The Department of Conservation and Recreation has multiple pools in Central Mass that also offer free swimming lessons. These pools are a great place to cool off during the summer. They all offer free parking, and the hours of operation for free swimming are 11:15am to 6:45pm. Most of the pools also offer free swim lessons in the morning. The instructors are certified through the Red Cross Water Safety Instructor program. This is the same program that the majority of gyms and YMCAs require of their teachers. When I was in college, I worked at the Clinton State Pool as a guard and teacher. It was a great summer job, and while my daughter is too little to enroll in classes this summer, I know when the time comes I’ll definitely sign her up!
Types of swim lessons
Preschool Lessons (ages 4-5)
Preschool lessons are designed for children who are not comfortable swimming independently in the water, but who are comfortable enough to get into the water with an instructor. Parents must remain outside of the pool area during swimming lessons. Their goal is to introduce water skills like entering and exiting the water safely, blowing bubbles, back float, front, and back glides (up to 2 body lengths), rolling over (back to front and front to back), recovery to a standing/vertical position, and combined leg and arm action on the front. Please note: Preschool-aged children must be at least 4 years old by the first class.
Learn to swim lessons (ages 6-12)
The American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program is designed to not only teach children water competency skills but to also begin developing lifelong water safety skills. Level 2 is fundamental aquatic skills and it is an appropriate starting point for children ages 6-8. Children aged 9-12 might be best suited to Level 3 stroke development.
Session two runs from July 15th through July 26th
Registration for session two opens July 1st at 7am
Session three runs from July 29th through August 9th
Registration for session three opens July 15th at 7am
You can enroll for swim lessons here if there is a pool near you. Onsite registration is not allowed
South Central Mass
Senator P. Eugene Casey State Pool, Milford (offers swimming lessons)
North Central Mass
Fitchburg Pool, Fitchburg (offers swim lessons)
Leominster State Swimming Pool, Leominster (offers swim lessons through the City of Leominster)
Central Mass
Philip J Weihn Memorial Pool, Clinton (offers swim lessons)
Veterans Memorial (Bennett Field) Swimming Pool, Worcester
Vernon Hill /Shine Memorial Pool, Worcester (offers swim lessons)
