Swimming lessons are returning to the Mar Cheri neighborhood pool in Federal Way. Neighborhood recreation chair Nancy Krueger believes the surrounding community can supply a critical mass of young swimmers.

The lessons, open to students ages 3 and older, are modeled after a Red Cross curriculum. At any age, Krueger says, there are three compelling reasons for people to enroll: “Safety, safety, and safety.” Krueger has managed the pool for the past five years, the same amount of time Anna Baklund has been teaching swimming and lifeguarding at local lakes and pools.

Soon to shoulder teaching duties in Mar Cheri, she says she will cap classes at six students to ensure that all receive one-on-one attention.

Once students have enrolled, they will be evaluated and sorted into an appropriate level class, ranging from beginning to more advanced. Although the pool is open only to members and neighborhood residents, anyone may join classes. Baklund noted that she has remained in touch with many of her former students’ parents. She enjoys work at Mar Cheri because the pool is “so community based. You know everyone by name.”

Each class will feature eight lessons over two weeks, and the first course will begin on June 20. For more information about class registration or joining the Mar Cheri pool, visit marcheri.org.