Aquatics

• Lane availability is subject to change. UD Campus Recreation members will be notified by email and signage in the facility.
• Two lanes will always be available for open swim during regular Aquatic Center hours, unless the space is closed entirely for an event.
• Private swim lessons are subject to take place during open swim times.
• High school swim teams season typically runs from November to February each year.

We offer some of the most competitive swim lesson prices in the Dayton area! 

Group

• Member Price: $55 (Four 45 minute lessons)
• Non-Member Price: $75 (Four 45 minute lessons)

Private

• Member Price: $105 (Four 30 minute lessons)
• Non-Member Price: $125 (Four 30 minute lessons)

Parking

A permit is required to park in UD lots prior to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays.

UD Campus Recreation sells 30-day parking permits to S2 and C for $30. More than one permit may be needed per session. No permit is needed for visitor spots in C Lot after 7:30 p.m. on weekdays or weekends. Permits purchased through UD Campus Recreation will be available on the first day of the registered session.

Minors

In your child's best interest, the University of Dayton has established a minors policy.

UD Campus Recreation minor age restrictions apply to any person 17 and younger who is not enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, as a University of Dayton student.  Minors brought to UD Campus Recreation facilities by a member, employee, student or visitor are the sole responsibility of that person. The person bringing the minor to UD Campus Recreation facilities is responsible for abiding by policies and procedures, all aspects of the minor’s behavior, and the minor’s safety, and is financially responsible for damages caused by the minor. 

Age: 16-17 years old
Restriction: Must be supervised by a parent or guardian who remains in the facility at all times. Only minors 16 and older may use the fitness center and tack.

Age: 6-15 years old
Restriction: Must be supervised by a parent or guardian who remains in the same area and within sight at all times.

Age: 5 years old and younger
Restriction: Must be supervised by a parent or guardian who remains within reaching distance at all times.  If using the pool area, the parent or guardian must remain in direct contact with the child at all times.

Locker Rooms

Children 14 years of age and younger must be escorted or supervised by an authorized adult (parent or guardian) at all times while inside the locker rooms. Children 3 years of age and younger may accompany their parent or guardian in the locker room of the opposite sex. However, members are strongly encouraged to use the family changing area located near the south end of the locker rooms.

Make-Up Policy

*Suggested ages are listed for guidance in selecting the right level. Everyone learns swimming skills and techniques at different speeds. If you have questions regarding the appropriate level for you/your child, contact udcrswimlessons@udayton.edu or 937-229-2711.

Level 1: Beginner (Introduction to Water Skills)

Target Audience: Participants with little to no swimming experience.
Ages: 3-5 (not a restriction)
Goal: Help participants feel comfortable and safe in the water.

Skills Taught

• Water acclimation: Submerging face, blowing bubbles, and holding breath.
• Learning to float: Front and back floats with assistance.
• Water safety: Entering and exiting the water safely, basic pool rules.
• Kicking: Learning how to kick using a kick board and using a barbell to incorporate kicking and scooping with hands

Readiness to Progress

• Comfortable putting face in water.
• Can float on front and back with minimal assistance.
• Can kick with a kick board and barbell.

Level 2: Intermediate (Fundamental Water Skills)

Target Audience: Participants who are comfortable in the water but need basic skill development.
Ages: 5-7 (not a restriction)
Goal: Build confidence in fundamental swimming and floating techniques.

Skills Taught

• Independent front and back floats for 10-30 seconds.
• Gliding unassisted for short distances (5 feet) on front and back.
• Introduction to freestyle and backstroke arm movements.
• Kicking techniques: Flutter kick on front and back using a kickboard
• Beginner underwater exploration: Retrieving objects.
• Safety skills: Treading water with assistance

Readiness to Progress

• Floats and glides independently.
• Demonstrates coordinated arm and leg movements for short distances.
• Comfortable submerging fully and retrieving objects.

Level 3: Proficient (Stroke Introduction)

Target Audience: Participants who can swim short distances and are ready to learn formal strokes.
Ages: 6-13 (not a restriction)
Goal: Introduce stroke techniques while building stamina.

Skills Taught

• Freestyle (front crawl) with side breathing
• Backstroke with proper arm and leg coordination.
• Elementary backstroke introduction.
• Dolphin kick introduction for butterfly.
• Treading water for 30–60 seconds.
• Diving into deep water.

Readiness to Progress

• Swims freestyle and backstroke for 25 yards with minimal stopping.
• Tread water confidently for 60 seconds.

Level 4: Advanced (Stroke Refinement)

Target Audience: Participants ready to refine strokes and build endurance for longer distances.
Ages: 8-13 (not a restriction)
Goal: Perfect swimming techniques and prepare for competitive or fitness swimming.

Skills Taught

• Refinement of freestyle and backstroke
• Introduction to breaststroke and butterfly (basic form).
• Flip turns and open turns for freestyle and backstroke.
• Endurance building: Swimming continuous laps.

Indicators of Completion

• Swims all strokes (freestyle, backstroke, elementary backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly)
• Demonstrates flip turns, dives, and extended treading water.
• Shows consistent stamina and confidence in deep water.

At the start of any lifeguarding certification, participants are required to pass American Red Cross lifeguarding prerequisites. Participants who do not successfully complete these will not be permitted to remain in the class; there will be no refunds.

American Red Cross Lifeguarding prerequisites

• Swim 300 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. Candidates can swim using the front crawl (freestyle), breaststroke, or a combination, but swimming on the back or side is not allowed. You may use swim goggles.
• Tread water for two minutes using only legs. Candidates should place their hands under the armpits.
• Complete the following activities within 1 minute and 40 seconds, without swim goggles:
  • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. The face may be in or out of the water.
  • Surface dive, feet-first or head-first, to retrieve a 10-pound object. 
  • Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface so they are about to get a breath. Candidates should not swim the distance under water. 
  • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Online Learning Portal

After registration, participants will receive a link to the online portal via a confirmation email. Roughly eight hours of online modules must be completed prior to the first day of class. Progress can be stopped and saved as needed. Those who fail to provide verification of completion of the online modules will not be permitted to continue with the lifeguarding course. No refund will be provided.

Video Demonstrations

Video segments are shown in the online learning and in-person skill sessions and are designed to convey key concepts and provide uniformly consistent explanations and demonstration of skills.

In-Person Classroom and Skill Sessions

The in-person sessions span three days, typically over a weekend. Dates and times will be listed upon registration.

Lifeguard Certification

After completing the online modules and in-water and classroom portions of the lifeguarding course, participants will receive a Red Cross Lifeguarding / First Aid certificate and a CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers certificate valid for two years. 

Courses consist of roughly eight-hours of online modules to be done at home prior to class, followed by in-person classroom and skill sessions over the course of a weekend (Friday evening - Sunday evening). Participants must be 15 years of age by the conclusion of the course.

Lifeguard Review Certification

This course is intended for individuals needing to renew their American Red Cross lifeguarding certification. All skills and written test material (Lifeguarding, CPR, AED and First Aid) will be reviewed and tested.

Those wishing to take a lifeguard review course must either have a current lifeguard and CPR/AED certification OR previous lifeguard and CPR/AED certification that expired within the last 30 days. A copy of this certification must be provided for review at the time of registration, or the participant will be required to take a full course. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a Red Cross Lifeguarding / First Aid certificate and a CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers certificate valid for two years.

Preskills will be completed at the beginning of the course. Failure to successfully complete the preskills at this time will result in failure of the course and there will be no refund. Participants must be 15 years of age by the conclusion of the course.

Course availability is on a first come, first served basis and can be completed at activeflyers.udayton.edu. Please follow the steps below to register for Certification Courses. Contact the Safety Supervisors at safetysupervisors@udayton.edu with questions regarding registration.

Lifeguard Certification (New Guards)

1. Register for a lifeguard course on activeflyers.udayton.edu.
2. Complete minor's paperwork via CampDoc, if applicable. Details will be sent via email. Please Note: This profile must be updated each calendar year. No content will be taught to the participant until all paperwork and requirements have been met.

Recertification (Review Course)

1. Register for a lifeguard course on activeflyers.udayton.edu. Those wishing to take a lifeguard review course must either have a current lifeguard and CPR/AED certification OR previous lifeguard and CPR/AED certification that expired within the last 30 days. A copy of this certification must be provided for review at the time of registration, or the participant will be required to take a full course. 
2. Complete minor's paperwork via CampDoc, if applicable. Details will be sent via email. Please Note: This profile must be updated each calendar year. No content will be taught to the participant until all paperwork and requirements have been met.

Course Location and Parking

The physical address for the RecPlex is 2 Evanston Ave. Dayton, OH 45409. Failure to be on time will result in removal from the course; there will be no refunds.

To contact our welcome desk staff, please call 937-229-2704.

Free parking is available on weekends (starting at 4:30 p.m. on Fridays) in the "visitors" section of C Lot. Campus Recreation is not responsible for any parking violations.

What to Bring

Participants must bring a swimsuit, towel and change of clothes. Water and healthy snacks are encouraged. No refrigerator or microwave will be available. Leaving the RecPlex during breaks is not permitted.

NOTE: The Chill and vending machines are not reliable sources of food due to hours of operation.

Other Course Materials

Supplies

• UD Campus Recreation will provide participants with the equipment necessary to be successful in the course. A hip pack with a CPR breathing barrier, gloves and whistle is included in the cost of the course. 

Manual

• The online manual will be used throughout the online portion of the course. Participants are able to purchase a hard copy through the American Red Cross after the course is complete. The manual can be accessed any time online.

Minors Policy