Free swimming classes being offered in Boston, Fall River, Springfield, Worcester, throughout the state

Boston — As part of its efforts to enhance water safety at the state’s pools and beaches this summer, the Healey-Driscoll Administration opened registration for the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Learn to Swim program that provides free swimming lessons to children at DCR pools in communities across Massachusetts.

“Swimming is an important life skill, and every Massachusetts resident should have access to swim lessons regardless of financial ability,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Every year, the Learn to Swim program provides an opportunity for hundreds of kids to learn to swim across Massachusetts.”

“As a former lifeguard, I know that programs like Learn to Swim help save lives by providing basic swim skills to children at a young age,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “The Learn to Swim program is a critical tool to ensuring that our state-run beaches and pools provide safe recreational opportunities for our families.”

Registration for the Learn to Swim program, which provides free swim lessons to children ages four to 12, opened June 30 at 7 a.m. This year, the program will provide 30-minute group swim lessons at 17 agency pools across the state for three two-week sessions in July and August. The lessons will run during the week, in the mornings before the agency-managed pools open to the public. Additionally, the Lowell Police Department, in partnership with DCR, the Sean A. Collier Memorial Foundation, and the Lowell Recreation Department will provide free swimming lessons at DCR’s Raymond Lord Memorial Swimming Pool to children from Lowell who are between the ages of 6-16. For more information on dates for that program, contact lpdyouthservices@lowellma.gov.

“Beaches and pools provide residents and visitors opportunities to escape the summer’s rising temperatures caused by the climate crisis,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “As a matter of equity, it’s critical that all young people have access to swim lessons so they can safely cool off and enjoy our many beaches and pools in the hot summer months.”

“Every year, through the Learn to Swim program, DCR teaches hundreds of children in cities and towns throughout Massachusetts how to swim,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “DCR is committed to making our beaches and pools as safe as possible and ensuring that children can swim is a critical part of that effort.”

DCR’s annual Learn to Swim classes are designed for beginner-level swimmers with a focus on water safety and learning basic swimming skills. Registration will close once classes, by facility, are full. Registration is mandatory, must be done online, and is done on a first come, first serve basis. The schedule for this year’s Learn to Swim program is:

Session 1: July 10, 2023 – July 21, 2023 (registration began on Friday, June 30, 2023, at 7:00 a.m.);
Session 2: July 24, 2023 – August 4, 2023 (registration begins on Monday, July 10, 2023, at 7:00 a.m.); and,
Session 3: August 7, 2023 – August 18, 2023 (registration begins on Monday, July 24, 2023, at 7:00 a.m.).

Free swim lessons will be offered at the following pools:

Gerald J. Mason Memorial Pool
Agawam

Martin L. Olsen Memorial Pool
Hyde Park

Reilly Memorial Pool
Brighton

Lt. Colonel Edward J. Higgins Pool
Lawrence

Melnea A. Cass Memorial Pool
Boston

P. Eugene Casey Memorial Pool
Milford

McCrehan Memorial Pool
Cambridge

Latta Brothers Memorial Pool
Somerville

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Pool
Chelsea

John H. Thomas Memorial Swimming Pool
Springfield

Sara Jane Sherman Memorial Pool
Chicopee

Connors Memorial Pool
Waltham

Philip J. Weihn Memorial Pool
Clinton

Dealtry Memorial Pool
Watertown

Veteran’s Memorial Swimming Pool
Fall River

Dennis F. Shine Memorial Pool Note: Classes are offered 1 hour earlier at the Vernon Hills pool.
Worcester

Gustave Johnson Memorial Pool
Fitchburg

Raymond Lord Memorial Swimming Pool
Note: This program is being run in collaboration with the Lowell Police Department Youth Services Program, Sean A. Collier Memorial Foundation, and Lowell Recreation Department. For more information contact LPD Youth Services lpdyouthservices@lowellma.gov.

To fill out a Learn to Swim application, click here.