Parker’s Swim School

Our swim school introduces convenient registration and progressive levels for students starting at six months old, all the way to adults. Levels are designed for specific age groups to ensure an appropriate curriculum, small class sizes, and highly qualified instructors.

Locations: Vaughan Athletic Center / Phillips Park Family Aquatic Center

Contact Vaughan Athletic Center with questions at 630-907-9600.



  • Parker's Swim School
  • Swim Lessons - Weather Cancellation and Pool Closure Information
  • Private Swim Lessons
  • Riptides Swim Team
  • Parker's Swim School

    Parker’s Babies (Parent/Child)

    Children and Parents are introduced to the pool through a gently structured swim class. This class encourages children to enjoy themselves while learning about the water. With the help of a parent, children will learn about body position in the water; they will learn how to float and other fundamental swimming and safety skills. Each child must be accompanied by an adult, swim diapers must be worn by children not yet potty trained.

    Parker’s Swim School (Toddlers: 2-3Y / Pre-K: 4-5Y / Youth: 6-15Y)

    Level 1: Water Adjustment: Students with little or no experience work on swimming basics and becoming comfortable in water.

    Level 2: Swimming Basics: Students continue developing basic skills and learn body position in the water. Improvements to front/back glide, floating, and arm and leg movements help participants learn freestyle and backstroke.

    Level 3: Swimming Stamina: Building on front/back gliding and floating, students build endurance for freestyle and backstroke.

    Level 4: Stroke Fundamentals: While building more endurance, students learn the importance of rhythmic breathing. The basics of breaststroke and butterly will be introduced. Swimmers must swim one pool length in freestyle and backstroke to complete this level.

    Level 5: Stroke Advancement: Participants combine arm and leg movements to enhance knowledge of breaststroke and butterfly. To complete this level, they must swim two pool lengths using freestyle with rhythmic breathing, backstroke and be comfortable in breaststroke.

    Conditioning (10-15Y)

    Must have passed level 5 of Parker’s Swim School or equivilent

    Conditioning: Practice swim team drills with an experienced coach! Students will perform drills and workouts similar to what is expected on a competitive team, further refining strokes and endurance.

    Teen/Adult Swim Lessons (16Y & up)

    This class focuses on floating and general arm/leg movements for swimming freestyle and backstroke. To complete the level, students must swim 25 yards of freestyle and backstroke.

    How do I know what level to sign my swimmer up for in Parker’s Swim School?

    Consider your swimmer’s abilities:

    Level 1
    Can they float, put their face in the water, and kick across the pool without assistance?
    If, NO they should register for Level 1, if YES, check eligibility for Level 2-3.

    Level 2-3
    Can your swimmer attempt the breast and front/back crawl strokes and complete 25 yards without stopping?
    If, NO they should register for Level 2-3, if YES, check eligibility for Level 4-5.

    Level 4-5
    Is your swimmer working on stroke refinement, proper breathing techniques, and can complete 50 yards without stopping?
    If, NO they should register for Level 4-5, if YES, please check out Parker’s Conditioning (Pre-Swim Team), Riptides Swim Team, or Private Lessons.

    Swim Lessons - Weather Cancellation and Pool Closure Information

    Text and Email Alerts

    Sign up to receive TEXT and EMAIL alerts about Outdoor Swim Lessons. Alerts provide you with timely information about weather-related closings. You may opt out at any time. It’s super easy!

    Here’s how:

    1. Click here: RAINOUTLINE.COM
    2. Click Outdoor Swim Lessons
    3. Click Email & Text Alerts (on left side of page)
    4. Follow instructions to sign up to receive alerts
    5. Choose to receive alerts through email, text or both

    Once you’re finished registering you’re set to go! OR… Download the FREE APP here!

    Pool Closures

    Reasons for Pool Closures

    The Aquatics Supervisor or the Manager of Aquatics may close the pools under the following conditions:

    • An electrical storm
    • Severe weather conditions
    • Air temperature drops below 67 degrees
    • Attendance drops below 20 guests or severely reduced
    • Mechanical difficulties and pool maintenance
    Inclement Weather Guidelines

    Opening and closing of the facility is subject to prevailing weather conditions, including cold weather, electrical storms, strong winds and heavy rains.

    • The facility will close if the air temperature drops below 67 degrees (exception: private rental groups will have the option to cancel or continue with their rental if a closure of this nature occurs).
    • If a guard while on duty should spot bad weather or lightning, he/she will blow their whistle, three short blasts and wait for a Supervisor or Manager.
    • If lightning and/or thunder is detected in the area, the pool deck will be cleared, not closed for 30 minutes and will not reopen until an all clear is issued.  If conditions force two consecutive 30-minute closures, the Aquatics Manager will evaluate the forecasted weather conditions and make the decision as to whether the facility will stay open or be closed.
    Private Swim Lessons

    To register, contact Kelley Radeke, Aquatics Program Coordinator, at 630-978-7226 or email kradeke@fvpd.net.

    Private Swim Lessons

    Four, one-on-one, 30-minute lessons with skilled instructors are available. Instructors may be requested, but availability will vary. Four, semi-private, 30-minute lessons of two or more students of similar ability are available. Please fill out the request form below to get started.

    Riptides Swim Team

    Founded in 2017, the Fox Valley Riptides are a year-round competitive swim team offering high-quality professional coaching and technique instruction for children ages 7 and up. The goal of the Riptides is to provide every member an opportunity to improve swimming skills and achieve success at his or her level of ability, from novice to international competitor. For tryout information, please contact Sara Converse at sconverse@fvpd.net.

    Learn more about the Fox Valley Riptides