Swimming: how far to push it? (4 yo)

Going to try to keep this short (fingers crossed):We live in a hot state where pools and water are everywhere.Kid is just shy of 4 yo, and attending summer camp that teaches swimming. Was originally very excited to learn to swim.At the end of the first week, started getting suuuuuuper scared of swimming, specifically the "bobs" (bobbing in and out of the water to get face wet / get used to water).Talked to teacher; they changed the swim instructor group kiddo worked with to someone kiddo liked better, and told kiddo it was their choice to bob or not.Unfortunately, two days later, kiddo elects voluntarily to bob, then panics, has a meltdown, and has refused to swim since. Even at home, upon broaching the topic of trying again, we get Defcon-5 tears and screaming NO; kiddo has also had a few swimming nightmares, and won't even wear the bathingsuit b/c thinks will get forced (tricked?) into bobbing etc. Bought fancy new goggles to keep water out of eyes, and kiddo threw them and screamed I DON'T NEED THESE I'M NEVER GOING TO LEARN TO SWIMSo. It's a big thing. Kiddo is terrified and angry about it. It's affecting kiddo's willingness to even go to "camp" (school) in the first place, even though teacher and I originally agreed to just let kiddo sit next to the pool in regular clothes and opt out of swimming. Additionally, teacher has now informed me that kiddo will HAVE to wear a suit and at minimum sit on the side of the pool - can no longer wear street clothes and sit on the concrete (why, I have no idea - that's a soapbox for another day).So my question is... if you've had kids who were reticent to swim, how'd you get them over that? And/or, is it better to just let it go / not force it right now?Additional background if you're not sick of reading yet: Kiddo doesn't have to attend this camp over summer - can stay home with sibling - so I am tempted to just pull kiddo out and skip the school/lessons for now, as I worry that making this a big fear to face every single day is going to make swimming a Big Traumatic Thing, when maybe kiddo just isn't ready. On the other hand, maybe there are good ways to get kiddo comfortable to try on their own, and maybe my inclination to pull them out will do more harm than good in the long run - facing fears and all that jazz.Any and all thoughts appreciated! via /r/Parenting http://ift.tt/2sWfIT6