"Learn To Swim Program"

Swim School Lessons/Stroke Clinic

NBSS and Michael Phelps are teaming up to bring you the absolute best in swimming instruction for all ages and abilities.

The NEW Michael Phelps Swim School will continue to develop the whole person physically and mentally. And just like NBSS, it will remain our top priority to ensure that each of our participants has an opportunity to become comfortable and safe in the water while developing excellent swimming technique.

So what does the change mean to you? While you’ll continue to receive the same great program @ Meadowbrook…

• Same quality instruction
• Same small class sizes
• Same professional instructors
• Same great management

…you’ll also receive an all new experience, better service, fun program enhancements, and much more to come! Thank you for being a part of something so special and exciting!

Lessons are arranged according to ability and age. The first level of aquatic instruction is the Get Wet level. This is a parent and child class for children 3 years of age and younger (exceptions are made for older children). This level focuses on water comfort, games, and relaxing in a warm water environment. Parents are instructed and encouraged to challenge each child's skills and level of comfort in the water. Continually under the guidance of an experienced instructor, the emphasis in this class is on fun in the water! 

The next level is Pre-Beginner. This is our first class without parental involvement. Children must have reached the age of three to enroll in this level. The emphasis is on basic water skills such as floating, aided and unaided, "blowing bubbles" and retrieving items from the bottom of a shallow (3 foot) area. Listening to instructions and working within a group are also stressed along with very important water safety lessons. This level has games and activities which serve to give the child a comfortable feel for the water. Children will become comfortable going under the water. Pre-Beginner has two age divisions. Pre-Beginner I is for 3-5 year olds. Pre-Beginner II is for 5-8 year olds. The skills covered in the two divisions are identical in intention if not form. 

By far the largest level of lessons is Beginner. These children are very comfortable in the water, able to completely submerge and can float on the front and the back. Children remain in the Beginner level until they are swimming freestyle and demonstrating rotary breathing. It is not unusual for children to remain in this level for multiple sessions as the skills to be mastered are quite broad and varied. As with Pre-Beginner or any of our levels, there are two age divisions in Beginner. Beginner I is for children ages 4-6 and Beginner II is for children ages 6-10 years. 

Advanced Beginner is the next level in which freestyle (crawl) stroke skills are honed and other competitive strokes are introduced and taught. Children should be able to demonstrate rotary breathing and have mastered the air exchange process. Similar to the other levels, there are two age levels of this class. Advanced Beginner I is for swimmers ages 4-6. Advanced Beginner II is for swimmers 7 years and older. 

Intermediate is the highest level of group lessons as structured above. Intermediate swimmers can swim a distance unaided while demonstrating good rotary breathing with freestyle and a competent backstroke. These children will work to improve their skills so they can swim several laps of each stroke. 

Stroke Clinic is a more intensive level of swim instruction that is offered by both the North Baltimore Swim School and the North Baltimore Aquatic Club. Stroke Clinic is open to swimmers who have a competent freestyle and can swim backstroke unassisted. This is an hour-long class for children 6 years and older. Typically, stroke clinic swimmers are involved in summer league teams and desire to improve their strokes and maintain contact with the sport of swimming during the off season. Participation in summer swimming is not a prerequisite however. Stroke clinics offer instruction by the NBAC coaching staff, senior level NBAC swimmers, and NBSS swim teachers. Stroke technique, development and refinement is highlighted. Stroke Clinics are offered on Saturdays and Sundays. Students can enroll for an 10-week session in the Fall, a 6-week session in the Winter, or a 10 week session in the Spring. COST -- Fall: $175

Swim School Schedule Winter 2008-2009

Stroke Clinic Schedule

Swim School Policies

• Classes are thirty minutes in length unless otherwise noted. Stroke Clinics is sixty minutes in length.
  
  
• Classes for Group Lessons are limited to 6 students per class with the exception of Get Wet and Stroke Clinic.
  
  
• To ensure safe, quality lesson time, parents are asked to remain off the pool deck.
  
  
• At the Meadowbrook Aquatic & Fitness Center, family members may use the facility if they are members at the facility.
  
  
• We reserve the right to cancel any class with insufficient enrollment.
  
  
• Classes are filled on a first come-first served basis. With the exception of Session I, those currently enrolled are given a preferred registration time before registration is open to all.
  
  
• Children do best when they consistently attend the same class. Private and Semi Private classes missed may be made up at the discretion of the Swim School Director. Please arrange make-up classes in advance with your child's instructor. No more than one make-up per session. No makeups for group lessons.
  
  
• Payment must be received in order to reserve a place in a class.
  
  
• For our scheduling purposes, we ask for two class choices. We will call if we cannot accommodate your first choice. We will not call to confirm placement in a first choice. 
  
  
• A $15 cancellation fee will be charged for students dropping out one week prior to the start of each session.
  
  
• A $25 fee will be charged for returned checks.
  

General Questions and Information

• For our scheduling purposes we ask for two class choices. We will call you if we cannot accommodate your first choice. We will not call if we can accommodate your first choice.
  
  
• Parents will observe the lessons from the lobby area. Any questions and comments may be directed to Cathy Lears at Meadowbrook. She can be reached at 410 433-8300.
  
  
• Please keep in mind that proper attire aids your child's enjoyment of the class. It is very helpful if girls with long hair tie their hair back or wear a cap. Goggles are optional.
  
  
• Any food or drink should be consumed in the lobby area. No food is allowed in the locker rooms.
  
  
• At Meadowbrook, parents are asked to be sensitive to the privacy of others, especially with an opposite sex child in the locker room. Management encourages parents with opposite sex children to utilize the front area of the locker rooms and parents should refrain from showering with opposite sex children in the presence of others. Children over the age of five do not belong inside the opposite sex locker room. 
  
  
• Please keep in mind that children grow and mature at different rates. Growth spurts can make children uncoordinated from one class to another. Patience is important! Remember, they will adjust and coordinate their skills with practice and encouragement.
  
  
• Learning depends on your child. Children learn and grow at different rates. We give plenty of pool time and free time for your child to improve their skills.
  
  
• We ask that parents stay off the pool deck because your presence distracts the children. They often become more interested in watching you than listening to the instructor. 
  
  
• Each session we teach a little bit about safety because safety skills are of utmost importance around the water. We want each child to be safe during lessons and to learn what it means to be safe when they are around any type of water.
  
  
• We are interested in giving each child a maximum comfort level in the pool. Children often stay at the same class level in successive sessions because within each group we have a very wide range of skills to cover. This allows the child to excel at one skill and to be able to work on another skill they may not have mastered. We are concerned about their feel for the water and their comfort level with each new skill.
  
  
• If your child is unhappy and does not want to come to class, please let us know. We want to work with you and your child. Most times we can make a child feel comfortable about the lessons if we show them patience and understanding. We have also found that if we show the children our confidence that they will usually rise to the occasion. We are not afraid of tears or fears. It is all part of learning something new.
  
  
• You can help your child by encouraging them and showing your confidence in the program and the instructors. Try to take some time to enjoy the water with your child.
  

• Group Swim Lessons at Meadowbrook For members only
  June 9 - July 23 2009
  Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - 10:30 - Noon
  $36 per week per child
  Sign up each Tuesday morning 9 - 10:30am
  Everyone Welcome (3 years and older)
  
  
• Private & Semi Private Lessons at Meadowbrook
  Members and Non Members welcome
  Private - $35 per half hour
  Semi Private - $25 per half hour
  Flexible scheduling
  Registration available after May 21st
  
  Due to insurance requirements and to maintain the quality of our Swim School, members will not be allowed to contract for swimming lessons with anyone other than those teachers trained and approved by the North Baltimore Swim School and its director.

Aquatic Classes
Learn to appreciate how the water can condition, tone, and strengthen your body and provide holistic health. Benefits of exercising in the water include: pushing and pulling against the resistance of water in all directions, providing overall body conditioning, strengthening heart and lungs, and improving circulation.

• Water Aerobics
  Mon, Wed, Fri: 9:30 - 10:30 am
  Cost: Drop-in or Exercise card
  
• Water Running
  Tuesday. Thursday: 9:30 am - 10:30 am
  Cost: Drop-in or Exercise card

Introductory Masters Swimming (winter season only)
Swim with Miss Annie! adult interval fitness swimming with stroke technique and development. Workouts available to suit individual needs. Great for beginners new to the Masters program, triathlon training, and overall lap swimming fitness.

Mon / Wed / Fri : 9:00am - 10:00am
Cost: Drop-in or Exercise card

NBAC Masters Swimming
Master swimming is competitive swimming for anyone 19-99 years of age. No previous competitive swimming experience is necessary. Master's swimming is for everyone from the beginner to the very advanced. Coaches are present on deck, offering workouts and stroke pointers to make your swimming more successful. Competition in meets is not required. Meets opportunities are available to those who register with United States Masters Swimming (USMS).

Tues, Thurs: 6:00 - 7:00 am
Saturday: 6:30 - 7:30 am
Cost: Drop-in or Exercise card

• Indoor Cycling
  Mon: 6:00 - 6:45 am
  Tues: 7:00 - 7:45 am
  Thurs: 6:00 - 7:00 am -
  Cost: Drop-in ($6 Members, $15 Non-Members) or Exercise card (Members $80 for 20 classes/Non Members $100 for 10 classes)
  Sat: 8:00 - 9:00 am
  
• Yoga
  Mon: 7:15 - 8:45 pm
  
  

Pilates
The Pilates Method of body conditioning is a series of exercises developed to create a healthy body, mind, and lifestyle. It is a unique system of exercises that strengthens and tones muscles, improves circulation, flexibility, posture and will unite the body and mind.

Pilates has a strong focus on the deep core muscles of the body: The abdominals, back, pelvic floor and hip muscles. These muscles are called the “powerhouse”. Having a strong “powerhouse” will allow one to perform daily activities as well as sporting events without injury, stress or fatigue.

The method can be used as a supplement to workouts as it trains major muscles of the body. It is also a great way to regain strength after an injury and to move into a preventative maintenance routine. Anyone who wants to improve posture, balance, flexibility and overall well being can benefit from Pilates.

• 7 week Session - Tues: 8:00 - 8:50 am
  
  Instructer - Wendy Quitsol, PT
  This series is designed to assist each participant in learning basic exercises of the Pilated mat program. Each week will build on the previous week.
  Cost: Members - $85 for 7 classes / Non Members - $125 for 7 classes

Babysitting

AVAILABLE IN THE WINTER SESSION ONLY

Mon-Frit: 9:15 - 11:15 am
Sat: 9:00 - 11:00 am
Thur: 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Cost: Babysitting Card ($40 for 10 sessions)

Lifeguard Training (Lifeguarding, First Aid, CPR )

for this Fall/Winter

Enroll in this course for Red Cross certified Lifeguard Training.  This course covers all the major components of Lifeguarding.  Included is Lifeguard certification, as well as First Aid (both good for three years) and CPR for the Professional Rescuer (good for one year).  Each class session includes pool and classroom work.  Participants must be at least 15 years old.  The following sessions are currently being offered:
Full Class Schedule and Form

Summer Swim Team

From 12 swimmers in 1987 under the careful direction of Patty Stephens, the Meadowbrook Tomatoes have grown to over 120 swimmers and the top of the Central Maryland Swim League.

The Tomatoes is a fun activity for children ages 5-18. Competitive experience is not necessary. Children interested must pass the deep water test to be able to be a Tomato. Practices are in the afternoons Monday through Friday. Meets occur on Saturday mornings.