Meet the TEAM!

Swim&Gym Summer Camp is proud to welcome

Ethan Staley

as a new

owner and leader

, joining Kristina and Karen in guiding the continued growth and success of our camp community. Ethan’s journey with Swim&Gym Summer Camp is one rooted in experience, education, and a genuine passion for helping children thrive.

Ethan is a

Spanish teacher at Madison High School

, bringing a strong educational background and a deep understanding of how children learn, grow, and build confidence. In addition to his work in education, he is an

experienced lifeguard and swim instructor

, making safety, skill development, and preparedness central to his leadership approach.

What makes Ethan’s role especially meaningful is that he has truly

grown up within the Swim&Gym Summer Camp community

. He began his journey as a

camp counselor

, later served as

camp director

, and now proudly steps into his role as

camp owner

. This firsthand experience gives him a unique and invaluable perspective on every aspect of camp life, from camper experience and staff development to program quality and family trust.

“Swim&Gym Summer Camp has always been about more than just summer fun,” Ethan shares. “It’s about building relationships, confidence, and lifelong memories. Being part of this camp’s growth from counselor to owner has been incredibly rewarding.”

As a leader, Ethan brings a calm, positive presence that campers naturally gravitate toward. He has a remarkable ability to help children feel

comfortable, capable, and included

, whether they are learning a new swim skill, participating in gymnastics, or working together during group activities. His leadership emphasizes

effort over perfection

, encouraging campers to try new things, support one another, and celebrate progress.

Parents value Ethan’s commitment to

safety, structure, and mentorship

, knowing their children are learning from someone who leads with integrity and care. Campers admire him as a

positive role model

who listens, supports, and inspires confidence.

Ethan’s addition to the ownership and leadership team represents an exciting step forward for Swim&Gym Summer Camp. His educational background, deep camp roots, and passion for youth development strengthen our mission and ensure that Swim&Gym Summer Camp continues to be a place where children feel safe, supported, and excited to return year after year.

👉

We are thrilled to have Ethan Staley as part of the leadership team shaping the future of Swim&Gym Summer Camp.

At Swim&Gym Summer Camp, our staff is the heart of everything we do. Parents trust us with what matters most, their children, and we take that responsibility seriously. Behind every safe, fun, and successful camp day is a team of trained, attentive, and caring professionals.  We are proud to say that we have a high retention rate in our returning summer counselors.  A lot of our counselors were campers themselves and started in our Counselor in Training program.   My own children, Teddy and Abby, have been counselors in training at Swim&Gym Summer Camp and have been a part of our family business when they turned 5 and could join in as campers.  They have helped me in CPR trainings, helped me pick out just the right arts in crafts that campers would enjoy, and brought new games to the camp that they played in school.   

Here’s how our staff training and supervision standards help create a safe, supportive environment where campers can thrive.

We are intentional about who we bring onto our team. Our staff members are chosen not just for their skills, but for their character, patience, and ability to connect with children.

We look for individuals who:

Children feel more confident when they are guided by adults they trust.

Before camp begins, our staff participates in training focused on safety, supervision, and camper care. This preparation ensures that everyone understands expectations and procedures before the first camper arrives.  The staff participates in online training that the owners have learned about while at the American Camp Association conference, along with studying camp trends.  They also have over 30 hours of training on site, working on games, communicating, and camper care…

Training also includes:

Prepared staff create calm, organized environments where kids feel secure.

At Swim&Gym Summer Camp, supervision doesn’t stop at activities; it continues through transitions, breaks, and downtime. Campers are never left unattended, and staff are always aware of where children are and what they are doing.

Clear supervision allows:

This consistency is key to maintaining a safe camp experience.

Safety is about more than rules; it’s about relationships. Our staff builds trust with campers by being approachable, encouraging, and supportive.

When children feel heard and respected, they are more likely to:

Strong relationships create emotionally safe spaces where kids can grow.

We believe safety and trust are strongest when families and staff work together. Open communication and transparency help parents feel confident that their children are in good hands.

At Swim&Gym Summer Camp, our staff isn’t just supervising, they’re caring, teaching, and supporting every camper, every day.

For more than three decades,

Karen Clay

has been a guiding force in aquatics education, youth development, and community-centered leadership. As the

former owner of SwimWest Swim School

, founder of

Swim&Gym Summer Camp

, and a nationally recognized leader in the swim school industry, Karen’s impact reaches far beyond the pool deck.

Karen owned and operated

SwimWest Swim School for 32 years

, building it into a trusted cornerstone of the Madison community. In

2022

, she proudly sold the swim school, marking the close of one chapter and the continuation of a legacy rooted in safety, education, and genuine care for families and staff.

In

2003

, Karen founded

Swim&Gym Summer Camp

with a simple but powerful vision: to create a summer experience where children could stay active, build confidence, and feel truly supported. What began as an extension of her commitment to youth development has grown into an award-winning camp serving generations of Madison families.

Swim&Gym’s emphasis on

fun, fitness, friendships, and safety

reflects Karen’s belief that camps and swim schools are about more than programs; they’re about people.

Karen’s dedication and leadership have been recognized at the highest levels. Over the years, she has received multiple honors, including:

She has also served on the

Board of Directors for the United States Swim School Association (USSSA)

three times

, helping guide the direction of swim education nationwide.

As a

national and international public speaker

, Karen has shared her expertise on topics such as:

At the heart of Karen’s work is what many know as

“The SwimWest Way,”

a philosophy centered on caring for your

team

, your

families

, and your

community

. It’s a belief that when staff feel supported and valued, they create extraordinary experiences for children.

This philosophy continues to shape Swim&Gym Summer Camp today through leadership development, staff culture, and a deep commitment to doing what’s right for kids, families, and the community.

Outside of her professional achievements, Karen is deeply involved in her community. She currently serves as the

Treasurer of the Lakeshore Region Pony Club

and enjoys spending time riding her

thoroughbred horse, Snickers,

a reflection of her lifelong love of learning, discipline, and connection.

Karen Clay’s legacy is not measured only in awards or years of service, but in the countless children who learned confidence through movement, the staff members she mentored, and the families who trusted her programs year after year.

As Swim&Gym Summer Camp continues under the leadership of

Kristina Bauer, Ethan Staley, and Karen Clay

, Karen’s values remain at the heart of everything we do, ensuring that each summer is filled with care, purpose, and unforgettable memories.

Winter in Madison is the perfect time to stay active, play indoors, and connect with your community, and we’re excited to invite families to do just that at our

FREE Winter Carnival Open House

at

Swim&Gym Summer Camp

!

Whether you’re already part of the Swim&Gym family or just learning about us for the first time, this event is a fun, low-pressure way to explore our space, meet our team, and enjoy an afternoon of indoor family fun.

🗓 Saturday, January 24

⏰ 1:00–3:00 PM

📍 821 S. Midvale Blvd, Madison

🎟 FREE & Open to the Community

👧🧒 Designed for ages 5–12, but all ages welcome

No registration required, just stop by and join the fun!

We’ve planned a variety of

indoor carnival-style activities

so kids can move, create, and play even in the middle of winter!

Families can look forward to:

While kids are busy having fun, parents can tour our facility, meet our friendly and experienced staff, and learn more about our programs.

Our camp focuses on:

Families are welcome to ask questions, explore camp options, and see what makes Swim&Gym a trusted choice for summer fun.

Choosing a summer camp is a big decision, especially for first-time campers. That’s why we’re excited to introduce our

3-Day Camp Experience

, created specifically for families who want a gentle, confident introduction to camp.

This experience includes:

Many new families choose to start with this experience and then continue camp for additional weeks once their child feels comfortable and excited.

Families who attend the Winter Carnival Open House will receive:

At Swim&Gym, we believe children thrive when they feel safe, supported, and excited to learn.

Families choose us because we offer:

Our Winter Carnival is a reflection of what we value most: joyful movement, connection, and family-friendly fun.