Missoula Family YMCA
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Details & Pricing

The YMCA offers year-round group swim lessons that help Montana children learn water adjustment and aquatic safety. Children ages 6+ will also work on stroke competency and rescue skills.

Our swim instructors use the nationally recognized YMCA swim curriculum that focuses on water safety, skill progression, and building confidence in the water. YMCA Swim Lessons follow a progressive lesson format. Click the link below for our swim lesson flow chart.

All lessons take place in the Missoula YMCA's indoor pool.

Swim Lesson Flow Chart

Appropriate Swim Attire

1x Week Swim Lessons

Four 30-minute swim lessons in a small group setting. Swim lessons are held once a week. 

Upcoming Sessions:
  • Offered year-round. Registration opens XX.
Cost: 
  • $44 w/ YMCA membership ($55 for non-YMCA members)
Register

2x Week Swim Lessons

Eight 30-minute swim lessons in a small group. Lessons are held twice a week. 

Upcoming Sessions:
  • Offered year-round. Registration opens XX.
Cost:
  • $74 w/ YMCA membership ($89 for non-YMCA members)
Register

Summer Accelerated Swim Lessons

The Missoula YMCA's Summer Accelerated Swim Lesson program offers eight 30-minute lessons in a small group setting. Lessons are taught Monday–Thursday over the course of two weeks. 

Upcoming Sessions:
  • Offered June, July, and August. Registration opens May 1 for members and May 3 for non-members.
Cost:
  • $74 w/ YMCA membership ($89 for non-YMCA members)
Register

What to Expect

30-Minute Lessons

Each lesson is 30 minutes long and led by a YMCA swim instructor.

Small-Group Sizes

Our group swim lessons maintain small class sizes to ensure each swimmer gets dedicated attention. 

Progressive Lesson Structure

We teach a progressive swim lesson model, allowing swimmers to learn and develop swim skills in stages before moving to the next set of skills.

Group Swim Lesson FAQ

Swimmers should be on the pool deck in their suits five minutes before their class time. 

Bathing suits are required for all swimmers. Scroll up to view a PDF of acceptable swim wear. Swimmers with long hair should tie their hair back from their faces. 

 

The Missoula YMCA follows a progressive swim lesson structure and has four swim lesson levels: 

  • Level 1: Beginner
  • Level 2: Intermediate
  • Level 3: Advanced
  • Level 4: Pre-Swim Team

View our swim lesson progression chart on this page for more details. 

 

The Missoula YMCA uses a progressive swim lessons model, which teaches swimming skills in stages and allows students to build their confidence and skills in the water. During the last week of class, swim instructors provide a report card to each swimmer and recommend if the swimmer should move to the next swim level or stay in the current level. 

Each swim level has specific skills that must be met before swimmers can advance to the next level. It is not unusual for a swimmer to need to repeat a level more than once as repetition is key to learning!

Refunds and/or makeup classes for YMCA swim lessons are only provided should the pool be closed unexpectedly for a mechanical issue.

Yes. However, for the safety and privacy of all participants, you are only permitted to take photos or videos of your swimmer. As a reminder, cameras and cell phones are not permitted in locker or changing rooms.