Swim Lessons – Group Indoor

Group Swim Lesson Sessions and Dates

Bismarck Parks and Recreation District offers multiple indoor swim lesson sessions each season. One session generally includes two 30-minute classes per week for five weeks.

Winter Session I: January 12-February 12, 2026

  • Registration opens January 6 at 10:00am

Winter Session II: February 23-March 26, 2026

  • Registration opens February 18 at 10:00am

Spring Session I: April 7-May 7, 2026

  • Registration opens March 31 at 10:00am

Other Sessions

  • Summer Session I: June-July 2026
  • Summer Session II: July-August 2026
  • Fall Session I: September-October 2026
  • Fall Session II: October-November 2026

Location

BSC Aquatic & Wellness Center, 1601 Canary Ave.

Need to Know

  • Lessons are posted online approximately one week prior to registration. View options by selecting the Register button below. All lessons are subject to change.
  • Review class descriptions prior to registration.
  • Be prepared for registration day by reviewing the online registration tips.
  • The last day of each session is generally a fun day.

Registration & Fees

  • $60 per participant per session
  • Register online or in person at BSC AWC or BPRD office, 400 E. Front Ave.

Summer Daycare Swim Lessons

These lessons are specifically designed for daycare centers to enroll their children in classes together. The location, summer session dates, and fees are the same as group lessons outlined above. Contact Jahna by email or call 701-751-4270 for more information and to schedule your group.

Class Descriptions

Preschool Aquatics, Ages 3-5

Throughout the three levels, preschool-age children are taught basic aquatic safety and swimming skills, all the while increasing their comfort level in and around the water. Skills are age-appropriate, helping children achieve success on a regular basis and enjoy social interaction with other children. As in all swimming and water safety courses, your child will always know that it’s safety first.

Preschool A: Orients children to the aquatic environment and helps them gain basic aquatic skills.

Enter and exit water using ramp, steps, or side. Blow bubbles through mouth and nose. Submerge mouth, nose, and eyes. Open eyes underwater and retrieve submerged objects. Front glide and recover to a vertical position. Back glide and recover to a vertical position. Back float. Roll from front to back and back to front. Tread with arm and hand actions. Alternating and simultaneous arm and leg actions on front and back. Combined arm and leg actions on front and back. Age-appropriate water safety topics.

Preschool B: Helps children gain greater independence in their skills and develop more comfort in and around the water.

Enter water by stepping in from a deck or low height. Exit water using ladder, steps, or side. Bobbing. Open eyes underwater and retrieve submerged objects. Front float. Back glide and float and recover to a vertical position. Roll from front to back and back to front. Tread water using arm and leg actions. Combined arm and leg actions on front and back. Finning arm action on back. Age-appropriate water safety topics.

Preschool C: Helps children start to gain basic swimming propulsive skills to be comfortable in and around the water.

Enter water by jumping in. Fully submerge and hold breath. Bobbing. Rotary breathing. Front, jellyfish, and tuck floats. Front and back float or glide and recover to a vertical position. Change direction of travel while swimming on front or back. Tread water using arm and leg actions. Combined arm and leg actions on front and back. Finning arm action on back. Age-appropriate water safety topics.

Learn-to-Swim, Ages 6-Teen

Designed to help participants achieve maximum success, Learn-to-Swim courses are based on a logical, six-level progression that helps swimmers of varying ages and abilities develop their water safety, survival and swim skills.

Level 1: Introduction to Water Skills: Helps participants feel comfortable in the water.

Enter and exit the water using ramp, steps, or side. Blow bubbles through mouth and nose. Bobbing. Open eyes underwater and retrieve submerged objects. Front and back glides and recover to a vertical position. Back float. Roll from front to back and back to front. Tread water using arm and hand actions. Alternating and simultaneous arm and leg actions on front and back. Combined arm and leg actions on front and back. Age-appropriate water safety topics.

Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills: Gives participants success with fundamental skills.

Enter water by stepping or jumping from the side. Exit water using ladder, steps, or side. Fully submerge and hold breath. Bobbing. Open eyes underwater and retrieve submerged objects. Rotary breathing. Front, jellyfish, and tuck floats. Back and front glide and recover to a vertical position. Roll from front to back and back to front. Tread water using arm and leg actions. Change direction of travel while swimming on front or back. Combined arm and leg actions on front and back. Finning arm action. Age-appropriate water safety topics.

Level 3: Stroke Development: Builds on the skills in level 2 through additional guided practice in deeper water.

Enter water by jumping from the side, fully submerge then recover to the surface and return to the side. Headfirst entries from the side in sitting and kneeling positions. Bobbing while moving toward safety. Rotary breathing. Back float. Survival float. Change from vertical to horizontal position on front and back. Tread water. Flutter and dolphin kicks on front. Scissors and breaststroke kicks. Front crawl and elementary backstroke. Age-appropriate water safety topics.

Level 4: Stroke Improvement: Develops confidence in the skills learned and improves other aquatic skills.

Headfirst entries from the side in compact and stride positions. Swim underwater. Feet first surface dive. Survival swimming. Open turns on front and back. Tread water using two different kicks. Front and back crawl, elementary back stroke, breaststroke, sidestroke, and butterfly. Flutter and dolphin kicks on back. Age-appropriate water safety topics.

Level 5: Stroke Refinement: Provides further coordination and refinement of strokes.

Shallow-angle dive from the side then glide and begin a front stroke. Tuck and pike surface dives, submerge completely. Front flip turn and backstroke flip turn while swimming. Front and back crawl, elementary backstroke, breaststroke, sidestroke, and butterfly. Sculling. Age-appropriate water safety topics.

Online Registration Tips

Bismarck Parks and Recreation District uses ActiveNet software for swim lesson registration. BPRD does not own or control the software and therefore cannot change the software. These registration suggestions are made as of October 2025. ActiveNet makes occasional software adjustments, and we will update these registration tips if software changes impact the registration process.

Before Registration Opens

  • Classes are organized by level for online registration. Take time to review levels and class times offered in advance.
  • Create an account or log in to your account if you already have one. 
  • Practice logging in to your account. Remember your login name and password. If you forgot your login name or password, use the Forgot your password? option or call the BPRD office at 701-222-6455.
  • Update contact information for your account, including phone number. Confirm your email is listed on your child’s account so you receive any communication regarding programs for which your child is registered.
  • Pro Tip: Add classes to your Wish List using the Heart icon in advance of registration day. Then register from your Wish List when registration opens.

Day of Registration

  • Sign into your account using the Login button in the website header or the Register button above.
    • If using Login button, hover over Activities in grey menu bar under BPRD logo and select Aquatics.
  • Find the desired class by level. Example: Swim Lessons: Level A
  • Click view sub-activities to view classes. Example: Level A – M & W 5:00pm
  • If there is availability in that class, you will be able to select “Enroll Now” and follow the steps to complete registration with payment.
  • If the class is full, you may choose to be added to the Waiting List. Do NOT select the Heart icon as this is the Wish List, which allows you easily find the class next time you log into your account.
    • To join Waiting List, lick the blue class name. Example: Level A – M & W 5:00pm
    • Click the +Waiting List button on the right side under the fee and complete the steps.

We’re Hiring!

Swim Instructors and Lifeguards