Swimming At Camp!

All Things Swimming

Daily Swimming

Willowgrove Day Camp’s daily swim program is a favourite for many campers! Our two beautiful, heated pools provide a great way to cool off in the summer time. Fridays are always reserved for Free Swims, but every Monday to Thursday, campers take part in game based swim lessons taught by our knowledgeable Aquatic staff. These lessons are designed to build upon skills learned through City or Private lessons, and aim to meet eachcamper where they are at (See Swim Assessments below).

For campers that do not wish to swim, they will be provided with swim safety activities. Willowgrove Day Camp does not offer other alternative activities during swim periods.



Swim Assessments

In order to swim in the deep end without a lifejacket, campers are required to pass a Swim Assessment. This test is optional but those who do not take it must wear a lifejacket in the deep end. Any camper who wishes to, or is required to wear a lifejacket will be provided one, and campers can retake the assessment at any time. 

Campers who pass the swim assessment will be given a bright coloured wrist band to identify them. Please encourage your camper to keep the wristband on for the duration of the week. 

The swim assessment requires the camper to swim the width (7.5m) of the pool 4 times and tread water unassisted for 2 minutes. 

Our JK + SK campers swim only in our shallow Baby Pool. If they enter the deeper part of the Baby Pool one of our lifeguards will determine based on their ability and height if they are required to wear a lifejacket. 

Our Grade 1 + 2 campers swim in both the Baby Pool and the Big Pool. This age group is required to wear a lifejacket when entering the deep end of the big pool and during free swim.


Water Safety

As a member of the Lifesaving Society of Canada, Willowgrove takes water safety very seriously. 

Campers are only allowed inside our gated pool deck when supervised by a member of our Aquatics staff, can only enter the water when given permission by a lifeguard, and only allowed to swim without a lifejacket after completing a Swim Assessment.

For each group in the pool, Willowgrove ensures appropriate supervision with one lifeguard on duty and two group counselors present. For example, if two groups are swimming, two lifeguards and four counselors will be on deck. At no time will Willowgrove exceed three groups or a maximum of 42 campers in the pool.

Lifeguards are carefully selected and each have up to date certifications in: 

  • Standard First Aid

  • National Lifeguard

  • Swim Instructor

  • Lifesaving Instructor


Please contact our office (office@willowgrovedaycamp.ca) if you have further questions.