A new Learn-to-Swim pricing structure for Red Cross aquatic providers will go into effect June 1. Customers who wish to sign up earlier may take advantage of a March 1 early opt in date.

New Pricing Structure

The offering includes an annual $350 facility fee (for each facility that has a pool) that includes 100 student learning fees, a corresponding number of Learn-to-Swim certificates, free banners, posters and promotional items. The student learning fee, which includes a certificate, for additional swimmers is $1.00.

Discounts

Facilities that offer Red Cross Lifeguarding courses will be offered a $300 annual fee and 150 initial Student Learning Fees. Those providers with a high volume Learn-to-Swim enrollment base (for example, 1,000 or more) that offer other Red Cross training programs will be eligible for additional discounts.
National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) members will receive a 10 percent discount on aquatic printed and web-based training materials.

Why the Change?

This price adjustment is in response to extensive research and feedback that has been received over the past 6 months regarding the fees that went into effect back in June of 2011. The announcement is being made now to allow providers ample time to plan and respond to the new fee structure. Providers will receive all of the benefits of the Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program and additional features at a significantly reduced rate than was previously proposed.

Aquatic providers highly value our programs and want to continue to offer them. When the pricing was announced for the 2011 season, many facilities adopted the fees, but others expressed concerns due to budgetary constraints and lack of lead time. The new pricing package and additional discounts will allow more facilities the ability to become true partners of the Red Cross and enable the Red Cross to recover a share of our cost to develop programs and materials.

Implementation Plan
All providers will be asked to sign a new agreement for the 2012 summer season. A letter from national headquarters will be sent to aquatic providers. Red Cross representatives will send a follow-up communication and contact aquatic providers to explain the new pricing package, to discuss how the system will work and to answer any questions they may have. Representatives will work with providers to ensure that they can continue to offer Red Cross programs and to explore scholarship opportunities for underprivileged communities.