Jr. Bronze Description: 

The YMCA and SPY swim team welcome new swimmers who want to compete with teammates in an encouraging and supportive environment. Emphasis is placed on developing the four competitive strokes while focusing on teamwork, sportsmanship, fitness and fun. Our coaches encourage swimmers every step of the way to improve and do their personal best. Being on the swim team is a great way to meet new friends, work out and have fun – all at the same time! Typical age range is 4-6.

All new swimmers are required to try out for the swim team before registration. 

• Requirements
  • Each swimmer participating must be able to swim at least 1/2 the pool independently.
  • Ability to listen and apply out of the pool instruction.
  • Facility membership is required

Session Information:

1st Session: October 20th – December 5th

2nd Session: January 12th – February 20th

Practice time: Thursdays 6-7PM

Email [email protected] for more information today!

Financial assistance and payment plans may be available upon request.

Bronze Level: 

Practice Schedule: Mondays & Wednesdays 6:00-6:45pm / Tuesdays & Thursdays 6:30-7:15pm

Swimmer should be able to: 

-Swim 25-50 continuous yards of Freestyle with rotary (side) breathing, continuous arm motion and continuous kick.

-Swim 25-50 continuous yards of Backstroke with continuous arm motion and continuous kick.

-Have previous knowledge of Breaststroke and Butterfly. 

*Swimmers should have completed group levels 1-6 or equivalent.

-Attempt a dive from the side of the pool or off the diving block.

-Pass an endurance set (Example: 4×25’s freestyle with 1:00 minute break after each 25.)

Bronze Sampson Family YMCA Swim Team

The YMCA and SPY swim team welcome dedicated swimmers who want to compete with teammates in an encouraging and supportive environment. Emphasis is placed on developing the four competitive stroke techniques, racing skills and endurance while focusing on teamwork, sportsmanship, healthy competition, fitness and fun. Our coaches encourage swimmers every step of the way to improve and do their personal best. Being on the swim team is a great way to meet new friends, work out and have fun – all at the same time! Typical age range is 5-10

Session Information:

Program runs October 6th through February 28th, 2026

Practice times:

Monday & Wednesday: 6-7PM

Tuesday & Thursday: 6-7PM – You will practice on either Tuesday or Thursday each week also, groups will be assigned prior to the week of October 6th and sent out.

All new swimmers are required to try out for the swim team before registration. 

• Requirements
  • Capable of continuously swimming up to 25 yards of Freestyle and Backstroke.
  • Ability to listen and apply out of the pool instruction.
  • Ability to demonstrate components of Breaststroke and Butterfly after instruction.
  • Ability to enter the pool with a Kneeling, Compact, Stride or Shallow Dive.
• Email [email protected] to schedule your try-out!

Billing Information: $83/month will be processed beginning on 10/6, and then the 1st of each month beginning 11/1 and ending 2/1/2026.

Financial assistance and payment plans may be available upon request.

About Us:

The Sampson Family YMCA Swim Team provides swimmers a competitive experience that is in a safe and supportive environment for athletes of all ages and abilities

Gold Description:

This group maintains an emphasis on stroke technique while incorporating more aerobic endurance, dryland exercises and racing skills. We encourage and teach a lifelong love and appreciation of the sport as we introduce this group to more rigorous training, preparing them to compete at the state and national level. Practices are offered up to 6 days a week.

● Typical age range: 11-18.
● All new swimmers are required to try out for the swim team before registration.
Requirements
● Legally swim a minimum of 100 yards of Freestyle and Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly.
● Ability to complete an endurance set of 10×100 at an interval appropriate to the swimmers age and level.
● Ability to listen and apply out of the pool instruction.
● Ability to enter the pool with a competitive start from the diving blocks.
● The determination to work hard and strive for personal achievements based on goal setting exercises.

Session Information:

October 5th – February 28th

Monday – Friday: 5:30PM-7:30PM @ Plum High School

Sundays: 8AM-10AM @ Sampson Family Y Indoor Pool

Why Sampson Family YMCA Swim Team?

• Consistent top tier team in Western PA
• Member of both the WYPSL League and USS Swimming
• Experienced and committed staff
• Quality facilities, weight room, and dryland training with certified instructors
• TEAM and Family Environment

Request a tryout today by contacting us at: [email protected]

Billing Information: $99/month will be processed beginning on 10/6, and then the 1st of each month beginning 11/1 and ending 2/1/2026.

Financial assistance and payment plans may be available upon request.

Gold Level:

Practice Schedule: Mondays & Wednesdays 6:45-8:00pm / Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:17-8:45pm.

Swimmer should be able to:

-Swim 200-500 Freestyle (continuous) with continuous arm motion, kicking and rotary (side) breathing.

-Swim 400 IM (continuous) with appropriate turns and continuous arm and kicking motion.

-Dive from the starting block.

-Perform proper flip turns/pullouts for all four strokes (Freestyle, Backstroke, Breastroke, Butterfly) and be completed during each practice.

-Pass an endurance set. (Example: 4×100’s Freestyle and 4×100’s choice with .30 second break after each 100.)

Silver Level: 

Practice Schedule: Mondays & Wednesdays 6:45-8:00pm / Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:15-8:30pm

Swimmer should be able to:

-Swim 50-100 Freestyle with continuous arm motion, kicking and rotary (side) breathing.

-Swim 50-100 of the four competitive strokes continuously with appropriate turns and continuous arm and kicking motion.

-Dive from the starting block.

-Continuously perform flip turns – no open turns.

-Perform the appropriate streamline/turn for each stroke.

-Butterfly – Get their arms over the water and perform the butterfly kick.

-Breastroke – Perform the breaststroke pull and kick. 

-Backstroke – Swim on their back for the entire distance and perform a backstroke flip turn and appropriate finish.

-Pass an endurance set (Example: 4×50’s freestyle and/or Backstroke with 1:00 minute break after each 50.) 

Silver Sampson Family YMCA Swim Team

Silver Description:  This group builds upon the fundamental swimming skills learned in the Bronze Group. More advanced drills and training techniques are introduced progressively to improve overall coordination and efficiency in water. Swimmers are encouraged to attend practice regularly and participate in swim meets. Being on the swim team is a great way to meet new friends, work out and have fun – all at the same time!   Typical age range: 8-12.

Session Information: 

Program runs October 6th – February 28th

Practice times:

Monday – Thursday: 7:00-8:15PM

Fridays: 5:30-6:45PM

All new swimmers are required to try out for the swim team before registration. 

• Requirements
  • Legally swim a minimum of 50 yards of Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly.
  • Ability to listen and apply out of the pool instruction.
  • Ability to enter the pool with a competitive start from the diving blocks.
• Email [email protected] to schedule your try-out!

Billing Information: $91/month will be processed beginning on 10/6, and then the 1st of each month beginning 11/1 and ending 2/1/2026.

Financial assistance and payment plans may be available upon request.

Swimmers must have completed level 6 are able to swim 25 yards of freestyle and backstroke/tread water for 1 min. This class is for swimmers who want to be on the main swim team but still need to develop endurance and technique while starting to learn lap lane safety.

No Swim Meet Commitments.

Bronze Squad
Practices T, W, Th 6:00–7:15pm

Swimmers should have completed group levels 1-6 or equivalent.

Bronze swimmers must be able to:

• Swim 25-50 continuous yards of Freestyle with rotary (side) breathing, continuous arm motion and continuous kick.
• Swim 25-50 continuous yards of Backstroke with continuous arm motion and continuous kick.
• Have previous knowledge of Breaststroke and Butterfly.
• Attempt a dive from the side of the pool or off the diving block.
• Pass an endurance set (Example: 4×25’s freestyle with 1:00 minute break after each 25.)

Silver Squad
Practices T/W/Th 6:00–7:15pm

Silver Swimmers must be able to:

• Swim 50-100 Freestyle with continuous arm motion, kicking and rotary (side) breathing.
• Swim 50-100 of the four competitive strokes continuously with appropriate turns and continuous arm and kicking motion.
• Dive from the starting block.
• Continuously perform flip turns – no open turns.
• Perform the appropriate streamline/turn for each stroke.
• Butterfly — Get their arms over the water and perform the butterfly kick.
• Breaststroke — Perform the breaststroke pull and kick.
• Backstroke — Swim on their back for the entire distance and perform a backstroke flip turn and appropriate finish.
• Pass an endurance set (Example: 4×50’s freestyle and/or Backstroke with 1:00 minute break after each 50.)