YMCA in Fountain Offers Free Swim Lessons

YMCA in Fountain Offers Free Swim Lessons

Colorado Springs, CO – The YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region is hosting free swim lessons for 100 children from July 5–9 in an effort to teach children how to survive an unexpected water submersion. This weeklong course concludes with a graduation ceremony on July 9.
The event, which takes place from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday through Saturday at the Fountain-Fort Carson High School pool, is part of Y-USA’s Safety Around Water Program. The Y recently received a $6,000 grant from Y-USA headquarters to offer free swim lessons to children living on the south side of Colorado Springs. Safety Around Water is a movement that ensures children learn essential water safety skills. The participants from the Fountain community range in age from three to 16. Many of the children are military, and approximately ten of the swimmers are hearing impaired.

“This program allows us to serve at-risk youths that may not have access to swim lessons,” said Stephanie Lozano, Senior Aquatic Director for the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region. “The goal of this program is not necessarily to teach kids how to swim, but how to be safe in and around water.”
“Each year, 4,000 children become victims to drowning incidents, but drowning is 100% preventable,” said Lozano. “Close supervision is the key to prevention, as well as kids participating in swimming lessons. The CDC says that when kids under the age of 4 are exposed to formal swimming lessons, their chances of drowning are reduced by 88%. The Y is committed to teaching kids how to be safe in and around water and will never turn away a family for their inability to pay for swimming lessons.”

Participants will receive t-shirts, goggles and goodies from Penrose- St. Francis Health Services. Parents will receive water safety info on different topics throughout the week and whistles, which are intended for a designated “water watcher” who keeps track of children when they’re playing in a body of water.
On the last day of the program, the “graduation day,” there will be a cook-out for all family members of participants. In addition, everyone will get a free pass to swim that day, and the participants will be presented with their certificates and a goody bag. The Fountain Fire Department will also be out to let the children tour the fire trucks.

Pikes Peak YMCA

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