Recreation and Parks provides you and your family a safe and fun environment to learn to swim. Our swimming program is for ages 6-months to adults of all abilities. We follow the American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim guidelines. If you have questions, contact Cassidy at Cassidy.Wester@brooklynpark.org
Register
View available lessons and register >
Registration for Summer (June-August) swim programs/classes will open on Thursday, May 28th at 10:00 a.m. Summer sessions will include: Early morning swim teams, M-TH morning swim lessons, afternoon open swim hours, and Monday & Wednesday, Tuesday, and Thursday evening lessons.
Lessons offered
Brooklyn Park Aquatics follows the American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Lesson Program. Lessons offered include:
- Mini & Me (PTOT – Adult & Child Swimming – 6 months to age 3)
- Preschool lessons (ages 3 to 5 years old without adult in the water)
- School age lessons (ages 6 and over)
- Adult lessons
- Women & Girls Only Swim Class
- Aquafinners (Adaptive aquatics for ages 5 – 14)
- Aqua, Fun, Fit (Adaptive aquatics for ages 15+)
- High school warm-up *Summer months only
- Intro Swim Team *Summer months only
- Water safety aid training *Summer months only
- Open swim hours *Summer months only
Cancellations and changes
All cancellations and changes must be done 3 days before the start of the session. No refunds are given after that point. No refunds or make up classes are given for classes you miss.
Locations
Our swimming lessons are held at two different locations. Be sure to check individual session listings for the exact location.
Brooklyn Middle School Pool
7377 Noble Ave. N.
Brooklyn Park, MN
View map of Brooklyn Junior High School
Jackson Community Pool
6000 109th Ave. N.
Champlin, MN 55316
View map of Jackson Middle School
Selecting a level
When selecting a level for your child, please refer to the descriptions of the skill levels and choose the one that most closely fits your child’s ability. Seasonal ‘Swim Assessment Day’s’ are available prior to registration openings. For more information, see the program offerings page.
Repeating levels
Children must pass each level to move forward in the program. It is common for some children to repeat a level several times before advancing onto the next level. It is our philosophy that if a child is between levels, that they be registered for the lower level to give them additional time for skill development. We prefer to ensure success at a lower level than have a child struggle in an advanced level they are not ready for. If you have questions on what level to sign up for or need help determining the proper level, please call the Recreation office: 763.493.8333.
Phone and email
Email Brooklyn Park Swim
Call our Recreation desk with questions: 763-493-8333
Preschool classes
Mini & Me (PTOT – Adult and child)
| Ages | Class duration | Class ratio |
| 6 month to 3 years, with adult in the water | 30 minutes | adult to child |
Games, songs and structured activities help young children adjust to the water. This is a pre-swimming class where the adult is in the water too; adults learn to interact in the water with their child. It is a great class to spend quality one-on-one time with your child.
WaterTot 1 (WTOT)
| Ages | Class duration | Class ratio |
| 3 to 5 | 30 minutes | 6:1, plus aide |
For children with little or no water experience. Introduces floating, basic swim skills, kicking and hand paddling through games and songs. Children will go to Level 1 when 6 years old. To pass, your child must enjoy submerging and be able to jump in on their own.
WaterTot 2 (WTOT2)
| Ages | Class duration | Class ratio |
| 3 to 5 | 30 minutes | 6:1, plus aide |
For children who submerge completely and enjoy it. We will work on floating independently, jumping, submerging and swimming short distances. Children will you go to Level 1 when 6 years old. To pass, your child must float on own without support. If your child passes and turns 6, he or she will go to Level 2.
WaterTot 3 (WTOT3)
| Ages | Class duration | Class ratio |
| 3 to 5 | 30 minutes | 6:1, plus aide |
For children who can front and back float unsupported for 5 to 8 seconds. Introduction of rhythmic breathing and paddle stroke. We will work on independent swimming on front and back. When children turn 6 years old and are floating independently, they will go to Level 2.
School age levels
Level 1
| Ages | Class duration | Class ratio |
| 6 and over | 35 minutes | 6:1 |
Beginner level.
Purpose
Help students feel comfortable in the water.
Required to pass
Children must independently float on their front and back for 5 to 8 seconds.
Level 2
| Ages | Class duration | Class ratio |
| 6 and over | 35 minutes | 6:1 |
Purpose
Gives students success with fundamental skills. Class will work on floats, glides, treading water, swimming on front and back.
Required to pass
Children must swim 5 yards on their front and back using a combined arm and leg motion.
Level 3
| Ages | Class duration | Class ratio |
| 6 and over | 40 minutes | 7:1 |
Purpose
Builds on the skills in Level 2 through additional guided practice. Class will work on rotary breathing, scissors kick, kneeling/standing dives, front and back crawl, elementary backstroke and dolphin kick.
Required to pass
Children must swim front crawl, elementary backstroke and scissors kick for 15 yards each.
Level 4A
| Ages | Class duration | Class ratio |
| 6 and over | 40 minutes | 7:1 |
Purpose
Develops confidence in the skills learned and allow focus on endurance and fundamental Level 4 skills
Required to pass
Children must swim front crawl for 25 yards, and back crawl and sidestroke for 15 yards each.
Level 4B
| Ages | Class duration | Class ratio |
| 6 and over | 40 minutes | 7:1 |
Purpose
Continue working on endurance and with new confidence, swimmer is now ready to learn breaststroke and butterfly.
Required to pass
All skills from 4A and swim breaststroke and butterfly for 15 yards each.
Level 5
| Ages | Class duration | Class ratio |
| 6 and over | 40 minutes | 7:1 |
Purpose
Provides further coordination and refinement of strokes. Class will work on front and back crawl, butterfly, breaststroke, sidestroke, flip turns, open turns and diving.
Required to pass
Children must swim front crawl and elementary backstroke for 50 yards each, and back crawl, breaststroke, butterfly and sidestroke for 25 yards each.
Level 6
| Ages | Class duration | Class ratio |
| 6 and over | 40 minutes | 7:1 |
Purpose
Refines the strokes so students swim with efficiency, ease, power, and smoothness over greater distances.
Required to pass
Children must swim 500 yards continuously using the strokes in the following order: front crawl (100 yards), back crawl (50 yards), breaststroke (50 yards), elementary backstroke (100 yards), sidestroke (50 yards), butterfly (50 yards), and choice of stroke (100 yards). They also must perform a feet-first surface dive and retrieve an object from a depth of 7 feet, and tread water for 5 minutes.
Aqua-Teen
| Ages | Class duration | Class ratio |
| 11 to 15 | 35 minutes | 7:1 |
Purpose
Help teens who can’t swim feel more comfortable in the water. Class will focus on getting teens ready to join level 4 including practicing floating, front crawl, back crawl, elementary backstroke and more.
Private & Paired Swim Lessons
Taking private (1:1) or paired (2:1) lessons are a great way for your swimmer(s) to get the one-on-one help they may need to work through a difficult skill or pass a challenging level. Private/Paired lessons can only be held during group lessons times. They are not available on a day-by-day basis – participants must commit to the entire session.
Registration
Unless specifically listed, private/paired lessons run concurrently with group lessons and are arranged through enrollment to our Private/Paired swim lesson interest list. Spots in private/paired swim lessons are allotted only when there is sufficient pool space and with instructor availability. Private/Paired lesson spots are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis on the interest list.
Inclusion into swimming lessons
If your child has a disability, behavior concern, or is currently being assessed, it is very important to let us know at the time of registration. The pool can present unique challenges and opportunities that may not be present in other settings.
Support
Examples of inclusion support can include: adjusting staff-to-child ratios, providing 1:1 supports, use of picture schedules, and modification of strokes.
Registering
Please be sure to register for the level that most closely fits your child’s ability and comfort in the water. Please register early to allow enough time to set up inclusion support. We appreciate registration 2 weeks before the start of the session.
If you have additional questions about inclusion, contact Adaptive Recreation Specialist, Erin Bonikowske at Erin.Bonikowske@brooklynpark.org
Adult lessons
| Ages | Class duration | Class ratio |
| 18 and up | 30 minutes | group: 7:1 |
This class is for adults who want to learn to swim or need help with specific basic skills. Class will be broken into groups of similar ability.
Intro Swim Team
For ages 7 to 12 years.
Introductory program to competitive swimming for the swimmer who has passed Level 4B and wants to do more swimming in a fun atmosphere. These are not typical swim lessons. This program focuses on mechanics, endurance, how to read a time clock, basic swimming sets and the four competitive strokes: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. Swimmers must be able to comfortably swim 25 yards freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke. The program meets Monday through Thursday morning for 6 weeks. You choose how often you come.
High School Warm-up
For kids entering grades 8 to 12 in the fall.
Are you a high school swimmer looking to get in shape? Join us this summer to get ready for the upcoming season. The program meets Monday through Thursday morning for 6 weeks. You choose how often you come.
Welcome Letter
Welcome to the City of Brooklyn Park Aquatics Program! Please read this form as it will provide you with important information regarding our lessons. If you have any questions concerning lessons, please contact Cassidy at Cassidy.Wester@Brooklynpark.org We appreciate your cooperation, and we hope you and your swimmer have a safe and fun experience with us!
Please help us keep a fun, safe pool area by following these simple rules:
- NO glass or ceramic containers in the pool area or locker rooms.
- Please use the appropriate locker room for school age kids. (Levels 1 & up)
- Parents/observers must remain in the bleacher area during swim lessons.
Parents and/or Guardians are required to stay on the premises during your swimmers’ lesson.
What happens if we miss a class or class is cancelled?
Swim Lessons are only canceled if there is scheduling conflict, severe weather, other incident, or mechanical problems with the pool or surrounding building. In the event we are experiencing ‘wintery weather’ please keep a close eye on your email inbox and/or voicemail for a message from BP Aquatics regarding classes. If lessons are cancelled, we will let you know at the next scheduled class time if the class will be made-up or refunded. We do not offer make-ups for classes you miss, however, if you have questions about unique situations, please contact Cassidy.
Cancellations and refunds must be done 5 days prior to the start of class to receive a FULL REFUND.
How do I know what level to sign up for next time?
On the final day your child will be given a detailed evaluation of what skills they can do and areas for improvement. They will also be told what level to sign up for next time. If you miss the last class, contact Cassidy as she we will hold evaluations at the Community Activity Center for 2 weeks after the session. If you know that your child will be missing a class during the session, or you would like more information on how they are progressing in the class, please speak to your child’s instructor or pool supervisor! Standards for evaluations are established by the American Red Cross. Students are required to perform each skill listed on the swimming report card. Testing in many levels is done throughout the session and is not limited to one specific day. The skill and distance requirements must be met more than once, and the skill must be performed with correct coordination as well as timing.