St. Patricks Episcopal has swimming every day, and DS, who was 4 last summer, made HUGE progress. In one week, he went from being able to swim about 5 feet (and frankly, looking like he was actually drowning while doing it) to being able to swim across the pool. When we went to the pool the first weekend after camp, I was floored.

There's also an option to sign up your kid for private lessons held during the group swim lessons.

Both Headfirst (at Mater Dei) and ESL (Georgetown Prep) have instructional swim.

Wonders Child Care's camp at Edmund Burke School.

I sent my 6 YO DS to Valley Mill last summer. They do swim classes 2x a week and a "free swim" everyday. When I was there on parent's day, I saw a swim class and they had the kids separated according to skill. Two instructors worked with about 10 kids.

During the free swim, most of the kids were in the shallow area where they could touch the bottom and there were a few counselors in the pool with them as well as around the pool and on the lifeguard stand.

DS had taken swim lessons before camp, but was still a weak swimmer. After camp he could swim independently. Now, six months later, he is perfecting his strokes and swimming laps at classes.

In what geographic areas are you interested? DC only or further out?

I am the OP of this thread. It made me realize how important it is to confirm the safety of any camp with swimming activities.

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/413550.page#5752740

We've had good experiences with the YMCA, Headfirst and Burgundy Farm for getting 5 year olds to swim independently. I'm sure there are others!

Check the JCC. It's a mitzvah to teach someone to swim.

DS will be 5 next summer, and he still can't swim unassisted. We keep getting shut out of lessons in various places in DC -- they fill up so fast! Any recommendations for a camp where he can swim every day?