Campus Recreation

The Department of Recreation has offered American Red Cross Certified Swimming Lessons at the Plourde Recreation Center Pool each fall and each spring for more than 20 years. The Learn-to-Swim program offers a multi-level system, which will encompass a range of swimming instruction. Each level focuses on water safety education, safety skills, movement skills, and swimming skills. Lessons will run for a half-hour Saturday mornings during the fall and spring academic semesters.

Spring 2023 Learn to Swim Sign-Ups:

SOLD OUT: The Learn to Swim program will be accepting new signups in the Fall of 2023.

The Learn-to-Swim program will be offering a spring session of classes coinciding with the beginning of the spring academic semester. The first classes will be offered on Saturday January 28th. Information on signups and dates for the Spring 2023 session was announced via email on December 1st to those on the email list.

In order to join the email list for the Learn to Swim Program, please email the Director of Recreation, Mike Rodier (mrodier@assumption.edu). Mike has been in contact with past registrants and if you have been receiving his emails there is nothing further you need to do. 

Spring 2023 Learn-to-Swim Schedule

Learn to Swim Levels

Designed to let parents and young children learn together to increase a child’s comfort level in the water and build a foundation of basic skills, such as arm and leg movements and breathing control, as well as having fun in the water.

Level A - Children 6 months to 2 years old, who have little or no previous water experiences

• Replaces Infant & Pre-School Aquatic Program
• Parent or caregiver must accompany child in the water
• Children ready to learn without a parent/caregiver should enroll in an appropriate Learn-to-Swim class

Level B - Children 18 months up to 5 years of age with:

•   two or more previous sessions in the water
•   submerged only reluctantly (or not at all)
•   require flotation support at all times
•   may benefit from parental presence in the water

Red Cross Learn-to-Swim features differing levels of instruction to help swimmers of all ages develop their skills.

• Preschool II, III: Water Skills Orientation
• Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills
• Level 3: Stroke Development
• Level 4: Stroke Improvement
• Level 5: Stroke Refinement
• Level 6: Swimming and Skill Proficiency

For information please email Mike Rodier. 

How much does it cost to sign my child up for the Learn to Swim Program at Assumption University?
The fee for signing up a child is $90 regardless of age. Payment is due at the time of signup up in cash or check made payable to Assumption University.

Is a discount offered for multiple children?
A discount is not offered.

What ages are allowed to sign up?
Any child who is 6 months of age or older by the first day of class for the new semester session may sign up. Classes are offered until the child reaches the age in which they can enroll in WSI or Lifeguarding classes.

When are signups typically held?
Signups for the fall session are typically held on the third Thursday of August from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the Plourde Recreation Center.
Signups for the Spring Sessions are typically held on the Thursday of Martin Luther King, Jr. week from 4:40 to 6 p.m. in the Plourde Recreation Center.

Must I attend signups in person or can I register online?
We require all signups to be done in person on the date of registration.  This is done to ensure your child is signed up in the correct class based on their ability.  Swimming is a life skill and the safety and comfort of all children is a concern and having a child in a level that they are not ready for could put that in an unsafe position and also cause them to not want to participate and learn the skills we are teaching.

When do the sessions run?
Sessions run during the fall and spring Assumption Academic Semesters.  Weeks may be skipped for holidays and major school events.  The schedule may or may not take into account primary school calendars and the school vacation weeks.

What times are classes?
Parent and Child Aquatics are offered from 9:30 to 10 a.m.  Every other level is offered based on need starting each half-hour from 10 a.m. to noon.  Generally, all skill levels are offered each half an hour in an effort to make the session signups as convenient as possible for our families!

Are there any weekday classes?
Assumption University does not offer weekday Learn to Swim Classes.

Does Assumption University offer individualized classes?
Assumption does not offer the Red Cross certified classes on an individual basis.

Do you have to be a member of the Assumption Community to sign up?
No, we welcome all members of Worcester County.

How do I know what level my child should be placed in?
During signups, we ask the guardian signing up the child many questions about the child’s familiarity with water and the pool.  Using these answers and our extensive history running the program we make sure the child is placed in the correct level for his or her own age ability level and safety.  During the first week if we realize a child is in the wrong group then we can make adjustments.

Who teaches my children?
Our Director of Aquatics runs the Learn to Swim Program and she has almost 20 years in this role.  The individual instructors are Assumption University students who have completed the Red Cross Water Safety Instructor training and hold a valid certification.

What are my responsibilities if my child is enrolled in the Parent & Child Aquatics?
For Parent and Child Aquatics, a parent, family member or guardian over the age of 18 is required to be in the pool with the child at all times.  This class is about water safety and getting used to the water. Your presence in the water makes the child feel more secure in this new environment.

What are my responsibilities if my child is enrolled in any of the other sessions?
In all sessions other than Parent and Child Aquatics, there are instructors in the water who will work with your child.  We ask that you either remain on the pool deck or stand in the lobby watching the pool at all times.  Swimming lessons are not an activity that a child can be dropped off at and picked up from.  Our instructors are certified and properly trained, but in case of an emergency, the parent must be present as well.

Are there facilities to change in prior to and after class?
Yes, the locker room facilities are available for patrons to utilize both before and after lessons.  We will have signage posted alerting you to which facilities are available on each Saturday.  We ask that all changing be done in these locker rooms and not in the main lobby. 

What equipment does my child need?
Children in the Parent and Child Aquatics class are required to have a swim diaper on at all times.
All children are asked to wear a bathing suit or other proper athletic attire for the pool.  Sweatpants, sweatshirts, jeans and other similar items are not permitted.
Swim caps, ear plugs, nose plugs or other similar swim accessories are allowed but are left up to the discretion of the parents and the child in the class.

How will weather cancelations be communicated?
Weather cancelations are communicated through the email address provided upon signup.  Notifications will be made by 8 a.m. on the Saturday morning of your class.

Where do I park for this event?
Parking for most Saturdays will be in the Plourde Center parking lot.  Any changes in the parking situation will be emailed out to all participants ahead of that particular day.