Dovercourt Aquatics Inclusion Info 2025

Welcome to Dovercourt Recreation Association’s Inclusion program!
Dovercourt (DRC) has created, developed, and implemented an inclusion program that aims to make all
programs and camps accessible to any child, with a focus on integration and support. This updated document
will go over the types of support we offer, how to plan for our programs, and the next steps needed to make
sure we can help make your child has a fun and successful time in our programs!
Firstly, we know that success can look different based on goals from caregivers, the child’s needs, and
our programming. The best way for you as caregivers to get that information is to read this document and fill
out our inclusion intake form here: https://forms.office.com/r/zVN5xrtcnY
This document will allow us to have a better understanding of how to support your child. We will follow
up with any questions we have and detail our plan prior to their lesson starting. If this document is not
completed, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to provide the appropriate support for your child during
programming.
After you have read this document and filled out the inclusion intake, please send an email to
inclusion@dovercourt.org if you have any questions!

Type of
Support
Public
Description/Criteria Support and Ratios Resources Next Steps
Your child can follow along
with the group, can listen
to instructions, and wait for
their turn without leaving
their group, your child can
independently practice
level appropriate skills
while waiting for their turn.
Your child may need help
with certain tasks,
understanding instructions,
require additional
demonstrations or
explanations.
Public/Regular enrolment
classes
Your child will be given individual
and group feedback throughout
their lessons.
Preschool levels ratio (1:5)
Swimmer 1-4 ratio (1:7)
Swimmer 5-6 ratio (1:8)
Swim Patrol ratio (1:12)
All swimming lessons have 1
instructor
Instructors are not able to
accompany students to the
bathroom.
We would
Recommend
public lessons
to help with
your child.
Register for Swim lessons,
and make sure your child’s
account indicates inclusion
support. Please complete
intake form.
Limited
Enrollment
classes (LE)
Your child participates with
the group for but may
require additional
attention. There may be
physical, emotional, or
social challenges that
require a learning
environment with a smaller
group. Your child may
require more explanations
and demonstrations. Your
child should be able to stay
with the group, listen to
instructions and wait for
their turn.
Limited Enrollment (LE)
Your child will be given individual
and group feedback throughout
their lessons.
Preschool levels ratio (1:3)
Swimmer 1-4 ratio (1:4)
Swimmer 5-6 ratio (1:5)
Swim Patrol ratio (1:6)
All swimming lessons have 1
instructor
Instructors are not able to
accompany students to the
bathroom.
We would
recommend
Limited
Enrollment
lessons so
they can get
more support
for their
needs
Register for Swim lessons,
and make sure your child’s
account indicates Inclusion
support. Please complete
intake form.

Private
Lessons
Your child requires
specialized 1:1 attention.
With a goal (determined by
parents/child and worker)
on which skills or level your
child will be working on.
There may be physical,
emotional, or social
challenges that require an
individual learning
environment. Lessons will
be tailored to meet the
needs of the student.
Private Lessons
Private lessons will have a 1:1
ratio with the instructor teaching
their class
If you have 2 children, working on
the same skills or are working
within 1 level of each other, you
may register your children
together in a semi-private lesson.
Instructors are not able to
accompany students to the
bathroom.
We would
recommend
Private
Lessons so
they can get
individualized
support for
their needs
Your child may
learn best
with a visual
schedule or
specific
prompts when
transitioning
from one skill
to another.
Register for Swim Lessons.
Fill out the intake form.
Please let us know details of
worker and expectations
Your child may
not be
working on a
specific level.
The following factors may help determine which level of support is most appropriate for your camper.
1. The Aquatics Program
The Types of Programming
Dovercourt provides a variety of Swimming Lessons that all have differing levels of physical activity, so please
read the lesson descriptions for more insight into activities. It is for the safety, fun and support needed for your
child to be successful. It is important with swimming lessons that you speak with our coordinator or manager
to make sure goals can be met. Expectations from parents should be shared, because everyone has different
needs. We put a focus on reaching parents/clients goals rather than passing the class. We encourage every
Client to try new things, but to make you aware of what each camp represents. Please reach out to us with any
questions.

2. Staff Qualifications
What our staff are trained in
The type of support selected based on the needs of your camper will determine the staff we pair them with.
All Guards and instructors are also trained in inclusion and accessibility to make sure they can offer additional
support. Aquatic staff are certified Swim Instructors and hold a lifeguard or assistant lifeguard certification.
What our staff aren’t trained in
Our Guards and Instructors are not trained in personal care such as toileting, diapering, feeding (including G-
tubes), washing or other physically invasive medical interventions. An important distinction is that when
children are in our care, we expect them to be fully independent in the washroom in a safe/healthy way as our
staff aren’t trained to assist.
3. Support they have in School and/or Camp
Swimming has a more laid back and fun atmosphere compared to school, but the type of support your child
receives can be a good indication of how they can be successful at camp. Please let us know if your child has
support and strategies within school so we can provide consistency where appropriate, it is likely that if they
have support at school, they may need support at DRC.
4. Toileting
When participating in our swimming lessons, clients must be toilet independent. It is important that if clients
are not toilet independent that that information is shared with the inclusion/aquatics team in the inclusion
intake above. If they are not toilet independent, the caregiver must provide swim diapers or be able to take
children out halfway through the lesson to use the bathroom.
5. Personal Support Worker
If you require a third-party support (external from Dovercourt) in the water for a client, the worker must be
comfortable and able to swim in shallow and deep water. Certified in Bronze Cross Preferred.

6. Next Steps
If you know the type of support your child will require based on the information above, complete the intake
form and we will be in touch with you as soon as we can with confirmation, details, fees, etc.
If you’re not sure what support your child might need, that’s okay! Please fill out the intake form, and we will
be happy to schedule a meeting with you. Please reach out to inclusion@dovercourt.org
If something changes or after a conversation you decide that it’s not the best time for lessons, for your child,
please let us know. Although our regular cancellation policy is 21 days before the start of the program to
receive a refund, in some cases we may decide that the situation warrants a credit or refund for funds to be
used in a different program or for other supports.