WHAT ARE YOUR COVID-19 PROTOCOLS?

Bathrooms are now available for use but we still suggest you have your child arrive ready to swim in their swim suit. We suggest a swim parka ($40 on Amazon) to wrap your child in upon exiting the pool. 

Face coverings are no longer required. Teachers inside the pool are no longer required to wear face shields. Students DO NOT wear a face covering in the pool.  

We instruct our employees to not come to work for at least 14 days if they are exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms and require a negative test before returning to work.

All Teachers are vaccinated. 

 

WHAT SHOULD I BRING FOR SWIM LESSONS?

If your child is not potty trained we require they wear a swim diaper. We recommend children wear goggles to protect their eyes and enable them to see underwater. Because we are an outdoor Swim School, we recommend buying a 3mm Shorty/Spring Suit($28 on Amazon) to keep your child comfortable in the water. You should also bring a towel and sunscreen.

 

WHEN DO CLASSES START/END?

Classes run year round. Because classes are ongoing and since we teach children at the point of their need, you can start swim lessons at any time of the month during the year. We do require an email before the 1st of the month you wish to withdraw from when withdrawing from lessons.

 

HOW DO I REGISTER FOR A CLASS AND HOW WILL I BE BILLED?

Registration for classes is done online through our website on the Swim Class Schedule page. Just click Register on the left of the class you would like to enroll in. Classes start the week you enroll unless noted in parentheses of a later start date.  Payment reserves your space in the class and tuition is paid at the time of registration for all future classes in the month and again at the beginning of every month for all classes in that month.  If you join after the 1st tuition is prorated based on remaining classes in the month.  Accounts can be set up to accept all major credit cards and debit cards with Visa and Master card logos. Payment is based on the number of classes in the month, not the students attendance in classes. There are usually 4 classes in a month but sometimes there are 5, depending on the day and month. If a month has a recognized Holiday that your class falls on, you will not be billed for that day if we do not offer class. Please ensure you are ready to start lessons when you register as we do not allow registration into a class without immediate payment for all classes in the month upon enrollment.

 

 

WHAT IF WE DECIDE TO WITHDRAW FROM SWIM LESSONS?

We need to be informed by email of your decision to withdraw from lessons before the 1st of the month you wish to withdraw from, since we bill on the 1st of every month. Once you are enrolled in a class you remain enrolled until notifying Shipman Swim School of your desire to withdraw.  Email confirmation from Shipman Swim School completes the withdraw process. Once a month has been billed and since we do not offer refunds, be sure to email in advance of your next months billing cycle that you wish to withdraw from to ensure the process is completed.

 

WHAT IF MY CHILD CRIES?

Some children may cry during the first few lessons. This is normal. Our instructors are trained to be both compassionate and affirming. In an instance where your child may not want to get their face wet or is naturally anxious about learning something new, we use proven techniques designed to acclimate students to unfamiliar surroundings and instruction. Time and continuity are on our side!

 

WHAT IF IT RAINS?

As an outdoor swim school we offer lessons rain or shine. In rare instances, we will cancel lessons due to thunderstorms or hard rain. Always expect to come to lessons irrespective of the weather unless you have received an email or phone call from us stating otherwise. If we do cancel a lesson due to rain, it will always be later than sooner due to the changing nature of the weather and inaccuracy of weather forecasts.

 

WHAT IF MY CHILD MISSES A LESSON?

Makeups are allowed due to a missed class if we have received an email the day before the miss. If a student will be missing a class we require an email at least 24 hours in advance of class so we can fill the miss with a makeup. We understand children get sick and life happens, but we are not able to offer makeup lessons for a missed class outside of these parameters.

If we do not receive an email 24 hours in advance of the missed class a makeup for that miss will be forfeited. Emailing or calling right before a class without 24 hours notice does not give us enough time to fill your absence with a student who needs a makeup. Makeups are offered based on openings in the swim schedule. We ask that you make reasonable attempts to accept our makeup opening offer. Makeups cannot be “banked” or saved and must be taken or forfeited within 1 week of the missed class. Makeups for a missed makeup class will be forfeited; we do not allow makeups for a missed makeup class.

We do not reduce payment for any month based on future or previous misses; this is why we offer makeup lessons. Swim Lessons occur rain or shine and at the discretion of Shipman Swim School. We do not offer cash refunds so please do your best to work with us when scheduling makeups.

 

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR MY CHILD TO LEARN TO SWIM?

Learning to swim is a process. Much of your child’s success will depend on their age, ability, and skill level. Setting realistic goals and expectations from the onset will provide a platform for your child to excel.

 

DO I NEED TO BE A MEMBER OF THE ELKS LODGE TO ENROLL IN SWIM LESSONS?

You do not need to be a member of the Elks Lodge to enroll in our Swim Program, nor do we charge a “membership” fee for swim lessons.

 

WHY DO I NEED TO SIGN A CONSENT FORM?

Swimming any where any time by any one carries inherent risks. Your child will receive swim lessons in a safe, controlled environment. By signing a consent form you acknowledge you are aware of swimming’s inherent risks and agree to allow your child to participate in our swim program. Please read each segment before checking the box and acknowledging your understanding of our policies.