City of Syracuse Opens Swim Lesson Sign-Ups

Published on June 26, 2025

The City of Syracuse Department of Parks & Recreation announced it will open Session I swim lesson registration on Thursday, June 26 at 4:00 p.m. for city residents, and on Friday, June 27 at 4:00 p.m. for non-city residents. There will be three sessions offered this summer. Session I will be held at Burnet, Onondaga and Thornden Pools. This session will run from June 30 to July 11. Swimming lessons are 30 minutes between 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Registration for Session II will open on Thursday, July 10 at 4:00 p.m. for city residents, and on Friday, July 11 at 4:00 p.m. for non-city residents. Session II will run from July 14 to July 25.

Registration for Session III will open on Thursday, July 24 at 4:00 p.m. for city residents, and on Friday, July 25 at 4:00 p.m. for non-city residents. This final session will take place from July 28 to August 8.

In addition to Burnet, Onondaga and Thornden Pools, Schiller Pool will be included for Sessions II and III. At all three sessions, five levels are available ranging from a minimum of ages 3 to 8.

Class-level requirements are a combination of both minimum age and swimming ability.

• Seahorse: 3 to 5 years of age; no swimming experience
• Goldfish: Minimum of 5 years old; no swimming experience
• Bullfrogs: Minimum 6 years old; able to float on front and back, kick 15 feet on front and back
• Blue Whales: Minimum 7 years old; able to swim 30 feet on front and back
• Starfish: Minimum 8 years old; able to swim 45 feet on front and back and perform the elementary backstroke.

To learn more and register, visit goto.syr.gov/swimlessons. Swim team registration is also open. The program returns this summer, with teams forming at the following pools: Burnet, Onondaga, Thornden, and Schiller.