Some children take a long time to get underwater and floating and then they progress rapidly, while others cannot coordinate their extremities. Each child will find a level that challenges them and will need to be repeated. Children get stuck in Level 1 until they learn to go underwater and float, and in Level 4 when they need to swim farther distances and become proficient at breaststroke, sidestroke and butterfly. Each level becomes more complex, not only in skill development, but also in cognitive development. Once the challenge level is hit, then the child will need encouragement, patience and positive reinforcement to complete the skills necessary to pass.

What can I do to help my child excel faster?
Practice. Bring your child to Friday Family Swims and recreational swims during the week and summer to help build the strength and confidence needed to accomplish many of the tasks taught in class. Having your child enjoy and share what is learned through practice sessions is the best was to accelerate swimming skills.

I don’t think my child has made any progress. What should I do?
Learning to swim is physical skill acquisition as well as learned comfort in the aquatic environment. Sometimes it takes more than a few lessons before everything comes together.

First, tell the teacher of your concerns, who will then report to our management team for review and suggestions. The suggestions may include changing classes, changing teachers, or taking a few private lessons. Our guarantee says that if your child is recommended to repeat the same color level for the 4th consecutive session, then that 4th session is free. We want to do what is best for you and your child.

Does repeating a level mean that my child will be learning the same things over?
Swimming is a motor skill unique to all others because of the comfort required in the water environment. All levels have similar skills, but it is the quality of the execution of the skill that determines passing. A big part of this quality is comfort in the water. Even Olympic swimmers do torpedoes! So, yes, the children must practice the same skills repeatedly from Level 1 through Level 5. We will try to advance them as far as we can, and if the child needs to repeat a level, remember that they are becoming stronger in these skills by practicing. You can help by taking your child to recreational swims for encouragement and practicing the skills taught in class. Safety skills need to be drilled again and again to be learned to the point that they become second nature should the children become involved in a water incident.

What if I am an afraid adult?
Some of our instructors have taken additional training in teaching afraid adults. We want you to learn how to be in control in the water first before learning the mechanics of swimming. Click here for our PDF on Adults Afraid of the Water.

What if my child has a fear of water?
Please stay positive and very patient. Level 1 is the hardest level. We will not force your child underwater. Work on it in the tub. Our instructors are at their best when teaching afraid students. Sometimes children become more comfortable on their back first. Some children are not really afraid of the water, but are afraid of new situations. Keep the children playing in a pool regularly. Bring them to Family Swim. It is important to remember that every child must learn to swim to be safe. For some children it just takes longer.

What should I know for my child’s first class?
What equipment does my child need? Do all students need goggles?
Your child will need a swim suit, a towel and some flip flops, crocs or shoes for walking around in the party room. Goggles allow clear vision underwater. We recommend good no-leak goggles for those children who are underwater. We sell goggles in all sizes and for all face shapes. To introduce goggles, let the children explore wearing them first at home in the tub and then later at Swim-in Zone.

Is there feedback for parents? What are skill sheets?
A Swim-in Zone level sheet is a communication tool between the swimmer’s parents and the instructor. A list of skills and possible ways to do the skills are listed on the laminated sheet. Instructors fill out the sheets after each lesson and return them to the rolling file usually located by the mermaid area. Sometimes instructors put information such as when they will be away or encouragement for the student on the skill sheet.

When a skill is completed well enough to pass that particular color level, the instructor will fill in the circle beside the skill. When all the circles are filled in, then the instructor will fill in the date completed by the thumbs-up icon. The mid-session level is the instructor’s best guess as to the level the student will be in by the end of the session, so that parents can sign up for the next session.

Parents should review the level sheets weekly. Check to make sure all the information is correct, including the child’s skill level, age and important information. Please give them to the instructor at the OUT door of the pool after the lesson or put them on the little table by the OUT door. If a level sheet is missing, the front desk staff will look for it or make a new one.

We do not fill out the level sheets for the last 2 weeks of a session. Award cards are given out at this time.

What are the bracelets for?
The bracelets identify the students to the teachers. When 10 children walk in the door at the same time, teachers can rapidly gather the 3 or 4 children in their class. Instructor bracelet colors will change weekly. All bracelets are placed in a container and reused. Children in the parent/child classes do not need a bracelet.

What is dolphin dough?
Dolphin dough is a small ticket given as a reward for a good lesson and is redeemable for a treat at the front desk. Students may get 2 dolphin dough coupons on or around their birthday.

What if my child’s abilities are stronger or not as strong as the other children in the class?
One child may be great at one skill and another great at something else. Each Swim-in Zone level is subdivided into Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced so that we can make a good attempt at putting the children into the class that best suits their abilities. If the children do not “match,” we will try to find another class.

What does it mean when the children ring the bell?
It means that they are so proud of what they have done or tried for the first time that they want to let everybody know. It is basically a pat on the back for trying or executing a new skill.

Tell me about your facility and instructors

Our pool
o Lifeguard on duty at all times
o 62,000 gallon capacity
o 25 yards – the same length as Lehigh University Pool and Cedar Crest College Pool
o 70.5 lengths of our pool = one mile
o 3 lanes
o 3 ½ ft deep to 5 ft. deep. No diving is permitted.
o Children <52” tall cannot comfortably stand in our pool.
o 2 Disinfection systems – chlorine and UV light. Chlorine level is automatically kept at PA regulatory levels: 1.5-3 parts per million.

Is there a changing area?
Yes. There are men’s and ladies’ locker rooms with showers and lockers. There is also a group shower area and family changing rooms. Please bring your own lock.

Is there a lifeguard?
Yes, there is a dedicated lifeguard but even a dedicated, motivated and skilled lifeguard cannot be looking everywhere. Parents of children taking swim lessons may sit on the deck wearing a “water watcher” badge that empowers them to be another pair of eyes watching the children. 80% of our teaching staff are certified lifeguards.

Our instructors
• 80% are lifeguards. All are certified in CPR/AED and First Aid.
• 50% are Red Cross certified Water Safety Instructors.
• All are extensively trained in Swim-in Zone’s curriculum. Additional in-service training sessions are held regularly throughout the year.
• All have Child Abuse and Criminal Record clearances.
• All are adults, college students, or occasionally outstanding high school seniors.
• Many have children or grandchildren of their own.