*Original publication date: May 29, 2026.*

The Village of Homer Recreation Department will offer free swim lessons for residents of the Village and Town of Homer this July at YWCA Cortland!

If space allows, registration will open to residents of other municipalities during the last week of registration at a rate of $50 per session.

Online registration opens June 1 and closes on June 30.

Session #1: Four-week session held Monday – Thursday

Class Dates: July 6 – July 30 (no classes on Fridays)

Registration Dates: June 1 – June 30 (non-Homer residents can sign up the last week of registration IF SPACE ALLOWS)

Ages: 5 – 15 years old

Level 1 Class Time: 1:00 – 1:30 pm

Levels 2, 3 & 4 Class Time: 1:30 – 2:00 pm

Online Registration Details: Parents/guardians will use the online registration link above to submit required information, sign permissions/waivers, and provide details to help the YWCA assign children to the correct swim lesson levels.

PLEASE NOTE: You will need to sign in to your account or create a new one in our online member management system, Daxko, to complete your online registration. You will also need to create a profile in your account for each child you are registering online for swim lessons. You will then complete the registration under your child(s) profile(s). Please click to view instructions for updating your profile and sending your scan barcode to your phone.

See below for swim lesson level descriptions:  

Level 1: Students are introduced and work on elementary skills. Blowing bubbles, opening eyes under water, front and back floats, and glides.  Alternating and simultaneous arm and leg movements on front and back are also introduced.  All skills are done with the support of the instructor.

Level 2: Students need less support.  Front and back glides with kicks are taught, and combined arm and leg action on the front for five body lengths.  Students work on fully submerging and holding their breath and front floats for 5 seconds.  Students open their eyes underwater and retrieve objects.  Treading water is introduced as well as exploration of the deep end.

Level 3: Front and back glides are unsupported. Front and back crawl become more accomplished. Rotary breathing for front crawl, dolphin kick and elementary backstroke will be introduced.  Students will be able to jump in the deep end, and diving (from the knee) will be introduced. Students will increase their time of treading water to 30 seconds.  Lessons will be in the deep end.

Level 4: Instruction includes coordinating front crawl (25 yards), backstroke (15 yards), elementary backstroke (25 yards), breaststroke, sidestroke, and butterfly (15 yards). Dives are done from a standing position.

Swimmers must pass all skills to move to the next level.

*Content included in this post was accurate on the date it was published. All information and pricing are subject to change without notice.*