Swim Lessons

SWIM PROGRAM GOALS
The Bennett Center's goal is that swimmers will be proficient in basic swimming and water safety skills. Each swimmer will be given a certificate from Gordon College Aquatics upon completing a session. Once a child has completed the criteria for a certain swim level, he/she will be able to move on to the next level. Sometimes it benefits the child to stay in the same level for a second session before advancing to the next level. 

The swim lesson program is for children of faculty, staff, alumni and students at Gordon College and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (GCTS). While the Bennett Center is not open to the general public, at times the swim programs are open to those in the local community.

Lesson Programs
A modest schedule of swim lessons three times a year is planned:

• Fall Session: September-November

• Spring Session: March-May

• Summer Session: June-August

INSTRUCTORS
The team of instructors is made up of Gordon students who are certified swimming instructors. Our learn-to-swim program has been developed by our professional staff and is modified to maximize the child's experience.

Aquatics Program Director
Skip Milne
Director of Aquatics
p: 978.867.4329
e: skip.milnegordon.edu

GROUP LESSONS

Small-group lessons are held in swim levels 1-6 with a ratio of six students to each instructor. Classes are twice a week--Mondays and Wednesdays, or Tuesdays and Thursdays. During some sessions we are able to offer once-a-week lessons on Saturday mornings. Level 1 begins at age 4.

Fees

2-day/week program: $90 ($125 public)
1-day/week program (Saturday only): $50 ($80 public)

Registration

Swim lessons are first offered to members of the Gordon College and the GCTS communities, and if space allows, registration is opened to the general public. All registrations must be completed in person at the Bennett Center, and payment must be made in full to reserve space in a class. Cash or check is accpted; no credit cards. A waiting list is available; no payment is required to be entered on a waiting list. Register in person; no phone or mail registrations.

PRIVATE LESSONS
We offer private and semiprivate swim lessons on a limited basis if our group lessons are at capacity, or for special circumstances. Due to the restrictions of facility and instructor availability, there is no guarantee that a private lesson request will be fulfilled.

Who is Eligible?

Private lessons and semiprivate lessons are open to the individuals and families of Gordon and GCTS student bodies, faculty, staff and alumni. Whenever possible we offer lessons to the public.

Fees (per lesson)

1 child: $20 ($25 public)
2 children: $17 ($20 public) per child

Registration

The process for requesting private and semiprivate lessons begins with returning a completed registration form to the Bennett control desk. Any specific instructor and/or time request should be written on that form. A member of our aquatics staff will notify you of availability and how to schedule a lesson. Private and semiprivate lessons begin the week after group lessons begin for each session. Private lessons run on an individual basis with the instructor. Lessons span from 30-45 minutes depending on age and endurance of the child. Register in person; no phone or mail registrations.

Payment

Payment for lessons must be made at the control desk prior to each lesson. When the lesson is paid for, the lesson recipient will receive a pink payment voucher that must be given to the swim instructor before the lesson is conducted. Without a swim voucher the swim instructor cannot conduct the lesson.

NATATORIUM RULES

• All swim lessons parents/children should make use of the student locker rooms for changing.

• Everyone must enter/exit through the locker rooms

• Parents are requested to leave the natatorium after drop-off to ensure the instructor has uninterrupted time with the children; parents are welcome to relax and watch from the waiting area in the lobby.

• Swimmers are asked to bring their own towels.

• Under NO circumstances are children allowed to be left unattended in ANY area of the Bennett facility.

• Parents of swimmers should return to the appropriate area to pick up their children immediately at the close of the lesson. Swim instructors are not responsible for participants once the lesson has ended.