Aqua Explorers

Aqua Explorers is a child and parent/caregiver swim group introducing children to a structured swim class.

The Recreation Therapist will support you and your child as we introduce and practice foundational swim skills, comfort in the water, and pool safety habits. We will provide parent/caregiver coaching and model skills that may include: asking permission before entering the water, entering and exiting the water safely, following a structured lesson, responding to instructor cues, holding onto the side and a floating object.

Parents will learn about other TVCC and community-based swimming opportunities. This group is ideal for children who have had limited experience in structured swimming lessons. This is a Therapeutic Recreation functional intervention group that focuses on the following goals:

- Increase water comfort, regulation, and confidence within a pool environment.

- Develop participation in structured swim routines, including transitions and response to instructor cues.

- Promote early swim skills and water safety habits.

For this swim program, parents/caregivers MUST accompany their child in the water and pool deck/change rooms and be within arms reach at all times, even if they are wearing a floatation device. Parents/caregivers must be comfortable moving through chest-deep water (1.2m), understand how to be safe in the pool, follow direction from the instructor, and be able to respond to the needs of their child. If this does not describe the parent/caregiver's comfort in water, please contact tr@tvcc.on.ca for alternate programs.

About the TVCC Therapeutic Pool:

- The TVCC pool is 6.4m/21ft long, with a shallow end of 0.79m/2.5ft, and a deep end of 1.2m/4ft.

- The pool is 34C/93F.

- Little Swimmers or a waterproof swim diaper/cover (no diapers!) are required for anyone unable to hold their bladder/bowel.

- There are no food/drinks allowed in the pool area, pool change rooms, or pool washrooms.