YMCA to host free Water Safety Program for Kids on May 3

YMCA of Central Kentucky hosts Free Safety Around Water Program on May 3 for approximately 500 Fayette and Jessamine County Public School Students 

As part of National Water Safety Month in May, the YMCA of Central Kentucky will host approximately 500 children at Y branches across Lexington on Friday, May 3 for Central Kentucky Swims, a free Safety Around Water Program. This program is designed to engage and educate kids, parents and caregivers about the importance of water safety and provide more of Central Kentucky’s youth access to swimming lessons. 

In the Safety Around the Water Program, kids learn what to do if they find themselves in the water unexpectedly. They learn fundamental water safety skills that include what to look for in a safe place to swim and how to swim a short distance on their front, roll over onto their back to rest and then roll on their front to continue swimming to safety. 

“Water should be fun, not feared,” said YMCA of Central Kentucky President and CEO David Martorano. “The goal of this program is to increase safety knowledge around water and improve the ability and stamina that builds smart, strong swimmers and confident kids.” 

Funding from KEMI and eCard Transactions enables the Y to give participating students a free eight-week swim lesson voucher, which builds on and reinforces the lessons taught during the Central Kentucky Swims Program. 

The following schedule reflects the times, schools and locations for the 2019 Central Kentucky Swims Safety Around the Water Program:

Friday, May 3
9:30-11 a.m. 
C.M. Gatton Beaumont YMCA - Cardinal Valley Elementary 
High Street YMCA - William Wells Brown Elementary 
North Lexington Family YMCA - Booker T. Washington Elementary 
Whitaker Family YMCA - Mary Todd Elementary 

11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. 
C.M. Gatton Beaumont YMCA - Red Oak Elementary 
Whitaker Family YMCA - Yates Elementary 

The YMCA encourages parents and caregivers to take an active role in fostering a relationship between their children and swimming - beginning with water safety. The following are safety tips to practice when in and around the water: 

  • Only swim when and where there is a lifeguard on duty; never swim alone 
  • Adults should constantly and actively watch their children
  • Inexperienced or non-swimmers should wear a Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device 
  • Parents or guardians of young children should be within an arm’s reach 
  • Children and adults should not engage in breath holding activities 

The YMCA offers a variety of programs for all ages, including swim lessons, water exercise classes (free with a YMCA membership) and competitive youth swim teams. To ensure that everyone has an opportunity to participate in YMCA programs and membership, financial assistance is available for those who qualify.