Healey-Driscoll Administration Opens DCR Pools for the Summer time, Gives Free Swim Classes for Youngsters Throughout Massachusetts

Boston — The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) right now introduced the opening of its 24 swimming swimming pools for the summer season season, serving to present residents, guests and households with secure locations to swim and funky off throughout the summer season. As a part of the company’s ongoing dedication to water security, DCR additionally introduced the return of its free Learn to Swim Program for kids, with lessons supplied at 19 swimming pools all through the state. Registration opens on Monday, June 22. DCR additionally just lately prolonged lifeguard protection to seven days every week, which will proceed by way of the top of the summer season, pending workers availability.  

“Every child deserves the opportunity to learn how to swim. Swimming is more than a summer activity –it’s a life-saving skill that helps children safely enjoy our pools, lakes and beaches with confidence,” stated DCR Commissioner Nicole LaChapelle. “By offering free swimming lessons at pools across Massachusetts, we’re helping remove barriers for families while helping more children safely enjoy the outdoor spaces that belong to all of us.” 

Learn to Swim is organized into three classes taking place all through the summer season at 19 DCR swimming pools in communities throughout Massachusetts. Each session consists of eight half-hour group swim lessons which are acceptable for kids between the ages of 4 and 12. Classes are organized by age, designed for beginner-level swimmers, and primarily based on the American Red Cross curriculum, with a deal with water security and studying primary swimming expertise. Registration will shut as soon as lessons at every facility are full. Registration is required and is on a first-come, first-served foundation.  

This yr’s program will likely be held at DCR swimming pools in Agawam, Boston, Cambridge, Chelsea, Chicopee, Clinton, Fall River, Fitchburg, Hyde Park, Lawrence, Malden, Melrose, Milford, Somerville, Springfield, Watertown, and Worcester. For a whole listing of swimming pools providing classes or to register for classes please go to the Learn to Swim web site. 

Classes will likely be held throughout the next classes:  

Session 1: July 6, 2026 – July 14, 2026 (registration opens on Monday, June 22, 2026, at 8 a.m.) 

Session 2: July 20, 2026 – July 31, 2026 (registration opens on Monday, July 6, 2026, at 8 a.m.) 

Session 3: August 3 – August 14 (topic to teacher availability) (registration opens on Monday, July 20, 2026, at 8 a.m.) 

In addition to DCR’s Learn to Swim program, the Lowell Police Department, in partnership with DCR, the Sean A. Collier Memorial Foundation, and the Lowell Recreation Department will supply free swimming classes at DCR’s Raymond Lord Memorial Swimming Pool for kids from Lowell who’re between the ages of 6-16. For extra data on dates for that program, please contact [email protected].   

Additionally, starting on Saturday, June 13, 2026, DCR expanded lifeguard protection to a full seven days every week, operating from 10:15 a.m. to five:45 p.m. at 30 DCR swimming areas.  

DCR is continuous to recruit lifeguards to work at agency-managed seashores and swimming swimming pools for this summer season season. Certified lifeguard candidates can apply for positions by way of Labor Day, with aggressive hourly wages starting from $22 to $27, relying on place and related certifications. To apply or study extra about lifeguarding alternatives, please go to the company’s lifeguarding webpage. 

In addition to offering lifeguard providers, DCR works to make sure water security at state seashores and waterfronts by conducting common water high quality testing in any respect 79 designated swimming areas and has ropes and buoys in place at inland water areas to delineate swimming areas. Beaches even have security signage that may be translated into 9 languages – Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Haitian Creole, Traditional Chinese, Arabic, Cape Verdean Creole, Mandarin, and Russian – utilizing a QR code, and life rings for the general public to make use of at guarded and unguarded swimming areas within the occasion of an emergency.    

All DCR swimming swimming pools have chair lifts to offer entry to the water. Several swimming pools even have ramps into the water or supply zero-depth entry and choose swimming pools and spray decks even have seashore wheelchairs to be used. 

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