Public Swim
Annual passes can be purchased at Donner Aquatic Center pool entrance window.
- Public Swim Season Pass: $60/person
- Master’s Swim Season Pass: $70/person
Important Information:
- All children 10 yrs & under must be accompanied by a responsible person 18 & older.
- Weather Guidelines: The aquatic center will not open if it is raining. The center may also close early if the weather is cool and attendance is low. In the case of closure due to rain or lightning, the aquatic center may reopen if the weather clears. Please check our website for updates or sign up for Remind alerts.
- Swim Diapers: All persons who are not toilet trained must wear a swim diaper. We wish to avoid fecal accidents which can cause the pool(s) to close for several hours or several days. Infant/Toddler swim diapers may be purchased from the admissions office.
Summer Session
May 24 – August 5: Closed May 30 – June 1 for a swim meet.
Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 1-6pm (open July 4)
- Saturday & Sunday: 12-6pm
Fees:
- Child (2 yrs & Under): FREE
- Child (3-17 yrs): $6
- Adult (18+): $7
School Session
August 6-10
Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 4-7pm
- Saturday & Sunday: 12-6pm
Fees – Weekday:
- Ages 2 & Under: FREE
- Ages 3-17: $1
- Ages 18+: 2
Fees – Weekend:
- Ages 2 & Under: FREE
- Ages
Free Swim
May 27-Aug 10*| 5pm-6pm | FREE
All children age 10 and under must be accompanied by a responsible adult 18+.
*Closed May 30 – June 1 for Swim Meet
* No Free Swim August 6 – 8
Master Swim & Deep Water Walking
Adults 18+ | May 24 – August 10*| M-F: 12-2pm | Sat, Sun & July 4*: 11am-1pm
Daily visit $3 | Annual Pass $70
Deep Water Walking for adults will be offered in the diving well daily. This is a self-directed program outside and participants must provide their own flotation devices. Masters Swimming is great for fitness and stress relief. Take advantage of lap swimming for adults (18 & over). Three lanes of the pool are available during swim lessons. Passes can be purchased at Donner Aquatic Center beginning May 24.
*No Masters Swim May 30 – June 1
Preschool Swim Time
Ages 6 & under | Saturdays, May 24 – August 9* | 10-11am | $2/person
The leisure pool will be open for parents and their children (6 & under). Enjoy the water and play features without the crowd of older kids.
*No Preschool Swim May 31.
Swim Lessons
Ages 6 weeks – 18+ | Monday–Thursday | Fri Rain Make–up | $50 | Donner Aquatic Center
Rain Policy: All participants are guaranteed at least 6 classes per session.
This skill rubric is intended to be used to help parents/guardians sign swimmers up for the correct level at registration. A swimmer should be able to perform the majority of skills in a given level, in order to advance to the next. All students will be evaluated the first day of class. If a student is placed in an incorrect level, they may be moved (either up or back). Reassignment to another level is up to the discretion of the instructor and is done for the safety of the swimmers, instructors and others in the class.
Registration: April 7 – Friday before session begins, 5pm
Session Dates:
- Session 1: June 2 – 12
- Session 2: June 16 – 26
- Session 3: June 30 – July 10
Classes Available:
Parent/Tot
The objective is to help children become comfortable in and around water. A parent/trusted adult must accompany infants/toddlers. Class is 30 minutes.
- 11:30a
- 12:15p
- 6:15p
- 7p
Preschool
This is a swimming readiness class. Students will explore water environment through games and play. Class is 30 minutes.
- 11:30a
- 12:15p
- 6:15p
- 7p
Level 1: Intro to Water Skills
This class will help children feel comfortable in water and enjoy the water safely. Class is 35 minutes.
- 11:30a
- 12:15p
- 6:15p
- 7p
Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills
Students will attain success with fundamental skills. Class is 35 minutes.
- 11:30a
- 12:15p
- 6:15p
- 7p
Level 3: Stroke Readiness
This class will build on the skills in Level 2 through providing additional guided practice. Class is 35 minutes.
- 11:30a
- 12:15p
- 6:15p
- 7p
Level 4: Stroke Improvement
Students will develop confidence in the strokes learned and improve other aquatic skills. Class is 35 minutes.
- 12:15p
- 6:15p
Level 5: Stroke Refinement
This class will provide further coordination & refinement of strokes. Class is 35 minutes.
- 11:30a
- 6:15p
Level 6: Swimming & Skill Proficiency*
Strokes are refined so students can swim with ease, efficiency, power and smoothness over greater distances. Class is 45 minutes.
*The following options are offered: Personal Water Safety, Lifeguard Readiness, Fundamentals of Diving & Fitness Swimming.
- 11:30a
- 6:15p
Diving
Instructional Diving. Class is 35 minutes.
- 6:15p
Adult
Customized for each participant. Class is 35 minutes.
- 6:15p
- 7p
Swim Programs
Jr. Lifeguard Camp
Ages 11–14 | Monday–Thursday | June 30–July 10 | 2–3:30pm | $100 | Donner Aquatic Center
During this two-week camp you will learn what it takes to be a lifeguard and get an inside track on a job. Each camper receives a fanny pack, visor and whistle.
Limit: 16 participants.
Registration: April 7–July 1, 5pm
Preschool Swim Time
Ages 6 & under | Saturdays, May 24 – August 9* | 10-11am | $2/person
The leisure pool will be open for parents and their children (6 & under). Enjoy the water and play features without the crowd of older kids.
*No Preschool Swim May 31.
Swim Buddies
Ages 5–25 June 10–July 24* | Donner Aquatic Center | $40
We offer adapted aquatic time for children, teens and young adults with disabilities. Swimmers are paired with Parks staff that will spend monitored time in the pool. Pre-registration is required and class size is limited.
Classes Available:
- Tuesdays & Thursdays | 9:15–10:15am
- Tuesdays & Thursdays | 10:30–11:30am
Registration: April 7–May 30, 5pm
*No programs June 19, July 1, and July 3
Youth & Unified Triathlons
Ages 6–14 | June 28 | 7pm | $35 | Donner Aquatic Center
Youth Triathlon consists of a swim, bike, and run.
Ages 6-10: 100 yard swim | 2 mile bike | .5 mile run
Ages 11-14: 200 yard swim | 4 mile bike | 1 mile run
Unified Triathlon* consists of a swim bike, and run.
Ages 6-18: 50 yard swim | 1 mile bike | .5 mile run
*Athletes with special needs can participate assisted or unassisted.
Registration: April 7–June 21, 5pm
Lifeguard Certification
Are you 15 and older looking for a great summer job? American Red Cross Lifeguard Training Course is the best place to start! This course is for people planning to be a lifeguard at a swimming pool. It will include CPR for the professional rescuer & first aid training. Must be 15 years old by the end of the class. Students will need bring their swim suits and towel to each class. Please enter the pool through the doors in the back of the school near the tennis courts. All certification sessions will be held at Foundation For Youth, 405 Hope Avenue, Columbus, Indiana.
Want to be a Donner Aquatic Center Lifeguard?
Birthday Tent Rental
Celebrate your birthday during our regular public swim sessions! Each rental includes a pop-up tent, picnic tables, and the option to bring your own food and beverages (no glass containers). We host up to two parties per session—one near the Main Pool and one near the Leisure Pool. While your tent will be in a specific area, you’re welcome to enjoy the entire facility during your celebration. Parties must be reserved in advance.
Hours:
- Monday-Friday: 1-6pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 12-6p
Fee: $100 (plus tax) for 10 children and 2 adults
Additional children and adults pay regular public admission fees:
- Children (ages 2 or under): Free
- Children (Ages 3-17): $6
- Adults: $7
No birthday tents rentals: May 30 – June 1 & August 6-8
Step 2
If your date is available, call 812-376-2683 to reserve your birthday tent!
Chuck Wilt Youth Scholarship Program
Recipients of the Chuck Wilt Youth Scholarship Program can be approved for $200.00 per child per calendar year. If you do not use the full $200.00 by December 31, the balance will go back into the scholarship program. Families can apply each calendar year.
Eligibility Requirements:
To be eligible for the Chuck Wilt Youth Scholarship Program, all families must show proof of residency in Bartholomew County and proof that the child is under their care (School document, Medical or Insurance document, Birth Certificate, Social Security card, Hoosier Healthwise card, most recent 1040 with dependents).
Families will also need to show proof of receiving at least one of the following:
- Social Security Supplemental or Disability Income
- Public assistance through the Division of Family Resources, i.e., Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Food Stamps
- Free lunch assistance through the local schools
- Public assistance through the City of Columbus Housing Authority
- Hoosier Healthwise Card
OR - If a family has foster children in their household, we will need to see foster paperwork.
Guidelines:
- Scholarship Amount – Individuals are eligible for a maximum of $200.00 per child for the calendar year.
- Scholarships will be awarded only as funds are available.
- Children under the age of 18 are eligible for a scholarship.
- Eligible programs – All Parks and Recreation programs. Scholarship does not cover season passes, private instruction, daily admission, equipment rentals and tickets to local events.
- Families residing in Bartholomew County are eligible.
- Scholarships are available for immediate members of a family or foster children who live with the family throughout the year. Scholarships are not available for friends or relatives visiting or staying for a period of time. Scholarships for such individuals should be submitted by the parent/guardian for that family, if applicable.
- Approval of the scholarship is subject to verification of the information provided with the application.
- Applicants will receive notification or approval or denial via phone within 7 business days from the date of the application.
- The Columbus Parks and Recreation Department reserves the right to revoke admission to a facility, program, or activity for misuse or cause.
If you would like to apply, you will need to fill out our scholarship application and email it to parks@columbus.in.gov or return it to NexusPark (2252 25th St – Entrance 2, Columbus, IN 47201) with the eligibility required paperwork above. Call NexusPark (812-376-2680) if you have questions.
Chuck Wilt Youth Scholarship Application (PDF)
