pool floaties

Lessons & Clinics

Youth Swim Lessons

Campus Rec offers youth swim lessons for children of all ages to learn the basics of swimming and feel comfortable in the water.

Adult Swim Clinics

Participants receive specialized instruction on swim strokes in a small group setting. Register at Member Services by the registration deadline.


Fall Youth Swim Lessons

Campus Rec offers youth swim lessons for children of all ages to learn the basics of swimming and feel comfortable in the water! To be eligible to register for youth swim lessons, the parent/guardian must have an active membership with Campus Rec. Registration is in person only at the Rec Center.

October 7 - December 2, 2023. No lessons on November 25.

Parent/Preschool 1 Swim (3-5 yrs)

Children between the ages of 3 and 5 years old will be exposed to beginning swimming skills, including floating, blowing bubbles, kicking, and getting in and out of the pool to name a few. This class will also provide safety information for parents (adult caregiver 18yrs+) to help keep their children safe in and around the water during eight 25-minute lessons.

  • Day: Saturday
  • Time: 8:30 a.m. - 8:55 a.m. 
  • Dates: October 7 - December 2. No lessons on November 25.
  • Location: Rec Center Pool, Lanes 1-2
  • Cost: $59
    • Registration Opens: September 20 at 8 a.m.
    • Registration Closes: October 14 at 8:30 a.m.

Preschool 2 Swim (4-5yrs)

Children between the ages of 4 and 5 years old will continue to improve skills learned in Parent (adult caregiver 18yrs+) and Prechooler Level 1 and be exposed to more advanced skills, including kicking on front and back independently, log roll, and using alternating arms and legs to move through the water. This class will also provide safety information for parents to help keep their children safe in and around the water during eight 25-minute lessons.

  • Day: Saturday
  • Time: 9 a.m. - 9:25 a.m.
  • Dates: October 7 - December 2. No lessons on November 25.
  • Location: Rec Center Pool, Lanes 1-2
  • Cost: $59
    • Registration Opens: September 20 at 8 am
    • Registration Closes: October 14 at 9 a.m.

Preschool 3 Swim (4-5yrs)

Children between the ages of 4 and 5 years old will continue to improve skills learned in Preschool Level 2 and be exposed to more advanced skills: drills for freestyle, Dolphin & Breastroke kick, elementary backstroke, treading water, and water safety  during eight 25-minute lessons.

  • Day: Saturday
  • Time: 9:30 a.m. - 9:55 a.m.
  • Dates: October 7 - December 2. No lessons on November 25.
  • Location: Rec Center Pool, Lanes 1-2
  • Cost: $59
    • Registration Opens: September 20 at 8 am
    • Registration Closes: October 14 at 9:30 a.m.

Learn to Swim 1 (6-13yrs)

Level 1 introduces basic aquatic skills, including floating, blowing bubbles, and kicking to name a few. Participants will continue to build on theses skills as they progress through Learn-to-Swim. In addition, participants start developing positive attitudes, effective swimming habits and safe practices in and around the water. Class meets for eight 25-minute lessons.

  • Day: Saturday
  • Time: 10 a.m. - 10:25 a.m.
  • Dates: October 7 - December 2. No lessons on November 25.
  • Location: Rec Center Pool, Lanes 1-2
  • Cost: $59
    • Registration Opens: September 20 at 8 am
    • Registration Closes: October 14 at 10:00 a.m.


Learn to Swim 2 (6-13yrs)

The objective of Learn-to-Swim Level 2 is to give participants success with fundamental skills more independently. This level marks the beginning of true locomotion skills. Participants learn to glide and float without support and recover to a vertical position. Participants further develop simultaneous and alternating arm and leg actions on the front and back, laying the foundation for future strokes. New water safety topics are introduced, and previously acquired water safety knowledge and skills are reinforced. Class meets for eight 25-minute lessons.

  • Day: Saturday
  • Time: 10:30am - 10:55 a.m. 
  • Dates: October 7 - December 2. No lessons on November 25.
  • Location: Rec Center Pool, Lanes 1-2
  • Cost: $59
    • Registration Opens: September 20 at 8 am
    • Registration Closes: October 14 at 10:30 a.m.


Learn to Swim 3 (6-13yrs)

The objectives of Learn-to-Swim Level 3 are to expand proficiency of previously learned skills by providing additional guided practice. Participants learn and practice survival floating and learn to swim front crawl and elementary backstroke at rudimentary proficiency levels. We introduce the dolphin kick and extend the time duration for treading water. As in all levels, new and previously addressed water safety topics are included. Participants who successfully complete Level 3 have achieved basic water competency in a pool environment, and will be ready to enter our Youth Swim Clinic program, level 4. Class meets for eight 25-minute lessons.

  • Day: Saturday
  • Time: 11 a.m. - 11:25 a.m.
  • Dates: October 7 - December 2. No lessons on November 25.
  • Location: Rec Center Pool, Lanes 1-2
  • Cost: $59
    • Registration Opens: September 20 at 8 am
    • Registration Closes: October 14 at 11:00 a.m.

General Information

Wetsuits or rash guards are strongly recommended. The pool is chilly for young children. Wetsuits will allow the child to stay comfortable in the water longer and participate fully in the class.

Children who have not been potty trained for more than 6 months must wear approved swim diapers in the pool.  Approved swim diapers do NOT include "Little Swimmers" or similar diapers.  Plastic pants or reusable swim diapers are acceptable.

Parents and Guardians are required to remain in the facility and are welcomed to watch from the designated viewing areas.

Campus Rec makes every effort to be accessible to all abilities. For accommodations for facilities, activities, and programs please email us at aquatics@pdx.edu.



Adult Swim Clinics

Swim clinics include up to four participants, all of whom are interested in working on a specific aspect of swimming. Participants (14yrs and up) receive specialized instruction on swim strokes in a small group setting.


Adult Swim Clinic 1 (Beginner with no experience)

This class is for participants who want to learn the basics of swimming, but are not completely comfortable in the water. Our instructors will focus on the basic skills, such as floating, gliding, rhythmic breathing and elementary backstroke, but also go into safety topics to help you become comfortable in the water and give you the skills and confidence to take ASC 2. Class meets for eight 25 minute lessons.

  • Day: Monday/Wednesday
  • Time: 1:30 p.m. - 1:55 p.m.
  • Location: Rec Center Pool, Lane 6
  • Cost: $59
  • Session 1: October 2 - October 25
    • Registration Opens: September 20 at 8 a.m.
    • Registration Closes: October 9 at 1:30 p.m.
  • Session 2: November 6 - December 6; no class on 11/20 & 11/22
    • Registration Opens: October 26 at 10:00 a.m.
    • Registration Closes: November 13 at 1:30 p.m.

Adult Swim Clinic 2 (Beginner with some experience)

ASC 2 is designed for participants who are comfortable in the water and want to learn to swim in an efficient, comfortable way. Topics include floating, gliding, kicking, safety topics, elementary backstroke, and the drills and skills for front crawl and backstroke.  Class meets for eight 25 minute lessons.

  • Day: Monday/Wednesday
  • Time: 1:30 p.m. - 1:55 p.m.
  • Location: Rec Center Pool, Lane 6
  • Cost: $59
  • Session 1: October 2 - October 25
    • Registration Opens: September 20 at 8 a.m.
    • Registration Closes: October 9 at 1:30 p.m.
  • Session 2: November 6 - December 6; no class on 11/20 & 11/22
    • Registration Opens: October 26 at 10:00 a.m.
    • Registration Closes: November 13 at 1:30 p.m.

Adult Swim Clinic 3 (Familiar with drills from Adult Swim Clinic 2)

In ASC 3, swimmers who have learned the skills and drills for the front crawl and backstroke in ASC 2 will work on smoothing them into relaxed, efficient strokes.  Wall turns, as well as endurance and speed will also be addressed in this class. Additional strokes (breaststroke & butterfly) will be introduced. Class meets for eight 25 minute lessons.

  • Day: Monday/Wednesday
  • Time: 1 p.m. - 1:25 p.m.
  • Location: Rec Center Pool, Lanes 5-6
  • Cost: $59
  • Session 1: October 2 - October 25
    • Registration Opens: September 20 at 8 a.m.
    • Registration Closes: October 9 at 1 p.m.
  • Session 2: November 6 - December 6; no class on 11/20 & 11/22
    • Registration Opens: October 26 at 10:00 a.m.
    • Registration Closes: November 13 at 1 p.m.