SWIMMING

Pool Safety

Certified Lifeguards will always be on duty whenever campers are in the pool. Group counselors will be in the water assisting the swim instructors  and on deck as “look-outs” to help watch over the swimmers. Pool rules and water safety skills are taught and reinforced with campers throughout each session.

Owls Nest Swimming Program

Certified swimming instructors work with each child, based on their ability, to develop their individual swimming skills. Campers are divided into small groups to provide a teaching ratio often as small as 1:5 and never larger than 1:9. Group counselors also provide assistance in the water.

All Owls Nest campers participate in a daily instructional swim lesson. Our 9am – 4pm campers receive an additional free swim period.

 

Owls Nest Instructional Swim

All Owls Nest campers will participate in instructional swim lessons for one half hour each morning. Lessons are taught by Red Cross certified Water Safety Instructors and/or certified Lifeguards. Group counselors assist in the water during instructional swim. We use the Red Cross Preschool Aquatics Program. Various floatation devices are used as needed to aid proper kick and arm stroke development. Your child will be taught water adjustment, swimming skills and water safety skills at his/her individual level in a safe, nurturing atmosphere of play, with guidance, encouragement, and support. All campers must participate in instructional swim, but no camper will be forced to try a skill he/she may not be emotionally or physically ready for.

Checklist for Levels 1-3

From the American Red Cross Swim Levels Chart:

Screen Shot 2016-07-26 at 2.13.46 PM

Owls Nest Free Swim

Owls Nest campers who stay until 4:00 will have free swim in the afternoon. While all campers will dress for swimming and come to the pool with their group, a camper may choose not to swim during free swim. Free swim is an unstructured time for the children to practice skills  and have fun with campmates and counselors.

Visiting the Owls Nest Pool

Parents are always welcome to observe instructional and free swim. Occasionally seeing a parent in the middle of the camp day can renew feelings of separation anxiety. You know your child best. Please consider your camper’s reaction when planning a visit. Please check in at the Owls Nest office before coming to the pool. We ask that parents observe from outside the fence to minimize distractions and maintain safety.

Contact the Owls Nest Pool

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact Janine Schultze, Owls Nest Pool Head, at (781)-320-7036.

Big Camp Swim Program

Certified swimming instruction is provided daily to groups entering 1st – 7th grade. Campers swim twice per day, in the morning and in the afternoon. One swim period is instructional and the other is for free swim.

Campers in 1st through 7th grade receive American Red Cross swimming instruction. To determine their swimming ability, campers are tested and placed in the appropriate level (Level 1 – 6) based on their ability.

We offer our campers entering 1st – 6th grades the option of a 9 am –2 pm schedule. Campers who pick this schedule may not have a free swim block and will miss an afternoon activity.

Since older campers take frequent field trips, instructional swim is not provided for the Eights and Nines. When they are at camp, they will follow a typical camp schedule. They can choose from a variety of activities and will have a block of free swim time.

1A / 1B / 1C

  • The 1s swim at the U-Pool during free swim. Campers in ARC Level 2 or higher may swim under the rope and in the 4½ feet.  This section is called the “deep end” of the U-Pool. Each camper receives a BLUE bracelet to indicate they are allowed to swim under the rope.
  • Once a week, each section swims at the L-Pool during free swim. Campers in ARC Level 3 or higher may swim in the 9 foot end of the pool. This section is called the “deep end” of the L-Pool. Each camper receives a GREEN bracelet to indicate they are allowed to swim in the 9 foot end.  During this time, they are swimming with the 8s and 9s and we are very careful and closely monitor the 1s.

2A / 2B / 2C & 3A / 3B

  • Once a week, each section swims at the L-Pool during free swim. Campers in ARC Level 3 or higher may swim in the 9 foot end.  This section is called the “deep end” of the L-Pool. Each camper receives a GREEN bracelet to indicate they are allowed to swim in the 9 foot end.

4A / 4B, 5A / 5B, JRS, SRS, 8s, & 9s

  • All campers are allowed to swim in all sections of both the L-Pool and Lap Pool.

 

Big Camp Instructional Swim

All campers will participate in instructional swim lessons for one half hour each morning. Lessons are taught by Red Cross certified Water Safety Instructors and/or certified Lifeguards. We use the Red Cross Preschool Aquatics Program. Various floatation devices are used as needed to aid proper kick and arm stroke development. Your child will be taught swimming skills and water safety skills at his/her individual level with guidance, encouragement and support. All campers must participate in instructional swim, but no camper will be forced to try a skill he/she may not be emotionally or physically ready for.

Checklist for Levels 1-6

From the American Red Cross Swim Levels Chart:

Screen Shot 2016-07-26 at 2.14.30 PM

 

Big Camp Free Swim

Campers who stay until 4:00 will have free swim in the afternoon. While all campers will dress for swimming and come to the pool with their group, a camper may choose not to swim during free swim. Free swim is an unstructured time for the children to practice skills  and have fun with campmates and counselors.

Big Camp Pools

1A / 1B / 1C

  • The 1s swim at the U-Pool during free swim. Campers in ARC Level 2 or higher may swim under the rope and in the 4½ feet.  This section is called the “deep end” of the U-Pool. Each camper receives a BLUE bracelet to indicate they are allowed to swim under the rope.
  • Once a week, each section swims at the L-Pool during free swim. Campers in ARC Level 3 or higher may swim in the 9 foot end of the pool. This section is called the “deep end” of the L-Pool. Each camper receives a GREEN bracelet to indicate they are allowed to swim in the 9 foot end.  During this time, they are swimming with the 8s and 9s and we are very careful and closely monitor the 1s.

2A / 2B / 2C & 3A / 3B

  • Once a week, each section swims at the L-Pool during free swim. Campers in ARC Level 3 or higher may swim in the 9 foot end.  This section is called the “deep end” of the L-Pool. Each camper receives a GREEN bracelet to indicate they are allowed to swim in the 9 foot end.

4A / 4B, 5A / 5B, JRS, SRS, 8s, & 9s

  • All campers are allowed to swim in all sections of both the L-Pool and Lap Pool.

 

Contact Big Camp Swim

 If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact Terri Cojohn, NDC Pool Head, via the Nobles Day Camp office:

HOURS: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, Monday – Friday
SUMMER HOURS: 7:00 am – 6:00 pm, Monday – Friday

PHONE: 781-320-1320 FAX: 877-325-8736
E-MAIL: camp@nobles.edu

CAMP DIRECTOR: Beth Johns-Thomas (beth_johnsthomas@nobles.edu) 781-320-7031
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: Gary Ross (gary_ross@nobles.edu) 781-320-7032
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Colleen Collins (colleen_collins@nobles.edu) 781-320-7033