Swim, Sports & Play

The Y is the starting point for many youth to learn about becoming and staying active, and developing healthy habits they’ll carry with them throughout their lives. And the benefits are far greater than just physical health. Whether it’s gaining the confidence that comes from learning to swim or building the positive relationships that lead to good sportsmanship and teamwork, participating in sports at the Y is about building the whole child, from the inside out.

Swim, Sports & Play

Youth Swim Lessons

Date: Winter I January 2 - February 18
Days:     Monday – Thursday, Saturday
Times:  Times vary and multiple classes are offered.
           Please check with the branch for a complete list of times.
Ages:     6 months – 14 years
Fees:     Free with Family Membership; Youth Members: $55; Non-members: $125 
Pre-Registration Required.  Registration for Fall II classes opens Monday, October 17.
Registration Category: Swim Lessons-Youth
Register on-line Now!

At the Cumberland County YMCA our goal is to reach out to all members of our community to provide lessons to as many people as possible.  With large and small pool options, we provide a safe, comfortable place for children to experience the water, from the first time out of the tub through eight progressive levels. Our well trained instructors teach personal safety tips, swim strokes, and enrich lessons with character-building activities and values.  We offer lessons in both the large and small pools at the Casco Bay and Greater Portland branches, and the warm water instruction pool at the Pineland Branch specializes in beginner to intermediate swims (through the Guppy level). Please review level requirements prior to registering.  Swim lessons are subject to change based on enrollment levels. Please review the swim lessons handbook prior to registering.

Preschool and Youth Swim Level Requirements:

Infants - 5 Year Olds

Shrimp/Kipper:  (Formerly Parent/Tot) Ages 6 months to 2 years with Parent. This class is an introductory class for those children just starting out, with parents in the pool with them. It introduces children to the water through songs and games.

Inia/Perch: (Formerly Super Tot) Ages 2 yrs to 5 yrs with Parent. This class is an introductory class for those children who are just starting out and need a parent in the water with them. This class helps get children comfortable and more independent in the water. Buoyancy belts are used along with skills and songs.

Pike: Ages 3 ½ to 5. This is a non-swimmer or a child who does not like to get their face wet. Buoyancy belts are used.

Eel: Ages 3 ½ to 5. This child must be able to get their face wet and paddle halfway across the pool. We are working off flotation devices and the child should show confidence with out the belt for a short period of time.

Ages 4 - 6

Rays: Ages 4 to 6, For children who are swimming without buoyancy belts. They can put their whole face under and are ready to learn more skills; like diving, front crawl arms, back crawl, Tickle-T-Slap, etc.

Starfish: Ages 4 to 6. For children who can swim 25yds on their front and back.  They will start learning the breathing with the front crawl, the whip kick for the Elementary backstroke along with Tickle-T-Slap. In addition, they will also be able to tread water, do the survival float, etc.

Ages 7 and Up

Polliwogs: Ages 7 and up. For the older child who has never had lessons, may be hesitant to get their face wet, or who is still doggy paddling. Focus on water adjustment, beginner’s strokes, floating, etc.

Guppy: Ages 7 and up. This child has gone through Pike-Starfish and/or Polliwogs. They are ready to go into the deeper water and work on the front crawl, backstroke, elementary backstroke, breast stroke, and endurance at a much higher level. Basic sidestroke will be introduced.

Minnow: Ages 7 and up. This child is ready to start doing laps and really working on perfecting their strokes with the front crawl, backstroke, elementary backstroke, breast stroke, and sidestroke. All of these will go for a longer distance than the previous class. They will also learn safety skills like, jumping in the water with a life jacket on, the H.E.L.P. position and the Huddle position.

Fish: Ages 8 and up. This child will start learning Sculling, feet first surface dives, and open turns on front and back. They will be able to tread water and float more. Demonstrate how to treat leg cramps and learn basic first aid for cuts. The butterfly stroke will be introduced.

Flying Fish: Ages 8 and up. This child is starting to work on numerous yards for all the strokes; front crawl, backstroke, elementaryd backstroke, breast stroke, and sidestroke. Flip turns, open speed turns with glides, pullouts for breaststroke turns, along with the approach stroke and more on the butterfly. Students will learn Pike and Tuck surface dives along with safety issues like the throwing rescue.

Sharks: Ages 8 and up. This class is for those students who have successfully passed Flying Fish and are ready to increase their skill level by learning about swimming in open water, learn how to take your pulse and swim within that range. Work on crawl strokes with flip turns, breaststrokes w/pull out, trudgen crawl, swim an IM 200 yards, and learn how to use pace clocks. You will also learn more about lifeguarding skills and about ice safety and ice rescue.

Pine Tree Swim Club

Registration Category: Competitive Swimming & Sports
Date: Sept 12, 2011 - March 2012
Ages: 6 – 18 years
Fee: 8 & under: $311.00;
9 and above: $437.00
Schedule: M – Th 5:30 - 8:45 pm
Sa 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Membership Required
Pre-Registration Required

Teamwork, character development, and hard work ethic are just a few of the values we strive for while working on swimming skill improvement and enjoy our competitive swim meets. Build friendships with other swim team members and compete with other YMCA's.

High School Swim Team Pre-Season Workout

Registration Category: Competitive Swimming & Sports
Date: Sept 6 - Dec 1st
Ages: High School Students
Fee: Members: $270; Non-Members: $310
Schedule: M Tu W Th 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Pre-Registration Required

Prepare for the upcoming high school swim season with this 14 week Program.

Munchkin' Triple Play

Registration Category: Youth Exercise
Date: Fall I: September 6 – October 24
Fall II: October 30 – December 17
Ages: 3-5 years
Fee: Family Memberships: $17; Youth Members: $49 Non-Members: $99
Schedule: W 9:15 - 10:00 am
Pre-Registration Required
This class is broken down so every 2 weeks a new sport is taught and explored. Children will learn 3 different sports during the session and during the last class parent participation is encouraged.

Kid Gym

Registration Category: Youth Exercise
Date: Fall I: September 6 – October 24
Fall II: October 30 – December 17
Ages: 3-5 years
Fee: Family Memberships: $17; Youth Members: $49 Non-Members: $99
Schedule: F 9:30 - 10:20 AM
Pre-Registration Required

This class is 45 minutes of unstructured time for physical activity for young children.  Children will play a variety of games with new ideas each week.

Kids Tumbling

Registration Category: Youth Exercise
Date: Fall I: September 6 – October 24
Fall II: October 30 – December 17
Fee: Family Memberships: $17; Youth Members: $49; Non-Members: $99
Instructor: Tess Ulrey
Ages: 2-4 years
Schedule: Th 9:00 – 9:45 am (age 2)
10:00 – 10:45 am (ages 3-4)
Pre-Registration Required
This class is designed to teach coordination, physical awareness and creative motor skills. Basic gymnastic movements and inventive problem solving exercises await your lil' gymnasts! Kid's Tumbling is an energetic and fun class for your little one.

Introduction to Dance

Registration Category: Youth Exercise
Date: Fall I: September 6 – October 24
Fall II: October 30 – December 17
Fee: Family Memberships: $17; Youth Members: $49; Non-Members: $99
Ages: 3-9 years
Instructor: Tess Ulrey
Schedule: Th: 2:30 – 3:15 pm (age 3)
Th: 3:30 – 4:15 pm (ages 4-5)
Th: 4:30 – 5:15 pm (ages 6-7)
Pre-Registration Required

Introducing ballet, tap, and jazz dance to our little ones.  We'll be teaching dance vocabulary, coordination skills, collective movement and more!  Learn the fundamentals of this trio of dance genres from our qualified and experienced dance instructor. Dance helps improve coordination, encourages creativity, and helps children learn how to work in a group. Class for 6 to 9 year olds will build upon the basics of dance that have already been taught, but beginners are welcome also!

Blue Wave Basketball ‘Skills & Drills’ Program

Registration Category: Register for this program at www.bluewavebasketball.org
Date: Fall I: September 6 – October 24
Fall II: October 30 – December 17
Ages: 3rd - 8th Grade
Fee: Members: $90; Non-Members: $180
Schedule: M W 5:30 - 7:00 PM
Pre-Registration Required

The Skills & Drills basketball program teaches and reinforces the basic fundamentals of the game.  Each session will focus on ball handling, proper shooting form, offensive and defensive footwork, and learning the concepts of team play. Sessions are supervised by an experienced staff to ensure skills are properly taught.

High School Squash

Registration Category: Court Sports
Date:  Fall II: October 30 – December 17
Ages: High School Students
Fee: Family Members: $17; Members: $49; Non-Members: $99
Schedule: Tu Th 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Instructor: Holly Parker

This class meets twice a week.  Open court time provided on weekends. Program goals include: introducing athletes to a new, life long sport that can become part of a healthy lifestyle; building individual skills through group and one on one instruction; creating opportunities for individual and team competition.

Middle School Squash Workshop

No registration needed, join us anytime!
Registration Category: Court Sports
Date: Ongoing, Starting September 18
Ages: 6th - 8th Grade
Fee: $16
Schedule: Su 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Instructor: Holly Parker
Membership Required

These two hour workshops will introduce younger players to the sport of squash and identify athletes who have a passion and/or talent for the game and may want to pursue the sport through the High School program.