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Lifeguarding
Swim Lessons
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Our Programs!
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Camps
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Special Ability
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Summer Lessons in Your Backyard
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Birthday Parties
We teach a unique program with a Survival First Approach in a fun and gentle way!
Survival Skills and Safe Water Practices are essential to your child's safety.
Once our swimmers have the foundational knowledge to survive an accidental fall into
any body of water, they progress to swim strokes and technique!
We Private Lessons (1 Child), Semi-Private Lessons (2 Children) and have a Special Ability Program (1 Child).
We only offer Group Lessons (4 Children Max) if you build your own group.
Our Lessons Range from 30-45 Minutes depending on age and ability! This allows instructors to build strong relationships with your child, individualize our program to your child's specific needs, as well as make progress faster.
Our Special Ability Program gives kids with developmental or physical disabilities the opportunity to learn to swim with one-on-one attention from a certified and specialized instructor!
we give children the gift of water Safety!
Swim With Us in Ancaster!
School Year Program: September - June
That means you can register anytime and then keep your day and time until the end of June!
- We only have 2 registration periods!
Registration for September opens in June, Registration for Summer opens in February.
Otherwise, you can enroll at any time during the year! - If you need to withdraw from the program before the end of June, that's no problem! You just need to give us 30 days notice!
View Our Pricing Structure HERE!
Register for September Lessons HERE!
When making a Parent Portal account, be sure to add a student to see all available classes!
When making a Parent Portal account, be sure to add a student to see all available classes!
When making a Parent Portal account, be sure to add a student to see all available classes!
SEPTEMBER REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
We teach a unique program with a Survival First Approach in a fun and gentle way!
Survival Skills and Safe Water Practices are essential to your child's safety.
Once our swimmers have the foundational knowledge to survive an accidental fall into
any body of water, they progress to swim strokes and technique!
We Private Lessons (1 Child), Semi-Private Lessons (2 Children) and have a Special Ability Program (1 Child).
We only offer Group Lessons (4 Children Max) if you build your own group.
In your 30 minute class, instructors to build strong relationships with your child, individualize our program to your child's specific needs, as well as make progress faster.
Our Special Ability Program gives kids with developmental or physical disabilities the opportunity to learn to swim with one-on-one attention from a certified and specialized instructor!
we give children the gift of water Safety!
Swim Lessons in YOUR Backyard!
Summer Program: July - August
You can register for lessons in your own backyard!
Our Backyard Program runs from July - August, with an option to add June lessons for our Backyard Program!
Travelling to:
- Guelph & Surrounding Towns
- Cambridge/Kitchener/Waterloo
& Surrounding Towns - Hamilton Mountain
- Waterdown & Burlington
- Ayr/Brant & Surrounding Towns
- 30 Minutes in Length
- Once/Week
- Start the week of July 2nd
- End the week of August 29th
View Our Pricing Structure HERE!
If you live in one of the areas listed and have a backyard pool, you can register your little one for our Backyard Lesson Program!
Registration:
- We are not in every area every day! When you enroll please only register for a class in your area!
**If you register for a day that is not in your city, we will have to take you out of that class and you will lose your spot!**
- When you register, you are committing to July & August! We cannot take monthly enrollments.
- At registration you will sign up for a time-slot that works best for you: 8:30am-1pm / 4:30pm-8pm
- After we have all the time-slots filled, we calculate the distance and most efficient route for our instructors. We will then send you your lesson time for the summer - there is no wiggle room!
- Only Register 1 Student during enrollment and we will get in contact with you to complete your registration!
Register for Summer Backyard Lessons HERE!
When making a Parent Portal account, be sure to add a student to see all available classes!
When making a Parent Portal account, be sure to add a student to see all available classes!
Empowering Every Child to Shine in the Water!
Special Ability Programs!
Our In-House Special Ability Program is built specifically for children with Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Sensory Processing differences, and all physical and developmental disabilities.
Our ultimate goal? Independent swimmers who are safe, confident, and thriving in the water!
Our specially trained adaptive instructors understand stimming, sensory seeking, and embrace every child exactly as they are!
Every one-on-one session is built around your child's unique strengths, needs, and abilities; celebrating every milestone on the path to independence!
View Our Pricing Structure HERE!
When making a Parent Portal account, be sure to add a student to see all available classes!
Register for ancaster Lessons HERE!
Special Ability Lessons FAQ
Yes, and honestly, these are some of our favourite kids to work with. At Shining Stars we go at your child's pace, build trust first, and push for progress in the right moments! Some kids are swimming by week three, and some spend the first few sessions just getting comfortable being near the pool with us. Both are progress, and both are completely okay!
That's normal, and we plan for it. We meet your child where they are that day, even if that means sitting on the edge, playing with the water, or just staying regulated and ending on a good note. We never push a child past what they can handle. Trust is what makes the water safe, and we protect that above everything.
Absolutely! Communication looks different for every child, and our instructors are trained to read your child's cues and connect in whatever way works for them. For many of our non-verbal swimmers, that includes PECS (the Picture Exchange Communication System), along with visuals and modelling in the water, so your child always knows what's coming next and can tell us what they need. You know your child best, so we'll also lean on you to learn how they communicate before we even get in the water.
This is exactly what our instructors are trained for. We watch for the early signs, keep the environment calm and predictable, and adjust before things escalate. If your child does become overwhelmed, we don't see it as a failed lesson, we see it as information about what your child needs. Our space has limited people in the pool and is quieter by design, which already removes a lot of the overload kids feel in a busy public pool.
Every session is one-on-one, so our eyes and hands are on your child the entire time, never split between students. Our instructors are trained in water safety and adapt every safety skill to your child's abilities. Safety and survival skills come first in everything we teach, because being safe in and around water is the most important thing your child will ever learn from us.
We work with children with Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, sensory processing differences, and a wide range of physical and developmental disabilities. Rather than guess from a label, we'd love to talk with you about your specific child. The honest answer is that every child is different, so the best way to know if we're the right fit is a quick conversation!
Yes, whenever possible, and we really try to protect this. Consistency matters so much for these kids. The same familiar face every week is a huge part of how trust and progress get built, so we work hard to keep your child with their instructor.
Yes. Swim diapers are welcome and encouraged for any child who needs them, no questions asked. We also keep a range of supports on hand that we use during lessons, including lifejackets and other flotation aids, so we can find what helps your child feel safe and confident in the water. We'll talk through what your child responds to and adjust as they grow, since the long-term goal is always independence.
Camps!
At Shining Stars Camps, we believe every child deserves the Gift of Water Safety & Community in a fun, supportive, and inclusive environment!
Our dedicated leaders are passionate about child development, creating a safe and inclusive space, and a FUN camp experience!
🏊♂️ Top-Notch Swim Program –
Survival-first approach with small class sizes (1:5 ratio).
All Swim Instructors and Fun Swim Supervisors are National Lifeguard and First Aid Certified!
🌞 Endless Outdoor Fun –
Our spacious property means kids are outside as much as possible, enjoying games, nature, and fresh air!
🎨 Creative & Engaging Activities –
When we’re not in the pool or outside, we’re making memories through crafts, snack breaks, and group fun!
- Children ages 3.5 years(Going into JK)-12 years(Grade 6)
- Children who need extra support or have diverse needs
(Special Ability: Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Sensory Needs, etc)
When: All Day Camps, March Break Camp & Summer Camp is OPEN!
March Break 2026: March 16th - 20th, 2026
PA Day Camps 2025/2026: Check our Calendar!
Summer 2026: 7 Weeks of Camp!
July 6th - August 28th - Sign up for as many weeks as you'd like,
or look into our single day options!
Location: Ancaster - 661 Wilson St E
Price: $350/week/child +Tax
Drop Off: 8:30am - 9:30am
Pick Up: 3:45pm - 4:00pm
Single Day Option: Register at the enrollment link - in the comments section, write the single days you want to attend!
Price: $70/day/child +Tax
*Extended Hours will be accommodated on an as needed basis!*
**When you register, $100 non-refundable deposit of your tuition will be taken to reserve your spot.**
Why Choose Shining Stars?
Have questions? contact us!
Join Us for a fun filled week with swimming, games & outdoor exploration!
All Day Camps for the 2025/2026 Year are open!
Enroll in camps here!
VIEW OUR 2026 CAMP DAYS HERE!
When making a Parent Portal account, be sure to add a student to see all available camps!
Birthday Parties!
Pool + Play Package (2.5 Hours):
- We allow a maximum of 15 guests/swimmers - any more than 15 in the pool, we need to staff an extra lifeguard, which will increase the party price.
- Parents are more than welcome to stay, but if they are going to swim, you just need to account for those numbers.
- Your party includes 1 hour and 30 minutes of swim time, and access to the party and play room for your entire party!
- Your swim time will be lifeguarded, and you will have a party host to help you set up, clean up, and anything you need in between!
- We send you a pdf version of our pool party invites!
- All Parties at Shining Stars are Private Parties
Price: $500.00 + Tax
**Food and drinks are not included in any party package**
**We require a $100 non-refundable deposit when you book.**
Give your little one a birthday to remember with shining stars!
Book Your Party Here!
Lifeguarding Services!
Our minimum booking time is 2 hours!
- 16 swimmers or less only requires 1 lifeguard, which is $80 per hour.
- 17 swimmers or more requires 2+ lifeguards, which is $160/hour.
If you fill out the following form with information about the pool, its features, the party date/times, how many attendees there are, etc. we will be able to give you the most accurate information specific to your party!
Once you are booked, the lifeguards will arrive 5-10 minutes prior to the start time of the party prepared to guard. We provide our own equipment and insurance.
Guards will ask all swimmers in the pool to take a swim test, and any swimmer who does not pass will be asked to stay in the shallow area or wear a lifejacket to ensure everyone's safety!
We will guard rain or shine! We will not guard in case of severe weather limiting visibility of the pool (including the lifeguards' ability to see the bottom) or thunderstorms as that poses a risk to both swimmers and lifeguards.
FILL OUT YOUR BOOKING FORM HERE!
Make Your Pool Party Unforgettable & Safe with Shining Stars Lifeguards!
