Keep Kids Safe with the Y’s Safety Around Water Program

 

YMCA of Darke County offers free water safety lessons beginning June 5

As pools and beaches open and school lets out for summer, the YMCA of Darke County offers 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.

Through Safety Around Water, parents and caregivers are encouraged to help their children learn fundamental water safety and swimming skills. During the three-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.

“For generations, staying safe around water meant keeping kids away from water, but it’s time to start a new family tradition by learning basic water safety skills,” said Mitchell Bosse, Aquatics Coordinator for the YMCA’s Greenville location. “Safety Around Water is a great starting point to not only get kids comfortable in the water, but also teach their parents the importance of developing water safety skills.”

The Safety Around Water program will take place at both the Greenville and Versailles YMCA starting Wednesday, June 5, and running through Friday, June 7. There are morning class times, as well as late afternoon/evening class times. Each class is 45 minutes. There is no charge for any part of the program. Pre registration is required. Registration forms will come home from schools, can be found in your local newspaper, printed from the Y’s website at www.ymcadarkecounty.org or can be picked up at the Y.

Click here to download a printable registration form

The Y introduced the concept of group swim lessons in 1909. Now, each year in more than 2,000 pools across the country, the Y teaches more than a million children from all backgrounds invaluable water safety and swim skills. Here in Darke County, the Y teaches dozens of children water safety and swimming each year. Through Safety Around Water, the Y hopes to further bridge gaps that can prevent some children from learning important water safety skills.

Safety Around Water is presented with help from local sponsors including The Daily Advocate, The Early Bird, The Versailles Policy, The Greenville Rotary Club, Alvetro Orthodontics, and the Wayne Healthcare Foundation.

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.ymcadarkecounty.org or either Darke County YMCA location.