The Evolution of a Swim School

Crossley Aquatics Ltd. began as an instructional swim program for the West Rouge/Centennial community over 30 years ago. Programs began as Outdoor Summer Swim Lessons and growing to include Indoor School Year Swim Lessons at Mowat Pool. The company has evolved with the education, training and many teaching and coaching experiences that Lisa Graves, the Director & high school teacher, has enjoyed. 

In 2003, a new door opened as the Graves family ventured to a 57 acre forested property outside Port Perry. The introduction of our Crossley Aquatics Ltd: Dogwood Acres Camp soon followed growing exponentially each year. It began as a small venture offering swimming lessons to children during the summer who soon expressed interest in wanting to stay and play in the 57 acres of private park which has mixed forests, creeks, and ponds. The camp program transformed over the years, going from 20 campers each week up to 70 throughout July & August.

September 2021 marks the most recent transition for Graves family at 620 Scugog Line 4, Port Perry property. Our property has now officially been named Dogwood Forest where both Crossley Aquatics Ltd and Dogwood Forest Ltd offer programs:

• Crossley Aquatics Ltd., owned and operated by Lisa Graves will be focusing solely on providing Outdoor Summer Swim Lessons at our property in Port Perry and Indoor School Year Swim Lessons at Mowat Pool, (temporarily closed). 
• Dogwood Forest Ltd., owned and operated by Brad & Michelle Graves, have immersed themselves in educating children, families & schools in Durham Region in an outdoor setting, offering Forest School programs throughout the school year and Summer Day Camp programs in July and August.