Tucked away in the woods between Auburn and Black Diamond, Camp Berachah is home to a high school, a summer camp and among other things, a pool.

A well kept secret about the pool at Camp Berachah, it seems, is the fact there are lap swims, lessons and a water aerobics class that is loved by the small group that participates in it twice a week.

There were concerns, however, the small class might go away along with the lap swim due to low attendance, according to James Richey, associate director at the camp.

“Some of the ladies heard about it,” Richey said. “They came to me and wanted to put yard signs out and send fliers and post cards. They really liked the fact that it’s in the neighborhood. It’s very personable and it’s not crowded.”

Anita Knight, a member of the class who lives in Maple Valley, went to Richey and he said the staff realized the participants had “a passion for this… so we decided to keep it open for a couple more months.”

While it’s not much of a money generator for the camp, Richey explained, the staff figured it was worthwhile to keep the class going because its members would market it plus offering it is “good for the community.”

Rachel Raney, the instructor, lives at the camp with her husband who works in the office, and their family.

Raney had been working as a life guard during the lap swims and she took over the class, which has been around for about four years, in September.

“It’s been very fun,” Raney said. “It’s a very fun group of people.”

Other water aerobics classes have music going but, Raney said, they don’t because they’re all too social and would rather talk with each other during class than work out to music.

Still, the class is focused on the workout, Raney said, which is geared toward providing a cardio vascular and all over muscle toning experience.

“It’s low impact,” Raney said. “We try to work all areas (of the body) every time. You don’t realize that you’re exercising.”

Joann Small began taking the class in part because she was doing swim lessons with a grandchild the hour before, but it also really helped after she had surgery on her knee.

“My orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist both suggested it as a good way to rehab my knee,” Small said.

Elinor Maroney, a Covington resident, said she also thought it would be a good way to rehabilitate after having foot surgery.

“I was kind of hobbling down the street with my dog and I stopped and talked to my neighbor,” Maroney said. “She said, ‘You should come with me to my water aerobics class.’ It’s the best exercise I’ve ever done.”

Maroney’s ankle was terribly swollen the first time she attended the class and after the hour long session was over the swelling had gone down significantly.

Joy Lauderbaugh was also referred to the class by another member about a year and a half ago.

“I have enjoyed the camaraderie of the group,” Lauderbaugh said. “I think it has a lot of health benefits.”

For more information on the classes offered at the Camp Berchah pool, which are open to the public, visit www.campb.org.