Swimming Program

The Headfirst swimming program is an integral and fun part of Headfirst Camps at our locations with swimming pools. Multi-sport and Discovery campers enjoy daily free swim, which gives them time to have fun, cool off and play in the pool under the direct supervision of our trained lifeguards and aquatics staff.

Please read below for more information on the Headfirst Swimming Program:

The Headfirst Camps Swim Program is centered on safety, instruction, and fun. Under the constant supervision of certified water safety instructors and lifeguards, campers will learn swimming and safety skills they can use for the entire summer and the rest of their lives.

• Swim Program Goals
• The Headfirst Approach
• Mandatory Swim Test
• Important Notes

Swim Program Goals

• SAFETY: maintain safety & uphold the pool rules at all times.
• DEVELOP: help campers develop and improve their swim skills in a relaxed, non-pressured environment.
• FUN & CONFIDENCE: building confidence while encouraging campers to try new skills. When we accomplish this goal, swimming becomes more and more fun!

The Headfirst Approach

• The pool is always staffed with an abundance of alert lifeguards and water safety instructors.
• All campers, regardless of experience, are swim-tested at Headfirst Camps.
• Each one of our instructors is a teacher and friend to all of the campers in the swimming pool. {back to top}

Mandatory Swim Test

Headfirst tests campers for two reasons:

The mandatory swim test determines which campers can safely swim in the pool without a flotation device during free swim.

On the first day of camp Headfirst Camps swim-tests each camper who wants to participate in swimming. Once a camper passes our swim test they are no longer be required to take the test again that summer.

If a camper does not pass the swim test or opts out of the test, school facility/pool rules state he or she must either 1) not swim that day or 2) swim with a flotation device.

Campers who do not pass or opt out of the swim test always have the opportunity to take the test again on the following day. {back to top}

Important Notes

• Locations with a pool include St. Albans in DC and Mater Dei in Bethesda, Maryland. Saint Luke in McLean, Virginia does not have a pool, so campers enjoy water play and water slides instead.
• Swimming is not mandatory. Parents and campers can opt out of swimming or water play any and all days if they desire. Headfirst always offers campers an alternative activity during pool time. {back to top}

• Mater Dei, Bethesda MD
• St. Albans School & National Cathedral School, Washington DC
• Saint Luke, McLean VA