Swimming is a fun, healthy way to get your child active, however drowning is the leading cause of death for ages 1-4, behind birth defects. It’s essential to every family to teach your child early how to swim and about the importance of water safety. During the pandemic, many families could not access swim lessons for their children. This summer is an opportunity to enroll children in water safety and swim lessons to build a lifelong, lifesaving skill.
We looked at tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and made a list on why swim lessons are so important and what to look for in a quality learn to swim program.
You can find a full list of swim programs in the Tampa/Sarasota/Pinellas area by clicking here
#1. Improves Safety
Living in Florida, we are surrounded by water which leaves families who are not prepared greater chances for a tragedy. Teaching your child at the age of 1 how to swim is a good start, classes that include both parents and their children also are a good way to introduce good water safety habits and start building swim readiness skills. Swim lessons help become more comfortable in the water, and teaches them to float and safely operate in the water. This also empowers them to attend pool parties and enjoy social time with their friends in and around the water.
#2. Amazing Health Benefits
Swimming is not only an essential skill to have, but is a great form of exercise and it can also improve your health. It has been proven that swimming is one of the best calorie-burning exercises, can aide in weight-loss, muscle growth, and promotes better overall cardiovascular health. A study from Griffith University stated that 3-5 year old’s who learned to swim early had better verbal, math, and literacy skills when compared to children their same age that didn’t know how to swim.
#3. Excellent Competition Skills
Swimming is a fun, competitive sport for all ages. Developmental swim teams can start at the age of 5, giving you child the ability to master a life-long skill and also make new friends in the process. Competitive swimming can give your child the opportunity to even earn a scholarship.
#4. Maintain Water Purity
Younger children are more likely to swallow or breathe in pool water. Finding a class that follows water disinfection and maintaining proper chlorine levels should be a top priority for parents. Hypothermia is a greater risk at this age. Ideally, swim and water safety classes for children age 3 and younger should be in water heated to 87 to 94 degrees Fahrenheit.
#5. Make Sure Instructors Are Qualified
Keep your mind at ease by ensuring that your child’s instructor is trained and certified through a nationally recognized learn-to-swim curriculum. There should also be lifeguards on duty who have current CPR and First Aid certification. Lessons should provide training with a variety of realistic conditions, such as falling in and swimming in clothes. It’s also suggested that parents watch a class before enrolling their child to make sure it’s the right fit.
#6. Develop Good Safety Habits In, On, Or Near Water
Children should never swim alone or left unsupervised near water. Instructors should teach children to always ask for permission from parents, lifeguards, or swimming instructors before they get into a pool or natural bodies of water like a lake. Children should also be instructed to always wear life jackets when in, on, or near natural bodies of water.
#7. It's FUN
Learning to swim is a fun process, and being able to swim allows kids to enjoy cooling down during the summer. Once a child learns how to swim confidently, it opens up a world to other water activities like surfing, kayaking, or waterskiing.
13 Tampa Bay Summer Programs For Kids
2022 Pin Chasers Summer Camps (Bowling + More)
Pin Chasers day camp is catered to beginners and more advanced bowlers alike. BONUS: bowling camps keep kids active while staying inside safe from the heat and storms of summer. Camp includes: A FREE bowling ball, pin water bottle, and t-shirt for each child, daily snacks and lunch, bowling and competitions, indoor and outdoor games, arts and crafts, and other activities, arcade games and camp party.
Ages: 5 through 15
Where? Pin Chasers Midtown, East Pasco, or Veterans
When? June 6th – July 22nd (see specific dates below), 9:00 am through 3:30 pm
How much? $199 (Get $20 off if you sign up before June 5 with code EARLY )
Early drop-off (7:30 am) and/or late pick-up (6:00 pm) are available for a flat rate of $30.Register here
Little Brushes: Art Summer Camp
Located at Pinots Palette in Wesley Chapel, Little Brushes offers a fun-filled party, atmosphere where your little artists can have a blast creating their own masterpieces.
Ages: 6-12 years old
Where: Pinots Palette – 1718 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Wesley Chapel
How much: $45 for week day classes, $55 for Friday classes, $175 for a week
When: June 7 – July 30, 2021
What’s Included:
– A Painting session
– A different Craft each Day
– Games and Fun!Register here
2022 Busch Gardens Summer Camps
Come face to face with amazing wild animals, take on the newest thrill ride- Iron Gwazi- and learn what is takes to be a Zookeeper at a Busch Gardens Summer Camp, choose between day camps or resident camps.
Ages: 1st-8th grade.
When: June 6- July 29, 2022
How much: Starting at $209
Where: 10165 McKinley Dr, Tampa, FL 33612Register here
MOSI Summer Science Camps
Your kids will love the hands-on STEAM activities at MOSI camp! Camp hours are 9 am – 4 pm. Extended hours are available from 7 am – 9 am and/or 4 pm – 6 pm for an additional fee.
When: May 31- August 5, 2022
Ages: Kindergarten to 8th Grade
Where: 4801 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, Florida, United States, 33617
How much: Ranges from $289/week to $333/week
Multi week discount: 3 – 5 camps – $75 off total
6 – 8 camps – $175 off total
9 + camps – $225 off totalBecome a MOSI Member today and save 25% on camp fees.
Register here
New Tampa Family YMCA Summer Camp
The Tampa YMCA Summer Camps are now ACA Accredited! This means the Tampa Y camps underwent a thorough review of our operations by the American Camp Association (ACA).
When: May 31 – August 5, 2022
Ages: 6-14
Where: 16221 Compton Dr., Tampa, FL 33647
How Much: Ranges from camp type – $159-$408Register here
RADDSports Summer Camps at Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus
Come sharpen your skills with instruction from expert coaches, make new friends, and have some serious fun! Offering a variety of activities including: basketball, soccer, volleyball, and cheerleading summer camps.
When:
All-Sport Summer Camp Dates: June-July 2022
Cheer Camp – Youth Dates: June – August 2022
Cheer RADD Team Summer Camp: June 2022
Cheer School Team Summer Camp Dates: June 2022
RADDSports Basketball Summer Camp Dates: June – August 2022
RADDSports Soccer Summer Camps: June – July 2022
Volleyball Attacking Summer Camps: June 2022
Volleyball Defense Summer Camps: June 2022
Volleyball Elite Summer Camp: July 2022
Volleyball Setting Summer Camps: June 2022
Volleyball Team Summer Camp: July 2022
Ages: 6-16
Where: 3021 Sports Coast Way, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543
How much: $325.00 per camperRegister here
Mathnasium of New Tampa Summer Camps
Mathnasium is your neighborhood math-only learning center that teaches kids math a way that makes sense to them. Their instruction approach goes beyond traditional math tutoring to develop understanding and build a love for math.
Ages: 1-12th Grade
Where: 19056 Bruce B Downs Blvd. Tampa, FL 33647.
When: June-July 2022Register here
Bricks 4 Kidz- Tampa 2022 Summer Camps
Bricks 4 Kidz is back with a whole new summer of LEGO® camps. All of their camps are week-long camps that have full day and half day options. Pricing and discounts vary depending on location, length of camp, and when you register.
Ages: 4.5 – 12 years old.
Where: Multiple locations
When: May 31 – August 13, 2022 (Varies by location) See all summer camp locations.
How much: $125 – $285, Half and Full Day CampsRegister here
Clubhouse Super Summer Camp in South Tampa
Led by our experienced and dynamic staff, this camp features daily field trips, along with a wide variety of exciting, hands-on activities, including sports, art, science, clubs and much more!
Ages: 3-12
When: May 31, 2022 – August 5, 2022. 6:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Where: 6202 S MacDill Ave, Tampa, FL 33611
How much: Starting at $130/weekly
– 10% discount for siblings
– 10% discount for Public School Teachers
– 10% discount for Military membersRegister here
Firehouse Youth Centre Summer Camps
All summer camp registrations include a Busch Gardens and Adventure Island Pass used weekly during summer camp.
Ages: 2nd – 8th grade
When: May – July
Where: 1511 US 301 South Tampa, FL
How much: Registration $125/ Weekly $135Register here
The Florida Academy of Performing Arts' Camp
This camp offers acting, arts & crafts, games, singing, drums, musical theatre, beginner guitar, ukulele, and other fun activities. The camp is a full day with an early drop-off and late pick-up option for FREE.
Ages: 5 – 17
When: May 31-August 5, 2022 / 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: 402 Oakfield Dr., Brandon, FL, 33511
How much: $230/week, $55/dayRegister here
AJ's Kitchen Drawer Summer Cooking Camps
Your young chef will enjoy our fun, hands-on Culinary Camps while learning skills to last a lifetime: Cooking!
Ages: 8 and up
When: June 6-August 5, 2022 (no camp week of July 4) 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: 13974 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, FL, 33635
How much: $259.99/weekRegister here
Florida Aquarium Summer Camps
Science-themed AquaCamps feature hands-on learning, animal encounters and so much more.
Ages: 3-14
When: May 31-August 5, 2022. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL, 33602
How much: $160-$365 (Varies per summer program/age)