The YMCA is America's favorite swimming instructor and has remained so for over 120 years.
The Somerset Hills YMCA believes every child should have the opportunity to learn to swim for reasons of safety, fitness, building a positive self image and developing a lifelong interest in aquatics. We are committed to offering the children in our YMCA Swim Lessons a quality program that teaches swimming and water safety skills in a student-centered, caring atmosphere. Our lessons are developmentally appropriate and designed to teach skills quickly and effectively with safety as a high priority.
Our PARENT-CHILD SWIM PROGRAMS begin for children 6 months and older. All of our aquatics programs follow the YMCA Aquatic guidelines and the American Academy of Pediatrics aquatics guidelines for children under the age of 3. Our Parent-Child swim program begins with readiness activities for children age 6 to 36 months. Our Perch parent/child program is designed to prepare toddlers for our Pre School program which begins at the age of 3 years. Our Silly Seals for 2 ½ to 3 ½ year olds is geared for children who are ready for focused skill development but not quite ready to be in a class without their parent. The curriculum focuses on Pike and Eel skills and the instructor guides the parent in teaching these fundamentals to their child.
Our Stoddard Family Recreational Pool has a special area just for the younger children to play with water toys, a “kiddie slide” and a zero-entry area into the pool that helps the children feel comfortable in the water. On school days, this pool is open for parents with young children to use the water play area from noon to 3:30 pm, with expanded hours on the weekend and during the summer months. On Fridays during the school year, from 4 – 6 pm, the entire group of water features and slides for all ages are open especially for our Family Full Privilege Members.
Throughout the year, we hold special Family events and theme weeks in our pools and end the June class session with a Family Water Carnival and “Dive In Movie”.
For more information on aquatics program offerings at the Somerset Hills YMCA, please contact Steve Honoshowsky, Associate Dir. Aquatics Programs, at 908-630-3513 or email
The YMCA is America's favorite swimming instructor and has remained so for over 120 years.
