The YMCA of South Palm Beach County will use a $10,000 grant from the Florida Blue Foundation to provide free swim lessons for 100 children, including kids from low- and moderate-income families and children with special needs.
In a statement to BocaNewsNow.com, the YMCA said it plans to deliver 800 lessons, with each child receiving at least eight 30-minute sessions. Classes will be small so instructors can work with students one-on-one.
The lessons will use the Y’s Safety Around Water curriculum, which teaches survival techniques such as “Swim, Float, Swim” and “Jump, Push, Turn, Grab.” Children will then move through progressive swim lessons.
Bryan Hunt, the YMCA’s senior branch executive director, said being around water is part of everyday life in South Florida and that every child should have the chance to learn to swim.
The YMCA expects at least 75% of participants to show proficiency in essential water safety skills, and all of them to make measurable progress. Parents and caregivers will also learn about water-related risks, emergency response and safe aquatic environments.
