Learn to Swim at Mine Kill State Park

Beautiful Mine Kill State Park, located on Route 30 in North Blenheim, New York is once again offering its annual “Learn to Swim” program at the Olympic-sized pool complex within the park.  Lessons are available for both children and adults, and will be taught by certified Water Safety Institute instructors. The pool opens on June 28nd and Community Lessons will begin on Monday, June 30th.

All lessons are based on American Red Cross guidelines and include the Infant and Preschool Aquatic Program (IPAP) Stages 1 and 2 for children 6 months to 4 years, followed by instruction Levels 1-6 for ages 4 and up.  Mine Kill will again be having two 4-week sessions for IPAP, Stage 2, and American Red Cross levels 1-6. Lessons will be held Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. 

Session 1                                            Session 2

June 30 - July 24                          July 28 – August 21

In addition to the traditional Learn-To-Swim classes, Mine Kill State Park is also offering Adult Swim Lessons (depending on staffing levels) and a Competitive Swimming class.  The competitive swimming class will aid students in improving their stroke definition based on the Red Cross level they have completed.  Each individual will learn competitive swim techniques, drills, and self-discipline.  This class will be taught by WSI certified, coach, and competitive swimmer, Erica Buel.

Starting June 4, if you would like to enroll yourself or your son/daughter in this program, please contact Ashley Cunningham. You can do this at your convenience by phone at (518) 239-6322 or e-mail atcunninghama545@strose.edu . Enrollment is limited in each session, so individuals who are closed out in the first session will be given priority in the second session. 

Admission into the park will continue to be free when you arrive for lessons after 3 PM.  However, parents and children entering the pool area for lessons will be required to pay the pool admission fee. This year we are also excited to announce that our Kiddie Pool will be open. Come enjoy Mine Kill State Park and all that it has to offer.

Mine Kill State Park is located in the scenic Schoharie Valley overlooking the Power Authority’s Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project.  The reservoir provides excellent fishing and boating opportunities.  The eight miles of trails, including trails from the Park to the NYPA Visitor Center such as the Long Path, are great for hiking, biking and birding.  Cascading 80 feet through a narrow gorge is the picturesque Mine Kill Falls for which the Park is named.  The Park also has an Olympic sized swimming pool with separate wading and diving pools.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation maintain 179 State Parks and 35 Historic sites throughout the Empire State. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call (518) 474-0456 or visit www. NYparks.com, “like us” on Facebook or follow on Twitter.