Next session update

After much thinking, prayer and advice gathering, I have made the very difficult decision of not having a fall session for swimming.

There are definitely the people to fill a session, but since nothing has been formalized, I thought this is the best decision.

While I love to do this, I have many responsibilities not only to my family, but to myself as well, and many things are getting neglected with the pressure of having lessons. If we had a light summer, then it wouldn't be a big deal, but I started planning and organizing for lessons in March, and am just now getting over the final session.

I will still post on things you can do to help your children begin to swim, as well as developments on future lessons.

Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you so much for your understanding.

Business as Usual

I first would like to apologize for neglecting (again) posting here. I have no real reason, but some of my excuses include VBS at our church, an upcoming family wedding for which I am doing the cake, and just plain old business.

OK. I realized that most places of business have hours. This is nice so you can know when to expect someone to answer the phone, when you can stop by, etc.

I have no such hours.

However, I thought I would let you know when you would be most likely to get a hold of me, and when you would definitely not. That being said, I do always check my messages, and try to return calls within 3-4 days at the most.

I do as much as I can to not work on Sundays. Yes, we can debate the actual 7th day of the week, the day of rest, blah, blah, blah. However, Sundays we go to church as a family, and it is the one day I count on my husband not being at work for any length of time. I started working when I was 17. From the beginning, I have not worked Sundays. I know I have missed out on employment because of this. I do not mind. I believe that my decision has been honored and I have been blessed for it.

So, enough of that.

My children usually nap (ha.ha.) around 1-3, so it is easier for me to answer my phone, then, or to return calls during that time.

I try very hard not to call people after 9pm, so there is a good chance I will not answer the phone after that hour.

I do not guard regularly at the pool, so I cannot give you a time you can find me there, unless it is during the hours of lessons.

I hope this has helped a little bit. I will try to get a page done on 'business hours' and have it posted to the right so you can easily find in the future. But for now....

What you can do...

If you are anything like me, you will try to figure out a way to do something for yourself, before paying somebody else to do it. I do a lot of homemade items, such as household cleaner, body scrub, bread. Not all at the same time, but I can save a good chunk of change when I want to.

I was thinking about swimming. I am incredibly blessed that I have a daughter who LOVES to swim. Teaching her has been such a joy. She will soak up anything I tell her (in regards to swimming), and just take off. I cannot describe the peace I feel knowing that I do not have to worry about her around water. Which is not to say I let her swim alone, but I don't need to watch her every second like a hawk.

This little freedom allows me to focus on my son. He is not a water bug like his sister. He loves to swim, but he needs to either be able to touch, or hold onto an adult. And splashing is a huge offense. It will not be a walk in the park to teach him, but it will be a challenge.

Why am I telling you all of this? Because I think that a good deal of parents can teach their children how to swim. Maybe not at an Olympic training level, but a basic survival/able to have fun in the water level.

I have decided to try to pass along some of the tips and techniques I use for my private lessons, as well as my own children.

Please let me know if you have specific questions, and if you are finding any of my posts helpful. Feedback my not always be fun, but I am sure it can be helpful most of the time.

July is Here

I have been neglecting posts here for a while. I had a migraine get the better of me two days in a row, then I am trying to prepare for a wedding shower this weekend, and the wedding only a few weeks from now!

So, as of right now, there are NO more beginner spots. There are only a FEW intermediate places, and several advanced openings.

There is one week left until registration is closed. JULY 10 is the last day.

I will get to some comments/suggestions from this previous session in a day or two. Until then, enjoy your summer and have a great holiday weekend!

July Session Update II

Well, July is almost full. I am surprised, but also very happy.

While our beginner classes are full, we still have some intermediate & advanced spaces. Please call or e-mail if you are interested.

Once final calls have been made, if there are any spots opened up, I will post it here. If you are interested in possible open beginner spots, please let me know.

I will be starting tomorrow (hopefully) the comments/suggestions from this group of lessons. Please check back to see if any of your questions are addressed, or if you may have any further suggestions.

July Session Update

We are still a couple of weeks to closing registration for the July session, and it is almost full.

I believe there are still one or two beginner spots open, a few intermediate spaces, and several advanced places open.

I am thinking about doing a two week session sometime in October. Only 3 days a week or two weeks. That or 4 days a week for two weeks, but then the price would go up. Do you have any thoughts on the matter? If so, voice them now!

July Spots Update

I am very pleased (as well as a little surprised!) that our July spots are filling up very nicely.

I have already closed several classes - since they are full - and will probably have to close a few more over the next few days.

The beginner classes are the ones that are very close to being completely full. There are still a few intermediate & advanced spaces open in each class time.

If you are interested in signing up, or have questions, please call or e-mail me. Once we are full, we are full!

Post-Lesson Questions/ Comments; pt. 7

*Previously addressed issues can be seen at the bottom of this post*

It seems as though I have covered the less than satisfactory comments. I hope that I was able to help you understand a little bit of how things go on the other side.

Since I have taken the time to go over the more negative comments, I thought that it would be helpful - a fair to us - to tell you some of the positive comments we have received.

We had many people say that the cost was fair, a good deal, and reasonable. While the cost will probably go up in sessions after this summer, we will still try to keep it as low as possible. Whatever the increase, we will make sure that it will be helpful in improving our lessons.

People have said they like the location of our lessons (Beech Grove), and that the evening times are very helpful. Out of the tons of people I have talked with in the last 4 months, only ONE said that evening times was the only reason they could not participate. I think that's pretty good since I have talked with a lot of folks!

Parents also liked that their children were given time to get adjusted to the water (beginner class), and they also like that their kids like it.

As adults, we tend to focus on getting to work, and working until a job is done. If you have children, you know that this is often times radically different from how they operate!

A little playtime here & there during lessons will not only give them a chance to enjoy what they are doing, but it will also let them get more comfortable in the water & with their instructor. If kids aren't comfortable and they have a teacher who is ALL business, they will not want to learn, not enjoy themselves, and no one is happy at the end of the day.


1) Same gender instructors
2) Lifeguard attention
3) Out of water time
4) Skill progression
5) Not enough activity
6) Punctuality

July Session Change

Due to the response to the July session, the earlier time on Wednesday/Friday/Saturday will NOT be offered.

The Monday/Tuesday/Thursday time and the later times for Wednesday/Friday/Saturday are still open and there are still spots available.

The July session is as follows:

Monday/Tuesday/Thursday; 4:30-5:15
Wednesday;6-6:45/Friday;5:15-6/Saturday;10:30-11:15

June Session 'Closed'

Not closed as is in not happening, just closed to registration. However, there are still many spots open in July - in the Monday, Tuesday, Thursday time and both options for Wednesday, Friday, Saturday.

Spaces can be held, but not guaranteed until you have paid.

All money is due before the start of the session.

If you are interested in the July session, or have any questions, please call or e-mail me.

June Spaces Filling Up

The Monday/Tuesday classes in June only have ADVANCED spots available.

As of right now, there are still open spots for all levels in each of the Wednesday/Friday times.

Please call or e-mail me with any questions or if you'd like to register.

Session II

We have one week left in the May session, and so far it is going well. I am hoping & praying that we will have wonderful results and very pleased parents.

The June session is quickly approaching. We do still have some open spaces. If you wish to sign up, please let me know and I can hold your spot. Although, it won't be guaranteed until the fee is paid, and that is due before the start of the session - June 7th.

Below is what is now available. I will be informing my parents in this session of these spots as well, and it is first come, first served. You can call me at the number to the right, or send me an e-mail.

JUNE 7-25
Monday/Tuesday(4:30-5:15): Approximately 7 beginner spots, 5 intermediate spots, and 5 advanced spots

Wednesday/Friday(5:10-5:55/4:30-5:15): Approximately 7 beginner spots, 10 intermediate spots, 5 advanced spots

Wednesday/Friday(6-6:45/5:15-6): Approximately 7 beginner spots, 5 intermediate spots, 3 advanced spots

Sessions Open

As stated earlier, the May session is full. However, June & July are still open for registration.

As of right now, each time has openings for each skill level in both sessions. I will keep you informed when they fill up and then closed for registration.

I was thinking of next year, and the possibility of offering an "early bird" fee for lessons. Then after the set registration dates, the amount would go up a few dollars. Then if we were in the month of the session the person wants, then the cost would be an extra $5.

Aside from the fact that we are a self-sustaining structure, there is a lot of unseen work that goes into late and last minute sign ups. It may not seem like much, and as a parent I know it sounds like a lot of money to shell out just because of a simple date, but there is much that needs doing, and it is a job.

Do you have any thoughts? Any suggestions on how we can raise money? Any ideas to make lessons more profitable for all?

Open Spots

We still have some spaces available for swim lessons. Please contact me if you are interested in signing up.

While I can't guarantee your spot until I have the money, I can hold the and arrange a way to meet you for payment.

I need to lay out my full classes, but I do believe that I have openings in every session.

Again, you can either e-mail me or call the number to the right. You could also leave a comment here, but I would get an e-mail or phone call faster than a comment.

Tonight

Tonight is the last registration for swim lessons. I will let you know if there are still spots open come tomorrow.

The Benedict Inn is located at 13th & Southern Ave. in Beech Grove - just past St. Francis Beech Grove. We will be in the front lobby.

Lesson Sign Ups

Don't forget swim lesson sign ups at the Benedict Inn this Saturday from 9-1. If you aren't able to make it, there will be a second time on Thursday the 22nd from 5-8pm at the Benedict Inn as well.

Hope to see you there!

Contact Info

Please note the PHONE number CHANGE. My new number is 358-7286.

Registration

As you can see, we have dates for lessons and registration. We are really hoping this all goes well, then maybe next summer we can get a little bit better time slot, with more time to offer.

REGISTRATION - Saturday, April 17th, 9-1 and Thursday, April 22nd, 5-8 and the Benedict Inn (in Beech Grove at 13th & Southern Ave.)

COST - $43 per child

LESSON DATES - May 10-21, June 7-26, July 19-31

While we are sending flyers home with Beech Grove students, we will not be sending them home with Franklin Twp students. Franklin Township students are more then welcome to sign up, but I am afraid that we would be OVER-advertising lessons, with not enough time or room for the possible response.

I do know that Franklin Twp is not hosting swim lessons this summer, and those who do ask may be referred to us, which is great! I just don't want to have to turn people away. However, there is always the possibility of fall/winter lessons, as well as Saturday classes - as long as there is enough interest.

Thoughts? Comments? Questions? *Please leave a comment or e-mail me and I will get back with you ASAP!

News. Finally!

Here is what we have come up with. As soon as we clear everything with the proper "authorities" we will have sign up days & times, and put up signs, have flyers, etc.

A two week session in May, and a three week session in June. Depending on interest, we will offer another two week session near the end of July.

Each session will consist of three days each week. We realize this is a bit different. With no more than 5 students per class, we are confident it will work well.

Did I mention there will be a MAXIMUM of ONLY 5 students in each class? In the advanced class we may go as high up as 7 or 8 students, but at that age & skill level, it's easier to accommodate a larger group per instructor.

I will get you more information as it comes and I hope you are able to come out and learn to swim with us!

Helpful information... hopefully

So we finally have an idea on dates & times & cost for swim lessons. While we are waiting for the final OK on it all, I will try to clue you in on some of the major plans we have made.

We are going to try for a pre-summer swim program. Just a small class or two, two weeks, near the middle of May. We will then have the 'big' lessons in June, and they will more than likely be three days a week, for three weeks. After that, depending on interest, we may then host another smaller program towards the end of summer in late July.

I won't name a price until all is set. I am praying that everything is concrete (as can be) be tomorrow, and then we can start advertising, have a sign-up date, prices, ages, etc. I will definitely be keeping you posted.

As always, please feel free to share your thoughts, comments, opinions & questions!