4M Learn-To-Swim

The 4M Swim Club's Learn-To-Swim (LTS) Program promotes / teaches the LTS curriculum of the American Red Cross (ARC). Marvin A. Thorpe, Sr. / the founder of the 4M Swim Club started the program in his backyard pool in Woodlawn / Windsor Mill, Maryland in the Summer of 1972. Surpassing its Golden Anniversary (50 years Summer of 2022), the 4M Swim Club has stayed with the ARC LTS curriculum in the same physical location becoming a staple of swimming instruction and consistently serving the community.

Students and adults of all ethnicities but primarily of African decent have experienced learning to swim at "Mr. Thorpe's". Starting at the age of 4 years old, most typical but some with physical and / or mental challenges, the 4M Swim Club has taught approximately 25,000 students over the last 50 years.

Upon completion of any 4M Swim LTS Session students will learn and apply basic water safety rules as well as be able to consistently demonstrate introductory and / or fundamental aquatic skills while swimming. Marvin A. Thorpe, II continues the LTS legacy with passion!

4MSC Swim Teams

4MSC Youth Yellowjackets

4MSC Yellowjackets (USA / MD Swimming Youth Club Team)

The 4MSC Yellowjackets Youth Swim Team is a club member of USA Swimming - Maryland Swimming LSC (Local Swim Chapter). The 4MSC Yellowjackets Swim Team is a year-round youth competitive swim team. 4MSC was started in November of 2014. Swimmers 4 years or older up to 18 are welcome to join.

The 4MSC Yellowjackets Youth Swim Team is not a learn-to-swim program however, some swimmers do join after a learn-to-swim session or two, most swimmers try-out. The ultimate goal of the 4MSC Yellowjackets Youth Swim Team is to compete. The 4MSC Yellowjackets compete on the MD Swimming circuit and intentionally yearly attend the Black History Invitational Swim Meet (Washington, DC) and the National Black Heritage Championship Swim Meet (NC).

4MSC “Yj” MASTERS

4MSC "Yj" MASTERS (US Masters Adult Team)

The 4MSC Yellowjackets MASTERS Swim Team is a club member of the United States Masters Swimming - Maryland LMSC (Local Masters Swim Chapter). The 4MSC Yellowjackets MASTERS Swim Team was started in October of 2017.

FYI: The word "Masters" was first applied to adults who participated in track and field and was later adopted in organized adult swimming. In swimming, "Masters" simply means 18 years and older. Anyone over the age of 18 is welcome to join!

Please know that the 4MSC "Yj" MASTERS Swim Team is not a learn-to-swim program however, some swimmers do join "straight-outta" learn-to-swim; the ultimate goal of the 4MSC "Yj" MASTERS Swim Team is to compete.

Let's be clear. Mr. Thorpe (Coach Thorpe) and/or Coach CC helps every 4MSC "Yj" MASTERS swimmer with learning the four competitive strokes, stroke refinement, stroke technique, diving and flip-turns. Typically swimming drills are included in and explained during a practice (workout). You will swim laps, which improves your personal fitness and endurance level and don't worry, Mr. Thorpe's (Coach Thorpe's) and/or Coach CC’s feedback is fair, frequent and free!

Last, 99.99% of your swimming will be a swimming workout (laps) however, the workouts are modified for each swimmer's individual ability according to Mr. Thorpe's (Coach Thorpe's) and/or Coach CC’s expectations. 4MSC offers coached swimming workouts for adults year-round.