Dartmouth has expanded its beginning swim lessons and made the classes free for all undergraduate, graduate, and professional students across campus. The classes in Alumni Gym are now available during the fall and winter interim periods, in addition to the fall, winter, and spring terms.
The move is part of a broad-based effort to promote health and wellness throughout the Dartmouth community, says Chief Health and Wellness Officer Estevan Garcia.
"Recreation is an important component of physical and emotional well-being," Garcia says. "We hope students will take advantage of these classes and related programs to develop new skills and find new ways to enjoy recreational activities on campus and in the broader community."
Instructor Pam Crandall '88 provides some pointers to Blessing Ndeh '27 at the Alumni Gym pool during a beginning swim class in late August. (Photo By Robert Gill)
This summer, Dartmouth offered free physical education classes and equipment to enhance student access to outdoor activities and programming, an initiative promoted by the recently formed Outdoor Engagement Committee, which also supports the swim lessons.
Eighty students participated in classes offering an introduction to lifelong outdoor sports such as fly fishing, tennis, golf, and pickleball, a 54% increase over summer 2023.
Last winter, the seasonal skating rink on the Green provided free cold-weather fun for students and the general public.
Swim classes taught during the fall, winter, and spring terms will meet twice weekly for eight weeks; credits count toward completion of the undergraduate wellness education requirement. Those offered during the winter and fall interim periods meet every weekday, for a total of 11 class sessions, and do not count toward the requirement.
Students at the College previously had to pass a 50-yard swim test to graduate, but the requirement was lifted in 2022.
Undergraduates can register for swim classes through DartHub. Graduate and professional school students can register via the Department of Athletics and Recreation.
Early signs point to a demand for the classes. All four current interim beginner swimming classes are enrolled to full capacity.