Level Up!!
Gate Hill Day Camp
Aquatics Program

We take pride in our outstanding swim program!

Swim Progression based on the American Red Cross 'learn to swim' program
Campers get achievement tags showing their progress.  Kind of like a colored Karate belt.
Waterslide tower, splash park, boating, and special events.

Swimming Progression Levels

(PS 1) Green Tags

green minnow

Minnow

Enter water using steps, ladder, or side (A)
Exit water using steps, ladder, or side (A)
Blow bubbles through mouth & nose for 3 seconds (A)
Submerge mouth, nose & eyes (A)
Open eyes underwater & retrieve submerged items in shallow water (A)
Front glide, 2 body lengths (A)
Front glide to a standing vertical position (A)
Back glide, 2 body lengths (A)
Back float, 3 seconds (A)
Back float or glide to a vertical position (A)
Roll from front to back (A)
Roll from back to front (A)
Reviewed safety topics
green goldfish

Goldfish

Arm & hand treading actions in chest deep water (A)
Alternating leg action on front, 2 body lengths (A)
Simultaneous leg action on front, 2 body lengths (A)
Alternating arm action on front, 2 body lengths (A)
Simultaneous arm action on front, 2 body lengths (A)
Combined arm & leg action on front, 2 body lengths (A)
Alternating leg action on back, 2 body lengths (A)
Simultaneous leg action on back, 2 body lengths (A)
Alternating arm action on back, 2 body lengths (A)
Simultaneous arm action on back, 2 body lengths (A)
Combined arm & leg action on back, 2 body lengths (A)
Reviewed safety topics

(PS2) Blue Tags

blue minnow

Minnow

Enter water from side into shoulder deep water
Enter water using ladder, steps or side from chest deep water
Bobbing, 5 times
Open eyes underwater & retrieve submerged items in shallow water
Front glide, 2 body lengths (A)
Front float, 3 seconds (A)
Recover from a float or glide to a vertical position (A)
Combined arm & leg action on front, 3 body lengths (A)
Reviewed safety topics
blue goldfish

Goldfish

Back glide, 2 body lengths (A)
Back float, 5 seconds (A)
Recover from back float or glide to a vertical position (A)
Roll from front to back (A)
Roll from back to front (A)
Tread water using arm & leg actions, 15 seconds (A)
Finning arm action on back, 3 body lengths (A)
Combined arm & leg action on back, 3 body lengths (A)
Reviewed safety topics

(PS3) Orange Tags

orange duck tag

Duck

Enter water by jumping from side into shoulder deep water
Fully submerge & hold breath, 10 seconds
Bobbing 10 times
Front float, 10 seconds
Jellyfish float, 10 seconds
Tuck float, 10 seconds
Recover from front float or glide to vertical position
Rotary breathing while standing still, 5 times
Reviewed safety topics
orange frog tag

Frog

Back glide, 3 body lengths
Back float, 15 seconds
Recover from back float or glide to vertical position
Change direction of travel while swimming
Tread water in shoulder deep water, 30 seconds
Combined arm & leg action on front, 5 body lengths
Finning arm action on back, 5 body lengths
Combined arm & leg action on back, 5 body lengths
Reviewed safety topics

Level 1 (Yellow Tags)

yellow barracuda tag

Barracuda

Enter water using steps, ladder or side
Exit water using steps, ladder or side
Blow Bubbles, 3 seconds
Bobbing, 5 times
Open eyes underwater & retrieve submerged items in shallow water, 3 times
Arm & hand treading action in chest deep water (A)
Reviewed safety topics
yellow dolphin tag

Dolphin

Front glide, 2 body lengths (A)
Recover from a front glide to vertical position (A)
Roll from front to back (A)
Alternating leg action on front, 2 body lengths (A)
Simultaneous leg action on front, 2 body lengths (A)
Alternating arm action on front, 2 body lengths (A)
Simultaneous arm action on front, 2 body lengths (A)
Combined arm & leg action on front, 2 body lengths
Reviewed safety topics
yellow shark tag

Shark

Back float 5 seconds (A)
Back glide, 2 body lengths (A)
Recover from a back float or glide to vertical position (A)
Roll from back to front (A)
Alternating leg action on back, 2 body lengths (A)
Simultaneous leg action on back, 2 body lengths (A)
Alternating arm action on back, 2 body lengths (A)
Simultaneous arm action on back, 2 body lengths (A)
Combined arm & leg action on back, 2 body lengths
Reviewed safety topics

Level 2 (Red Tags)

red barracuda

Barracuda

Enter shoulder deep water by jumping or stepping from the side
Use ladder, steps or side to exit from chest deep water
Bobbing, 10 times
Open eyes & retrieve submerged items in chest deep water, 3 times
Rotary breathing while standing still, 5 times
Reviewed safety topics

Dolphin

Front glide, 2 body lengths
Front float, 10 seconds
Jellyfish float, 10 seconds
Tuck float, 10 seconds
Recover from a front glide or float to vertical position, in chest deep water
Back glide, 2 body lengths
Back float, 10 seconds
Recover from a back float or glide to a vertical position in chest deep water
Reviewed safety topics

Shark

Roll from front to back
Roll from back to front
Change directions while swimming on front or back in chest deep water
Tread water using arms & legs in shoulder deep water, 15 seconds
Combined arm & leg action on front, 5 body lengths
Finning arm action on back, 5 body lengths
Combined arm & leg action on back, 5 body lengths
Reviewed safety topics

Level 3 (Hot Pink Tags)

Barracuda

Jump into deep water, fully submerge, recover to surface & swim to wall
Headfirst entry from sitting position
Headfirst entry from kneeling position
Bobbing while moving towards safety, 15 times
Rotary breathing while standing still, 15 times
Survival float on front, 30 seconds
Back float, 1 minute
Reviewed safety topics

Dolphin

Change from vertical to horizontal position on front, in deep water
Change from vertical to horizontal position on back, in deep water
Rotate 1 full turn in vertical position
Tread water, 1 minute
Push off in a streamlined position on front & then flutter kick, 15 yards
Push off in a streamlined position on front & then dolphin kick, 15 yards
Front crawl with rotary breathing, 15 yards
Breaststroke kick, 15 yards
Reviewed safety topics

Shark

Whip kick, 15 yards
Elementary backstroke, 15 yards
Scissor kick, 15 yards
Reviewed safety topics

Level 4 (Granite)

Barracuda

Head first entry from side, compact position
Headfirst entry from side, stride position
Swim underwater, 5 body lengths
Feet first surface dive
Survival swimming in deep water, 1 minute
Reviewed safety topics

Dolphin

Front crawl open turn
Open turn on back
Tread water using two different kicks, 2 minutes
Front crawl, 25 yards
Breaststroke, 15 yards
Butterfly, 15 yards
Reviewed safety topics

Shark

Push off streamlines position on back & flutter kick, 15 yards
Push off streamlines position on back & dolphin kick, 15 yards
Elementary backstroke, 25 yards
Back crawl, 15 yards
Sidestroke, 15 yards
Reviewed safety topics

Level 5 (Black Tags)

Barracuda

Shallow angle dive from side
Shallow angle dive, glide 2-3 body lengths & begin any front stroke
Tuck surface dive
Pike surface dive
Reviewed safety topics

Dolphin

Front flip turn, while swimming
Backstroke flipturn, while swimming
Tread water, 5 minutes
Tread water using legs only, 2 minutes
Front crawl, 50 yards, with flip turn
Breaststroke, 50 yards, with open turn
Butterfly, 25 yards
Reviewed safety topics

Shark

Elementary backstroke, 50 yards, with open turn
Back crawl, 25 yards
Standard skull, 30 seconds
Sidestroke, 25 yards
Reviewed safety topics

Level 6: Personal Water Safety

White Barracuda

Front crawl, 100 yards
Front crawl open turn, while swimming
Front flip turn, while swimming
Back crawl, 50 yards, back crawl open turn, while swimming
Elementary backstroke, 100 yards
Back crawl open turn, while swimming
Breaststroke, 50 yards
Breaststroke turn, while swimming
Sidestroke, 50 yards
Sidestroke open turn, while swimming
Butterfly stroke, 50 yards
Butterfly turn, while swimming
Tread water using only legs, 2 minutes
Survival swimming, 10 minutes
HELP position in deep water, 2 minutes
HELP position in deep water, 2 minutes
Huddle position in deep water, 2 minutes
Feet first surface dive
Tuck surface dive
Surface dive, retrieve object
Back float, 5 minutes
Survival float 5 minutes
Reviewed safety topics

Level 7: Fundamentals of Diving

White Dolphin

Front crawl, 100 yards
Elementary backstroke, 100 yards
Back crawl, 50 yards
Breaststroke, 50 yards
Sidestroke, 50 yards
Butterfly stroke, 50 yards
Front crawl open turn, while swimming
Back crawl open turn, while swimming
Front flip turn, while swimming
Backstroke flip turn, while swimming
Sidestroke open turn, while swimming
Butterfly turn, while swimming
Breaststroke turn, while swimming
Basic stretching exercises for diving
Body alignment & control
Surface dive, retrieve object
Diving from deck
Diving from board
Takeoff from deck
Forward jump in tuck position
Forward dive in tuck position
Forward jump in pike position
Reviewed safety topics

Level 8: Fitness Swimmer

White Shark

Front crawl, 100 yards
Elementary backstroke, 100 yards
Back crawl, 50 yards
Breaststroke, 50 yards
Sidestroke, 50 yards
Butterfly stroke, 50 yards
Front crawl open turn, while swimming
Back crawl open turn, while swimming
Front flip turn, while swimming
Backstroke flip turn, while swimming
Sidestroke open turn, while swimming
Sidestroke open turn, while swimming
Breaststroke turn, while swimming
Surface dive, retrieve object from bottom
Describe how to set up an exercise program
Demonstrate various training techniques
Calculate target heart rate
Demonstrate aquatic exercise
Circle swimming
Using a pace clock
Using a pull buoy while swimming, 25 yards
Using fins while swimming, 25 yards
Using paddles while swimming, 25 yards
Reviewed safety topics

Level 10: Submariner

Certificate

Front crawl, 100 yards
Elementary backstroke, 100 yards
Back crawl, 50 yards
Sidestroke, 50 yards
Butterfly, 50 yards
Using fins with flutter kick, 100 yards
Using fins with dolphin kick, 100 yards
Using fins while swimming from top to bottom repeatedly, 100 yards
Use of snorkeling equipment
Dry fitting snorkel equipment with a buddy
Cleaning snorkel mask
Mask removal & cleaning
Calm breathing for snorkeling
Walking in fins
Care of equipment
Defogging a snorkel mask
Pool entry with equipment
Buoyancy control
Snorkel clearing
Surface diving, remain at the bottom for at least 5 seconds
Equalizing ear pressure
Snorkeling with a lifejacket
Snorkeling without a lifejacket
Reviewed safety topics

Level 20: Trident Program (Certificate)

Getting Started

History of paddling
Boating etiquette
Basic paddling vocabulary
Parts of a canoe & kayak
Vees, round-bottom & flat-bottom
Canoe paddles
Kayak paddles

Launching & Landing the Craft

Taking the craft off the rack
Transporting the craft to the water
Launching the canoe from shore
Launching a canoe from a dock
Launching a kayak
Swim craft to shore
Float to safety
Re-entering a canoe
Righting a kayak
Assisted rescues
Self Rescue
Survival floating
Self rescue when clothed
Self rescue when wearing a life jacket

Canoe Paddling

Paddling positions
Holding the Paddle
Parts of the stroke

Canoe Basic Strokes

Shallow angle dive from side
Back stroke
Draw stroke
Pry stroke
J-stroke
J-stroke
J-stroke
Minnesota switch or Hut stroke
Stern Rudder

Specialty Skills

Fitting lifejackets
Feet first surface dive
Tread water, 5 minutes
Head first surface dive

Kayak Paddling

Paddling Positions
Holding the paddle
Sidestroke, 25 yards

Kayak Basic Strokes

Forward stroke
Back stroke
Tuck surface dive
Forward sweep stroke
Reverse sweep stroke
Draw stroke

Safety

Selecting the right water
Personal floatation devices
Other safety tips
Hypothermia
Front crawl, 50 yards, with flip turn
Breaststroke, 50 yards, with open turn
Butterfly, 25 yards
Reviewed safety topics

Reviewed safety topics

Full reviewed topics

Level 30: Master Swimmer

Certificate

Shallow angle dive from side
Shallow angle dive, glide 2-3 body lengths & begin any front stroke
Tuck surface dive
Pike surface dive
Reviewed safety topics

Level 40: Guard Start (Certificate)

Drowning Prevention & Surveillance

Shallow angle dive from side
Shallow angle dive, glide 2-3 body lengths & begin any front stroke
Tuck surface dive
Pike surface dive
Reviewed safety topics

Emergency Procedures

Front flip turn, while swimming
Backstroke flipturn, while swimming
Tread water, 5 minutes
Tread water using legs only, 2 minutes
Front crawl, 50 yards, with flip turn
Breaststroke, 50 yards, with open turn
Butterfly, 25 yards
Reviewed safety topics

First Aid

Elementary backstroke, 50 yards, with open turn
Back crawl, 25 yards
Standard skull, 30 seconds
Sidestroke, 25 yards
Reviewed safety topics

Assists

Shallow angle dive from side
Shallow angle dive, glide 2-3 body lengths & begin any front stroke
Tuck surface dive
Pike surface dive
Reviewed safety topics

Escapes

Front flip turn, while swimming
Backstroke flipturn, while swimming
Tread water, 5 minutes
Tread water using legs only, 2 minutes
Front crawl, 50 yards, with flip turn
Breaststroke, 50 yards, with open turn
Butterfly, 25 yards
Reviewed safety topics

Specialty skills

Elementary backstroke, 50 yards, with open turn
Back crawl, 25 yards
Standard skull, 30 seconds
Sidestroke, 25 yards
Reviewed safety topics

Entries

Shallow angle dive from side
Shallow angle dive, glide 2-3 body lengths & begin any front stroke
Tuck surface dive
Pike surface dive
Reviewed safety topics

Approaches

Front flip turn, while swimming
Backstroke flipturn, while swimming
Tread water, 5 minutes
Tread water using legs only, 2 minutes
Front crawl, 50 yards, with flip turn
Breaststroke, 50 yards, with open turn
Butterfly, 25 yards
Reviewed safety topics

Head, Neck & Spinal Injuries

Shallow angle dive from side
Shallow angle dive, glide 2-3 body lengths & begin any front stroke
Tuck surface dive
Pike surface dive
Reviewed safety topics

Saves

Elementary backstroke, 50 yards, with open turn
Back crawl, 25 yards
Standard skull, 30 seconds
Sidestroke, 25 yards
Reviewed safety topics

Level 50: Aquatic Associate (Certificate)

Teaching Experience

Assist with Teaching Learn to Swim Level 1
Assist with Teaching Learn to Swim Level 2
Assist with Teaching Learn to Swim Level 3
Assist with Teaching Learn to Swim Level 4
Assist with Teaching Learn to Swim Level 5
Assist with teaching diving
Assist with teaching a safety topic

Experience with Lesson Structure

Lesson plan format
Skill drill formations
Photographic eye
Making corrections in a positive manner
Creating healthy competition
Games for purpose & fun
Promoting safety in, on & around water

Questions about our swimming program?

Reach out to Gate Hill Day Camp's swim director and get all of your questions answered! 

Contact Our Swim Director

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