Swimming

Swimming is not a separate program. All campers are required to get in the water during swim time. We feel that swimming is an important life skill. We use both the Barnard pool and an outdoor pool in Riverdale, NY. While both Upper and Lower Camp use both the Upper Camp only swim at Barnard for Session 1 and otherwise tends to swim at Riverdale while the Lower Camp mostly swims at Barnard. The Lower Camp also goes to Lake Welch located at Harrimon State Park once a week.

Swim time at Camp is divided into both instructional swim and free swim. During instructional swim, counselors and lifeguards work along with the campers to further develope both their comfort and skill in the water. Campers are never made to do anything they do not want to. Having said that all campers are required to be in the water. 

While forty Head Counselors and Supervisory staff are certified in RTE (Responding to Emergencies) and CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), we still employ at least twenty-two trained lifeguards, whose training includes First Aid and CPR. We also use the Lifeguards at Riverdale and Lake Welch. Sixteen members of our staff are WSI's (Water Safety Instructors) As a testiment to our program, many of our Aquatics Staff are former campers. 

The camp provides swim caps for each camper and they are required to be worn by everyone who enters the pool.  Caps are worn for safety recognition and the different colors allow the lifeguards to identify which end of the pool it is safe for each camper. Lifeguards and swim instructors are easily recognizaable as each of them wear a red swim cap.

As mandated by the Board of Health, we conduct a buddy check every fifteen minutes. Each camper is assigned another camper at their same swim level. They keep track of and stay with one another for the duration of the swim class and period. When buddy check is called by the Aquatic Director each buddy couple holds there hands on the edge of the pool or standing in the water at the lake. Once a count has been completed by the Aquatics Director swimming can resume.

Our extensive After Camp Swim program takes place at the Barnard pool. Group and private lessions are available.