Sign up for these 9 swim clubs in Philadelphia and the suburbs

As schools close for the summer, many families in the Philadelphia region return to their local swim club to cool off.

These members-only clubs offer a private retreat where kids can wade in kiddie pools as parents head to the snack bar or lounge in cabanas. Membership rates range from $525 to $1,629 and often include other recreational activities and social events.

During the pandemic, some suburban swim clubs saw a drop in membership, while others with ample space for social distancing saw an uptick, The Inquirer reported. The demand remains strong for people looking to “stay close to home and be outside with friends,” said Tom Yaegel, owner and president of Richboro Swim Club in Bucks County.

While there are plenty of public pools and spray grounds throughout the city, private pools can offer additional amenities, like diving wells and water slides.

Here are a handful of swim clubs in the Philly region:

In West Philadelphia, everyone knows University City Swim Club’s waitlist is a long one. The nonprofit private club serving 450 member families features four pools (toddler, leisure, 25-yard lap, and diving well), a half basketball court, a Dino Climber play-set for kids, and locker/changing/shower facilities. Members can enjoy monthly late-night swims for adults, family movie nights, a July 4th family celebration with food and games, an annual dinner dance, and more. Club lifeguards offer swim lessons too.

The waitlist, which currently has over 500 applicants, opens up when one of the member families drops out. Membership then becomes available for “rent.” Each member family can bring up to 40 guests per season with daily guest passes ($6 for child on weekdays to $16 per adult on weekends). The annual rental fee is $415 with family fees and dues.

📍310 Hanson St., Philadelphia, Pa., 19143, 📞 215-471-3180, 🌐 ucswimc.org

This year’s new members at this Center City swim club joined the “wait pool” in 2014 and 2015. New and returning associate members can secure membership for the club, featuring two pools and a full restaurant/bar, based on availability, and must submit payment and all requested information by the deadline set for that year. Waitpool applications are processed about once a month, and members must confirm interest. Seasonal members with at least three years of membership can request to be upgraded to the certificate holder category, which involves making capital contributions to the club for additional benefits. Pay $1,035 for certificate adults, $710 for certificate children, $1,770 for associate adults, and $1,125 for associate children. Passes for newborns are free, $1,240 for nannies, and $440 for sitters. Each member can bring a guest to the pool 10 times during the season for $30 (kids are $20).

📍2040 Lombard St., Philadelphia, Pa., 19146, 📞 215-735-4144, 🌐 lombardswimclub.com

You’ll need to nab a day pass to enjoy WET Deck’s outdoor pool atop the W Philadelphia with views of Center City. There are juices, cocktails, and light bites at the bar, towel service, and complimentary Wi-Fi (with a dedicated server). A day pass is $80 and can be booked up to 30 days in advance. A cabana for up to eight guests is $700. The reservation includes a water station, cool facial towels, W Philadelphia handheld fans, and access to live DJ sets (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 2 to 6 p.m.).

📍1439 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa., 19102, 📞 215-709-8000, 🌐 marriott.com/en-us/hotels/phlwh-w-philadelphia/experiences

Since 1961, the Bustleton Swim Club on Northeast Avenue has offered members access to two swimming pools: a 25-meter pool with a sliding board and a diving well, and a kids pool for children 6 years and under. There are also basketball and tennis courts, a children’s playground area, a competitive swim team, and a snack bar. New members must pay a $400 bond, a $100 application fee, and $625 membership fee (two adults in the same household) — children 3 to 18 are $75. Each family can bring guests for $10 on the weekdays, $15 on weekends, $50 for a six-guest special, and $15 on holidays — there is a guest discount of $5 per guest after 5 p.m. Note: To join, the club requires two sponsors who are current members.

📍9725 Northeast Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19115, 🌐 bustletonswimclub.com

Currently, there’s a waitlist of 12 families seeking to join the Swarthmore Swim Club, which features a baby pool, a diving well at the deep end of the L-shaped pool, a lap pool, plus snack bar. The wait time for membership depends on how much demand there is for the club; the membership cap is 615. Sign up includes purchasing of an equity share ($480), which gives voting rights to new members; it’s a one-time-only purchase required for full membership status. There is also a one-time $150 initiation fee. Annual dues are$520 for one adult to $1,065 for five or more people. A babysitter pass is $150; one guest pass is $15 (there are also 10 guest passes for $125).

📍201 Riverview Road, Swarthmore, Pa., 19081, 📞 484-472-6071, 🌐 swarthmoreswimclub.org

Nestled in a residential area of Elkins Park, Ashbourne Swim Club offers a private Olympic-size lap pool, diving and wading pools, and ample poolside seating. Memberships include up to five-person households with four guests allowed per family membership per day. Single adult members pay $275; two-person households pay $400; and three- to five-person memberships are $525. Sign up online.

📍1950 Ashbourne Road, Elkins Park, Pa., 19027, 📞 215-884-SWIM (7946), 🌐 swimatashbourne.com

Membership to the historic Black-owned Nile Swim Club provides unlimited daily entry and use of two pools and free swim lessons. Rates run $275 per single adult to $475 for a family of four. Members can bring up to four guests with passes ranging from $15 for children ages 3 to 18 to $20 for adults ($10 for seniors). The family pass is a new offering this year — it is $60 for two adults, two children, or an adult and three children.

📍513 S. Union Ave., Yeadon, Pa., 19050, 📞 610-623-1535, 🌐 nileswimclub.org

The Richboro Swim Club offers four pools with a 20-inch water slide, water basketball, and more. The privately-owned “members only” summer recreational facility also has spray pools with water jets, a 12-foot umbrella water wall, a bucket waterfall, diving pool, a 12-foot-high drop slide, climbing wall, and tot pool. Relax in the game pavilion, snack bar, or large shaded picnic area or attend events like movie nights and Fourth of July celebrations. Choose between full season, weekend-only, and half-season memberships with prices ranging from $674 for single adult (the weekend-only and half season) to $1,629 for families of six (full season).

📍750 Second St. Pike, Richboro, Pa., 18954, 📞 215-357-9567, 🌐 richboroswimclub.com

Over 240 families from the West Chester area summer at Roslyn Swim Club. The club features a 25-yard, six-lane rectangular pool with attached deep well swimming area and 360-degree pool slide, and a baby pool and swim area. There are concrete decks, umbrella-covered tables, chairs and benches, a covered pavilion with picnic tables, and a shaded picnic area with tables. There is also a bathhouse, changing and shower facilities, a basketball court, horseshoe pits, and a ping-pong table. Join the waitlist online and expect to pay a one-time initiation fee ($400) and family rates from $425 for one to $710 for seven. Bring a guest for $10 per person, per day.

📍838 Spruce Ave., West Chester, Pa., 19382, 📞 610-696-9627, 🌐 roslynswimclub.com