We have three kids, ages 5, 7, and 9, and we considering signing them up for Foss Swimming for the summer. We've done years of lessons at a local community center, but we don't see a lot of progression. The community center offers pretty good lessons, although they do seem to be taught by 16 year olds more and more, but since they are so inexpensive, it is hard to sign up. Hundreds of people compete to get into these lessons, so it's about a 50/50 chance that we get signed up. I think that's why we see little progression: the kids take a 4 week session, and then they can't continue because we can't get into the next session. Foss has 12 week sessions, so they'd be set for the whole summer. They are so very expensive though, so I want to be sure I'm not wasting our hard-earned money. I think swimming is on of the most important skills for my kids, but we also live on a tight one-income budget, so I have to be real when it comes to expenses. We have the money set aside for the lessons, I just don't want to be disappointed. Anyone here have experience with Foss? If so, what do you think?
Yes yes yes! Here's a link to my review from a few weeks ago:
http://www.mamasource.com/business/3203987290917437441/de...
S.
I just recently signed my son up with Foss and so far so good. I've never heard anything negative about their instructors and I'm 100% satisfied with their lessons. I don't think you'll be disappointed and I personally think it's well worth the investment. Trusting my son to young teenagers (however well trained they may be), just didn't convince me and maybe because I'm not convinced that they're experienced enough. The teachers in Foss are clearly well-trained, have a schedule of activities/lessons every time and are organized and focused in getting children to relax and learn. I'm glad I spent the money...
My sister-in-law just got a job as an instructor at Foss Swimming School. She has absolutely no swimming experience, but will be in training for a couple weeks before having her own class. Other than that I don't know anything about it.
I believe Foss IS worth the money. Both my kids are in the swimming lessons now for the first time and they are learning alot. (they both were afraid to put face in water) I am going to be putting them in the 2 week summer camp and again for the summer 12 week sessions. The instructors are Very Well trained and very patient with the kids. It is also a ratio of 3-4 kids to 1 instructor. I am glad I spent the money to have my kids learn how to swim.
I was not about to pay the high price for Foss either so I sent our two children through the local pool class (similar to what you described). After two full sessions with the high school-aged instructors who did not challenge them or urge them at all, our son would still not put his face in the water and our daughter refused to take the class at all and we received a refund for her.
I broke down and signed them up for one of Foss' 2-week swim camps last summer. Within two days our son was swimming on his stomach and back for 25 feet and our daughter was swimming on her front for 10 feet. They were so proud of themselves and I was converted immediately! Yes, it's more money, but the results are immediate and it has stayed with them. They took one more 2-week camp later in the summer and I plan to sign them both up for at least one camp this summer. We like the mini camps because they are just two weeks long and they are M-Th so the kids learn fast and get to practice the skills over and over rather than just once a week. Good luck!
