Facilities and Resources
The aquatic facilities at ChildServe offer a safe, encouraging environment to foster each child’s participation in functional activities. The facility is handicapped accessible and features:

• Heated (94 F) 15-foot pool equipped for shallow water activities
• Ramp entry with low incline angle
• Range between two and five feet in depth
• Changing areas with lockers
• Climate-controlled pool enclosure
• Recreational tools
  

Services Offered

• Adapted aquatics for kids with special needs
• Aquatic therapy for both inpatients and outpatients (therapy is scheduled through the physical/occupational therapy department)
• Community adult programs
• Family recreational swimming
• Swim instruction for children

Aquatic Therapy
The aquatics program at ChildServe combines the benefits of physical therapy, occupational therapy and even speech pathology with the advantages of warm water exercise. Aquatic therapy is a swimming pool-based treatment program with wonderful benefits for children:  

• The resistance of the water increases strength and the ability to move the joints.
• Aquatic therapy is more comfortable since the water makes it easier to handle the kids.
• Enhanced sensory feedback and body awareness from the movement of the water.
• Muscles relax and are easier to stretch because the pool is heated.
• Working in the water lets kids do things they may not be able to do on land.
• Kids may work harder in the water than on land because it takes less effort and is more fun.
• Kids love it!
  

Physical Therapy
Aquatic therapy can help children with an assortment of neurological, genetic, developmental and orthopedic disorders.  Children who use a wheelchair or other assistive devices to walk on land can often swim or walk with virtually no assistance in the water.  Aquatic therapy may be very useful for children who can no longer tolerate land-based exercises or for whom traditional therapy has become too difficult.

Occupational Therapy
Certified aquatic occupational therapists work one on one with children with developmental disabilities improving fine/gross motor skills, sensory processing skills, focusing and direction following skills as well as other areas of development.

Therapeutic Recreation
Aquatic therapeutic recreation is much more than playing in the water. ChildServe offers therapeutic swimming programs for children with specials needs. Trained staff will assist swimmers with specific skills such as prescribed exercises and range of motion, or individually assess a participant and design a program to fit his or her specific needs. Therapeutic recreation provides children the opportunity to explore, assess, and develop lifetime leisure skills. Using a variety of techniques, therapists improve and maintain the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of children.

Community Programs

Youth Swimming Lessons
Swimming lessons are available for children with special health care needs as well as those who are typically developing. 

Arthritis Water Exercise
Water is a safe, ideal environment for relieving arthritis pain and stiffness. ChildServe’s water exercise program is designed to safely keep your joints moving and improve your sense of well-being. The program allows you to exercise without putting excess strain on your joints and muscles. The gentle activities in warm water, with guidance from an Arthritis Foundation certified instructor, will help you gain strength and flexibility.

Community Swim
ChildServe’s aquatics facility is open to individuals in the community as well as groups and organizations. We welcome schools, childcare centers, Mommy & Me groups, and other organizations to schedule times to use our warm water pool and equipment.  Please contact us for a current schedule of activities.

Special Events
ChildServe’s aquatics center is available for rental for special events including birthday parties and family gatherings.