Month of August Teacher & School Staff Appreciation Month No Joining Fee and 3rd Mont
H2O Cardio
Free Class for Y Members and $5 for Non-Members
FREE Classes for Y Members
- Level: All
- Pop in class - no registration required!
An Average Class
Class will take place in heated indoor pool in shallow water. Our well heated pool is great for a low cardio impact workout. The instructor leads participation through cardio movements such as walking, jogging, kicking, cross-country ski movements, arm workouts, & core strength.
This is perfect for individuals with arthritis and joint pain. An ideal way to meet people, make new friends, meet up with people you have not seen since high school days and socialize before and after your workout.
Equipment Needed
- The Y provides all equipment for this class and will be told what to grab on your way in!
Attire and What to Bring
- Come to class dressed and ready for the pool.
- Proper swim attire is required (swim suit), no basketball shorts, street clothes, etc.
- Water Shoes (encouraged but not required)
- Towel and a water bottle
Being Safe Around the Water
Discover the World with VWYMCA!
Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental injury and death among youth. Swim lessons help your children learn the basic skills of swimming and teaches your children simple safety skills to help prevent drownings.
Swimming is something you can do at any age, this is a skill that will last a lifetime, and you can always improve your skill.
Swim lessons can lead to other new adventures:
- Going to the lake with friends and family
- Go to summer camp where there is swimming
- A new exercise
No Parents are allowed on the pool deck during class time. On the final week of lessons, your family may observe the swim class on the pool deck. You are welcome to observe from our Pool Balcony.
Types of Swim Lessons
Parent Tot
Parent Tot
Parent Tot
This class is to introduce children to the water with singing games, walking in the water and basic aquatic movements.
Class will be once a week for 6 weeks.
Pike
Parent Tot
Parent Tot
This class is an introduction to little swim diggers, learning to blow bubbles, kick their feet, float on their back & put lips, chin, nose, and eyes in the water and eventually their whole face.
Class will be once a week for 6 weeks.
Eel
Parent Tot
Polliwog
Be able to: float on back with little help, put face in water, can kick and fin on their back with little help and swim front crawl by themselves.
Learn to: Swim front crawl 5 to 6 feet with little help, kick on front with kick board the width of the pool and jump into water by themselves.
Class will be once a week for 6 weeks.
Polliwog
Advanced Polliwog
Polliwog
Be able to: This class is an introduction to swimming with big arms, learning to blow bubbles, kick their feet, float on their back & put lips, chin, nose, and eyes in the water and eventually their whole face.
Learn to: Use a kick board, kick & fin on their front and back, swimming with little to no help.
Class will be once a week for 6 weeks.
Ray
Advanced Polliwog
Advanced Polliwog
Be able to: Float on their back, swim the front crawl, and kick with kick board.
Learn to: Introduce rotary breathing, kick on front and back with kick board the length of the pool, swimming the length of the pool with some help, introduce the back stroke & little bit of elementary back strong, jump of the diving board with help.
Class will be once a week for 6 weeks.
Advanced Polliwog
Advanced Polliwog
Advanced Polliwog
Be able to: Must have passed Ray class, can swim front crawl, back stroke the width of the pool with little help, jump into deep water with assistance.
Learn to: Swim front crawl with rotary breathing, deep water bobs hanging on to the side of the pool, kicking with kick boards on front and back the length of pool with little help, be able to jump off the diving board and swim to the side with little help, swimming elementary back stroke with noodle the width of the pool.
Class will be once a week for 6 weeks.
Our Vision
We are on a mission to revolutionize the way people live, work, and play. Our vision is to create a world where everyone has access to innovative products and services that enhance their lives.
Lifeguard Information
Build a Lifetime Skill. Become a Lifeguard
Looking for a great summer job or being a professional lifeguard at the Van Wert YMCA? Our comprehensive American Red Cross lifeguard training course includes: accident prevention, lifeguard techniques, emergency action plan, rescue skills, CPR for the professional rescuer, AED and First Aid with a year two certification.
Lifeguard Training typically begins in the Spring.
Training Prerequisites:
- Must be 15 years of age at the end of our class date.
- Swim 150 meters or 6 lengths of the pool (freestyle / front crawl and breaststroke) going right into treading water, with no hands for 2 minutes, right into swimming 2 more lengths of the pool.
- Dive down to 10ft pick up a 15lb brick, then swim to the shallow end with brick on your stomach or chest.
All Participants will swim with no stopping at each end of the pool & with your face in the water!
This lifeguard class will be offered as an online blended learning with in-person skills and test verification!
Looking for a place to host your child's next birthday party
Bounce House
Options:
1.) One hour of bounce house (party room included) and one hour in the pool!
2.) Two hours of bounce house
Party in the Pool
Options:
1) One hour of swimming with one hour of the party room
2) Two hours of swimming.
*Disclaimer*
Swimming parties have a max of 25 swimmers. If there are more than 25 swimmers, we will add a fee of $30.00 for additional staffing
Meet Aquatics Director Martha
About Me:
Meet Martha Martin — A Lifelong Champion of the YMCA Community
For the past 16 years, Martha Martin has been a cornerstone of the YMCA of Van Wert County, serving as our Aquatics Director and becoming so much more than a leader within the department. She has been the heart and soul of our YMCA family, bringing compassion, dedication, and a genuine love for serving others into everything she does.
Martha’s passion for water safety and helping others has touched countless lives. Through swim lessons, she has helped children and adults build confidence, learn essential life-saving skills, and develop a lifelong appreciation for the water. She has also created countless memorable experiences for families through her thoughtful planning and coordination of birthday parties and special events.
While aquatics has been Martha’s home, her impact extends far beyond the pool. She has supported the Van Wert Marlins swim team, assisted with Camp Clay, organized youth dances, and stepped in wherever there was a need. Her willingness to help, positive energy, and ability to bring people together have made her an invaluable part of every area of the YMCA.
Martha’s kindness, generosity, and dedication have made her a mentor, a friend, and a source of encouragement for staff, members, and families alike. She has been a guiding presence across all departments — someone who truly embodies the mission and values of the YMCA.
One of Martha’s greatest joys has been witnessing the long-term impact of her work. Seeing children, she once taught to swim grow into confident young adults and return as lifeguards has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Watching those full-circle moments is a reminder of the lasting influence one person can have on a community.
As Martha returns home to help out, we are grateful for the years of service, love, and dedication she has poured into our YMCA. Her legacy will continue to make waves for generations to come.