Our camp’s swim program is one of the highlights of the Dwight Summer Day Camp experience. Whether your camper is a beginner or an experienced swimmer, our program offers fun and builds confidence in the water.
Swimming Sessions:
Campers enjoy 4-5 swim sessions a week at the state-of-the-art Athletic Center. Click here to check it out! We run a 4:1 child-to-adult ratio in the pool (either swim instructor or lifeguard).
Facility:
Our 25-yard swimming pool features 6 lanes and 3 diving boards. Located on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, campers are transported to the pool using Dwight Summer Camp transportation.
Experienced Instructors:
Our swim instructors are experienced in working with young swimmers, certified in CPR and First Aid, and adhere to the guidelines set by the American Camp Association and the Department of Health.
Safety:
All of Dwight’s lifeguards are nationally certified and are the same team of professionals who oversee the pool year-round. We use a buddy system during swim time, where each camper is paired with a buddy. Periodically, the lifeguard will blow the whistle, signaling each pair to stop swimming, grab hands, and raise them overhead to ensure safety.
Swim Groups:
Campers are preliminarily tested and placed into appropriate swim groups. Our sessions include a “learn to swim” portion followed by organized recreational swim time. Campers must bring a towel, goggles, and a bag for wet bathing suits. Discovery and Explorers campers should arrive each morning in their bathing suits.
Swim Levels:
Our swim program is taught by certified, experienced professionals in our world-class, six-lane pool. We offer six differentiated swim levels, ensuring every camper, no matter their skill level, can enjoy and benefit from our lessons. We offer six differentiated swimming levels. Check them out here. While we do not provide daily or weekly updates, if your camper attends for longer than five weeks, our Aquatics department will be happy to provide a progress report upon request.
Water Confidence:
To help your camper have the most enjoyable and successful experience in the pool, we want to make sure they’re placed in the right swimming ability group and have every opportunity to build their skills and confidence. We strongly recommend completing our Swim Skill Assessment Form before camp begins — it helps our team ensure your camper is set up for safety, fun, and progress all summer long!
*Bright Horizons Swimming: Campers who attend one to two days per week and do not attend a Monday session will not be able to swim, as they will miss the mandatory swim test.
We can’t wait for your child to dive into the fun and gain confidence in the water with us this summer! If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to reach out to our Aquatics Team at eheiss@dwight.edu and bsaavedra@dwight.edu.
