Teaching children how to be safe around water is not a luxury; it is a necessity. The YMCA’s Safety Around Water program can help you make sure they learn essential water safety skills, which can open up a world of possibilities for them to satisfy their curiosity safely.
SAFETY AROUND WATER
Teaching skills that save lives.
From oceans to lakes to streams to swimming pools, water is everywhere. While water can be an irresistible place for kids to explore, play, and have fun, it can also be risky for those who haven’t yet developed their water smarts.
That’s why learning basic water safety skills is a must. It not only saves lives, it builds confidence. The YMCA’s Safety Around Water program will equip your children with tools they need to:
- Enjoy the health benefits of water-based exercise
- Bond with family and friends in and around water
- Feel a sense of accomplishment when they learn new skills
Keep Kids Safe
Drowning can happen nearly anywhere with standing water. Check out these valuable resources from the CDC to learn how you can prevent drowning.
Make a Difference
When you support Safety Around Water, you’re giving every child the opportunity to learn fundamental water safety skills that can help keep them safe for a lifetime.
Please contact our Aquatics Department at 414-354-9622 if you would like to schedule a private workshop for your group.
COMMUNITY
Our partnership with Milwaukee County Parks brings drowning prevention education into the communities that need it most.
SCOUT TROOPS
We provide high-quality water safety and instruction for scouts to complete water requirements for merit badges or camp.
SCHOOL GROUPS
By connecting with local schools, we integrate life-saving water safety skills and basic swim lessons into their curriculum.
Taught by a certified instructor, Safety Around Water teaches non-swimmers skills that will reduce the risk of drowning and give them confidence in and around water. A typical session includes:
- Exercises to help you adjust to being in water
- Instruction on what to do if you unexpectedly end up in the water
- Safety topics like what to do if someone in the water needs help
- Engaging games to encourage comfort and activity around water
Over the course of the program, we'll work on the following skills:
- Putting your face in the water
- Submerging your head under water
- Jumping in, turning, and grabbing the wall without assistance or flotation
- Swimming at least 5 feet without flotation
- Floating on your back
Each lesson includes a handout for parents and caregivers with additional water safety tips.
Safety Around Water is open to anyone in the community who wants to learn how to be safe in and around water. Summer classes are available for children ages 6 & up (as well as non-swimming adults) and are taught in age-appropriate groups to ensure optimal skill and safety outcomes.
A session of eight Safety Around Water classes is $5 per participant or $10 per family. Financial assistance is available to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate.
We also host private water safety workshops for local scout troops and school groups. Pricing and availability varies.