Private Lessons

McCarthy Pool is located at Yates Field House on the campus of Georgetown University.  

Monday-Saturday: All members, guests, and visitors driving to campus should park in the Southwest Quadrangle parking garage. From the garage, Yates Field House is a short walk up the hill between Thompson Athletic Center and Cooper Field. Hourly parking rate is $5/hr.

Sundays: Parking is free at all University garages on Sundays. If you are driving, you can enter campus from Canal Road or Entrance #4 on Reservoir Road. We recommend using the free parking at the Leavey Center Parking Garage. Turn onto the road between Leavey Center and the Hariri Building (Business School) off West Rd – the garage will be signed and to the left.

The parking lot opposite the Field House (Lot Y) is reserved for handicapped members with a valid parking pass issued by OTM, and deliveries. Vehicles illegally parked will be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense.  For questions or further details about parking on campus, contact the Office of Transportation Management at (202) 687-4372.

Give yourself more time as it is about a 5-minute walk up the hill to the Field House.

Only those who have uploaded their proof of vaccination card to our portal will be allowed in to view the class from the balcony.

Instructors will be waiting at the end of a lane, in the pool, ten (10) minutes prior to the beginning of the lesson.

Patrons will enter the pool through the locker rooms. We ask that everyone change in the locker room and not on the pool deck. Day lockers are available throughout the locker room. Users may place their own lock on day lookers but locks must be removed after lesson.  All personal items should remain with the caregiver and remain on the balcony. It is preferred that strollers be left at the building entrance where they will be monitored by front desk staff to prevent foot traffic blockage. 

Children 5 years of age or older must use gender-appropriate locker rooms. Private restrooms are available behind Basketball Court #3 on Level 1. Please see Aquatic Staff to discuss special accommodations.

Children over the age of 5 are not allowed to enter the opposite gender’s locker rooms. We recommend bringing your child to the lesson in their swimsuit if you are not comfortable with them changing by themselves. There are also alternative change room options that can be discussed with you upon check-in. The pool deck is accessed from the locker rooms on the first floor or through the balcony on the entrance floor. If you have any questions or concerns, we will have staff to assist you upon entry.

Most bathing suits and swim trunks are acceptable.  We ask that you make sure that your child’s swimwear fits snuggly so it will not hinder any movement.  Children should not attend swim lessons with any built-in flotations. As this is a multi-use swimming facility, and home to the Georgetown Varsity Swim Team, our water temperature is between 81.5-82 degrees and may seem cool for young children. If you are concerned that your child gets too cold while in the water, you can look into purchasing a thermal swim suit.  

Please dress your child accordingly to account for this. Here is a link to a website we recommend for children’s cool water swimsuits. 

Please remember: 

• Children with long hair (longer than shoulder length) must have their hair pulled back. 
• Swim caps can be worn to keep hair from the face. 
• Goggles are highly recommended
• Towels and flip-flops can be placed pool-side during the lesson. 
• Please avoid t-shirts and shorts (unless swimming material).

There is an observation balcony that we request spectators view the class from. We understand your child might need some encouragement on the first lesson, but it will be required to view the lesson from the balcony for each proceeding lesson.

Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied and directly supervised by a parent or guardian over 18.

Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied and directly supervised by a parent or guardian over the age of 18.

Appointment Cancellation:

If cancellation is necessary, we ask that you call/email your instructor directly NO LESS than 12 hours in advance.

Late Cancellations/No-Shows:

• Late Cancellation: A cancellation is considered late when the appointment is canceled less than 24 hours before the appointed time.  If you are within this 24 hour window and need to cancel, you will be charged half the fee of your private or semi-private lesson.
• No Show: A no-show is when a swimmer misses an appointment without canceling. If you no-show, a class will be deducted from your existing private or semi-private package.

We understand that unexpected events and circumstances may arise and will evaluate on a case by case basis; however, giving your instructor as much lead time as you can is important.  We value fellow students, members and instructors and strive to be respectful and considerate of their time and schedules.  Additionally, first time late cancellations/no-shows may be waived and will be up to the discretion of the instructor and/or the Aquatics Staff. 

Thank you for your understanding and support in providing the best aquatics experience for all.

Children who sign up for the group or private lessons may not swim in the pool before or after class unless they have a membership to Campus Recreation and the pool is scheduled for open swimming. Parents of children, who are not members, are not allowed to work out in any part of the facility.

You may take pictures. However, for the safety of our participants, you may only take photos of your child. This includes the instructor.