YMCA Graduates Over 500 Students from Second Grade Safe Swim

 OVER 500 CHILDREN GRADUATE SWIM PROGRAM SO FAR

The Franklin County YMCA concludes instruction second grade swim program for the year.

Rocky Mount, Va. (January 5th, 2016) The Franklin County Family YMCA has taught swim lessons to 536 second grade students as a part of its 2015 safe swim program. The classes began back in August and finished up on December 18^th. Each class, from all 12 elementary schools, received 10 days of instruction individualized to each swimmers skill level.

The primary focus of the program is to teach children lifesaving skills to help prevent drowning. 451 students out of the overall group have reached a level where in a water emergency they could save themselves or survive until help arrived. To make certain each student is able to learn something new from the program four different curriculums (beginner to advanced) are employed. At a basic level students learn to be comfortable in the water, to float and not to panic. At the advanced level students are given the opportunity to refine basic swim strokes and tread water for long periods of time.

“Nationally drowning is the 3^rd most common accidental cause of death for children. So, the most important thing for us, as instructors, is to teach the kids to be safe in and around water,” says TJ Ross the Aquatics Coordinator with the YMCA.

In addition to instruction time, children get free time to play and practice the skills they’ve learned. On the final day of a school’s lessons, parents are invited to observe what their children have learned.

“This community has been really been supportive of this program. Everyone seems to really believe in what we are doing and how important it is to our youth. It’s been great year for the program and we are already beginning to fund raise for next year’s 2^nd grade class. If you would like to make a donation to the program you can do so on our website, by mail, or in person at the YMCA. I would also be happy to come talk to any organization about a sponsorship for this program.” says Andrea Fansler, Director of Development with the Y. 

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THIS GREAT PROGRAM!