• Children learn to improve their speed and endurance at swim camp.swim underwater image by Julia Britvich from Fotolia.com
  
  Swim camps in Massachusetts foster the development of the four swim stroke styles for recreational and competitive use. Programs are available to individuals with no previous competition experience, but every child must have some previous swim training. While instructing swimmers in skill and technique improvement, the programs also encourage the development of teamwork and leadership skills.
  
  

Championship Swim Camp

• The Championship Swim Camp at the University of Massachusetts is a resident camp that offers swim technique and competition training to children 8 and older. High school coaches, college coaches and college athletes give instruction that includes a variety of lectures, individualized training and group activities. Swimmers stay in dormitories at the university throughout the weeklong program. Evening activities include scavenger hunts, games and talent shows. Campers are divided into two groups: Stroke Camp for children ages year and older and Training Camp for children 12 and older. Stroke Camp provides training in the techniques involved in the four competitive strokes, starts and turns. Training Camp fosters further stroke technique development while teaching the importance of stroke mechanics, race strategies and nutrition.
  
  Championship Swim Camp
  
  151 Southwest Circle
  
  Amherst, MA 01003
  
  413-545-4342
  
  championshipswimcamp.com
  
  

Simmons Athletics

• Simmons Athletics provides daily swimming stroke technique instruction for children between 9 and 17. The program takes place at the Holmes Sports and Fitness Center at Simmons College and is licensed by the local board of health. Each morning, swimmers receive instruction in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly stroke styles and one day is spent improving turns, starts and relays. Afternoon classes include nutrition and hydration, strength training and team building. Instructors use workshops, seminars and video analysis to educate and prepare swimmers for future competitions.
  
  Simmons Athletics
  
  300 The Fenway
  
  Boston, MA 02115
  
  617-521-1032
  
  simmons.edu
  
  

Technique Swim Camp

• The Technique Swim Camps at Harvard University offer a range of programs from novice to advanced training courses for recreational and competitive swimmers alike. The Novice Camp is for swimmers between 7 and 12 with minimal previous competitive training. However, beginners should be able to swim a minimum of 25 yards in two of the four swim styles. Intermediate programs require that participants be able to swim 50 yards in two of the four swim styles while advanced programs require the ability to swim a minimum of 100 yards in freestyle and backstroke and 50 yards in butterfly and breaststroke. Every participant receives individualized stroke training from experienced instructors. Swimmers also learn flexibility techniques, mental relaxation, strength and conditioning routines and the importance of nutrition and avoiding injury. Those interested in competition are guided through race strategies, cooperation and strengthening exercises.
  
  Technique Swim Camp
  
  PO Box 26
  
  Belmont, MA 02478-0001
  
  617-484-0550
  
  techswimcamp.com