FORT WORTH – Last year, there were 14 fatal drownings in Tarrant and Dallas counties, including four deaths at apartment complexes.
The YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth’s “Safety Around Water” program is diving in to make water safety more accessible through water safety lessons for resident children at 20 apartment complexes in the Fort Worth area. Children at the apartments will receive four-week sessions, with two free water safety instruction each week – both in water and on land – through the Y’s second annual “Safety Around Water” program.
- A total of 20 apartment complexes will be included this year, thanks to additional funding from donors.
- Sessions are four weeks each, meeting two days each week for 30 minutes each
- First sessions begin June 6 and run through June 30 at nine apartment complexes; two sessions per apartment complex.
- The second sessions at 11 apartment complexes will begin in July with the same structure.
- No advance registration for participants required.
“All children need to be equipped with the tools they need to be confidant in and around water,” said Tony Shuman, president and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth. “Teaching children how to be safe around water is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Our ‘Safety Around Water’ program equips kids with basic water safety skills, all at no cost.”
The YMCA also offers both group and private swim lessons for people of all ages, including trained instructors who emphasize five components of swim lessons: personal safety, personal growth, water sports & games, rescue and stroke development. Learn more about swim lessons offered at 11 Fort Worth-area branches at www.ymcafw.org. Scholarships are available based upon need.
An additional component of the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth’s Safety Around Water initiative has been funded by the National Swimming Pool Foundation, with a Step Into SwimTM Campaign Support Grant to provide swim instructions for day campers who do not pass the Y’s swim test. Those campers can receive four free lessons for the rest of their day camp, along with a 50% discount on YMCA swim lessons.
“With these two components, our Safety Around Water efforts just enhance the YMCA’s traditional swim lessons to reach even more kids with vital water safety instruction,” said Shuman.
