What Can 2,200 Pools Accomplish in a Year?

REDLANDS >> This summer, all three branches of the YMCA of the East Valley will offer Safety Around Water, a free program designed to engage and educate parents about the importance of water safety skills and provide more of America’s youth access to water safety lessons. “All children deserve access to water safety resources and Safety Around Water is a great starting point to not only get kids comfortable in the water, but also develop a love of swimming,” said Roshelle Ogden, the Aquatics Director at the YMCA of the East Valley. “In many underserved communities, staying safe around water means keeping kids away from water but water safety and swimming are important life skills that need fostering in all children.” Through Safety Around Water, parents and caregivers will be encouraged to help their children learn fundamental water safety and swimming skills. During the eight-day course, children will learn how to respond if they find themselves in unexpected water situations—from how to reach the water’s surface if they submerge to safely reaching a pool’s edge or exiting any body of water. To help achieve its goal to make swim lessons more accessible for all children, this summer the Y will aim to help 200 children in the community develop crucial water safety skills that will help them grow to become strong, confident swimmers. Through Safety Around Water, the Y hopes to further bridge cultural and access gaps that can prevent some children from learning important water safety skills. The Y introduced the concept of group swim lessons in 1909. Now, each year in 2,200 pools across the country, the Y teaches more than a million children from all backgrounds invaluable water safety and swim skills. Families interested in learning more about Safety Around Water and how to enroll their child in local Y swimming and water safety classes should visit www.ymcaeastvalley.org or visit a YMCA branch today.