Water Safety Week at the YMCA

We live in a state famous for all its lakes, not to mention our many ponds, rivers, creeks—and backyard swimming pools! It’s definitely a place where water safety is important, especially for children. Statistics point out that children from minority and immigrant backgrounds are the most vulnerable to drowning and water accidents.

The Minneapolis YMCA is doing something about that! You may know that the Y invented organized lessons more than a century ago, and that our local YMCAs teach thousands of people of all ages to swim every year. But did you know that in partnership with Hawkins Inc., a locally-based chemical firm, the YMCA offers water safety lessons to more than a thousand Twin Cities kids each summer? And that those lessons are free to all the kids?

Some of the children participating in this year’s water safety courses had never been in a pool. Many begin with lots of fear and trepidation, but by the end of the week they’re brimming with new confidence and big smiles! Most important they’ve learned basic water safety skills that build a foundation for a lifetime of safe swimming, good exercise, and lots of fun. Thank you, Hawkins, for helping the YMCA provide this critically-needed service to our community.