Supervision Ratios in Aquatic Facilities is a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the Aquatics Division of the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). It states that children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult and sets the maximum number of children and swimmers per adult at DPR aquatic facilities. Parents, guardians, group leaders and camp staff use it to know what DPR expects at check-in. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original document is published by DPR at the link below.
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What is Supervision Ratios in Aquatic Facilities – Washington, DC?
Supervision Ratios in Aquatic Facilities is a Standard Operating Procedure issued by the Aquatics Division of the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) that requires children under 13 to be supervised by a parent or guardian at an aquatic facility and caps how many children or swimmers one adult may supervise.
The document carries a policy statement, twelve guidelines and two procedures. It is a rule sheet, not an application: nothing is filed to obtain a permit or a number. The policy statement says guest safety is DPR's highest priority. It is issued by the Chief of Aquatics and states that it supersedes any previously issued guidance.
The main rules are:
- Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult at all times, and every parent, guardian or group leader must be over 18.
- DPR employees may ask for proof of age and may label a guest a "swimmer" or "non-swimmer" based on demonstrated ability.
- Non-swimmers must stay in water below their heads, and may not swim unless within direct arms reach of a parent or guardian who is in the pool area and in the water.
- Ratio caps apply to families, to groups and summer camps, and to infants in DPR-led programs.
- Lifejackets are strongly recommended for non-swimmers and are free at all DPR aquatic facilities.
Who needs to file Supervision Ratios in Aquatic Facilities – Washington, DC?
The main audience is parents and guardians who bring children under 13 to a DPR aquatic facility. Each child must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 18.
Other groups the document covers:
- Families with young children: a guest with children under six may not exceed three children to one parent or guardian; a guest with all children over six may not exceed six children to one parent or guardian.
- Groups and summer camps: swimmers may not exceed eight per adult provided, and must be grouped by swimming ability. Groups or camps of non-swimmers follow the same three-to-one and six-to-one limits as families.
- Guests designated non-swimmers: they stay in water below their heads and within direct arms reach of a parent or guardian.
- Parents of children aged 0 to 24 months in DPR programs led by DPR employees: DPR staff must ensure one adult for each child.
- DPR employees: they apply the rules, may verify ages, designate swimmers and non-swimmers, and may ask guests to leave.
The document does not describe any representative or substitute for the adult supervisor.
When to file Supervision Ratios in Aquatic Facilities – Washington, DC
The rules apply at every visit: upon arrival at the facility, all guests must check in with staff, who ensure the proper ratio is in place. Children under the age of thirteen must be accompanied by an adult at all times while at the aquatic facility.
The document sets no filing deadline, renewal cycle or expiration date. It is dated with the Date Issued printed on it and states that it supersedes any previously issued guidance, so the version you read is the one DPR applies.
Staff may also ask a guest to leave during a visit because of unsafe behavior, failure to obey lifeguard instructions, or an adult's inability to control a child's behavior.
Documents you need
- Proof of age, only if a DPR employee asks to verify the age of a guest; the document leaves this to staff discretion.
How to fill out Supervision Ratios in Aquatic Facilities – Washington, DC
Confirm the age of every child
Children under the age of thirteen (13) must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Be ready to show proof of age if a DPR employee asks.
Identify the responsible adult
Each parent, guardian or group leader must be over the age of 18. Name the adult who will supervise each child before arriving.
Count children against the family ratio
For children under six, no more than three children per parent or guardian. For children all over six, no more than six children per parent or guardian.
Apply the group and camp ratio
For groups and summer camps, no more than eight swimmers per adult provided, grouped by swimming ability. Groups of non-swimmers use the family ratios above.
Plan for non-swimmers
Non-swimmers stay in water below their heads and within direct arms reach of a parent or guardian in the pool area and in the water. Lifejackets are free at DPR aquatic facilities.
Check the infant rule
In DPR programs led by DPR employees, children ages 0 to 24 months require one adult for each child.
Check in with staff on arrival
Upon arrival, check in with staff so they can ensure the proper ratio is in place. Staff may ask guests to leave for unsafe behavior or failure to follow lifeguard instructions.
Review and download the PDF
Review the guidelines against your group, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and bring it to the facility if useful.
How to submit Supervision Ratios in Aquatic Facilities – Washington, DC
Nothing is mailed, filed online or delivered for this document: it is a procedure that DPR applies at its aquatic facilities, and it names no mailing address, portal or appointment channel. The one step it requires of guests is in person.
- At the facility: upon arrival, check in with staff. Staff ensure the proper adult-to-child ratio is in place before swimming begins.
- Proof of age: DPR employees have discretion to ask for it, so be ready to show it for children and for the adults supervising them.
- Lifejackets: they are free and available at all DPR aquatic facilities, and the document strongly recommends them for non-swimmers.
The agency publishes the document at the official URL on this page. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; compliance follows DPR's check-in procedure at the facility.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Letting a child under 13 enter the water without an adult; the SOP requires an adult to accompany children under thirteen at all times.
- Using an adult who is not over the age of 18 as the parent, guardian or group leader.
- Bringing more than three children under six per parent or guardian, or more than six children over six per parent or guardian.
- Grouping camp swimmers without regard to swimming ability; groups may not exceed eight swimmers per adult provided, and swimmers must be grouped by ability.
- Allowing a non-swimmer to swim outside direct arms reach of a parent or guardian, or in water above head height.
- Skipping check-in on arrival; staff must ensure the proper ratio is in place before guests use the facility.
- Assuming the six-to-one or eight-to-one ratios apply to infants in DPR-led programs; for ages 0 to 24 months the SOP requires one adult per child.
Frequently asked questions
What is the DPR Supervision Ratios in Aquatic Facilities policy?
It is a Standard Operating Procedure of the DC Department of Parks and Recreation Aquatics Division. It requires children under 13 to be accompanied by an adult at aquatic facilities and sets maximum child and swimmer ratios per adult.
At what age can a child swim at a DC DPR pool without an adult?
The SOP sets no age at which children may swim alone. It says children under the age of thirteen (13) must be accompanied by an adult at all times, and that parents, guardians and group leaders must be over 18.
How many children can one adult supervise at a DPR pool?
With children under six, no more than three per parent or guardian; with all children over six, no more than six per parent or guardian. Groups and camps may have up to eight swimmers per adult, grouped by swimming ability.
What are the rules for non-swimmers at DPR aquatic facilities?
Non-swimmers must stay in water below their heads and may not swim unless within direct arms reach of a parent or guardian who is in the pool area and in the water. DPR employees decide who is a swimmer or non-swimmer.
Are lifejackets available at DPR pools?
Yes. The SOP says lifejackets are strongly recommended for all non-swimmers and are free and available at all DPR aquatic facilities.
What ratio applies to babies and toddlers?
For DPR programs led by DPR employees, staff must ensure one adult to one child for ages zero to 24 months. This applies notwithstanding the family and group ratios in the other guidelines.
Can DPR staff ask me to leave the pool?
Yes. DPR employees have discretion to ask guests to leave because of unsafe behavior, failure to obey lifeguard instructions, or an adult's inability to control a child's behavior.
Can I fill out this document online on FillingPDF?
You can open the PDF on FillingPDF, fill it out online and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service not affiliated with DPR; it does not file anything or check in for you, since check-in happens with staff at the facility.
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