Small Town News

YMCA holds Water Safety Week in Rehoboth

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Kids, water and safety are three of the basics for those who live in close proximity to the ocean, bays and pools. The Sussex Family YMCA recently hosted the 6th Annual Water Safety Week program at the YMCA on Church Street in Rehoboth Beach. More than 300 children ranging in age from 3 to 13 participated in this program designed to teach children to be aware, safe and comfortable in the water.

"We get a wide variety of novices," said Lauri Weeks, aquatic director at the YMCA, "from the screamers who want nothing to do with the pool to -+he kids who think they can just jump in and be fine, as well as older kids who are embarrassed that they don't already know how to swim and try to hide their inexperience."

The program has a lasting effect on the participants and helps build their self-confidence. Some children who have participated in Water Safety Week in the past have continued to take swimming lessons and now swim with the YMCA's competitive swim team.

Water Safety Week is a true community effort. Funding for the program came from multiple sponsors including lead sponsor Beebe Medical Center.

YMCA aquatics staff oversaw more than 40 volunteers each day to work with the children. Community organizations, including the Rehoboth Boys & Girls Club and First State Community Action Agency in Georgetown, provided transportation so participants in their programs could benefit from the water safety lessons.

Accomplishment-of even a seemingly minor skill like blowing bubbles in the water feeds these children to try more and more advanced skills.

"Our volunteers are able to get even the most reluctant child in the pool," said Weeks, "and by the middle of the week the kids are floating, putting their faces in the water, jumping in the pool, and some are even ready to swim the length of the pool."

A trip to the ocean or bay can be a fun and inexpensive activity for the families of Water Safety Week participants, who come from throughout Sussex County.

By encouraging water safety techniques like never swimming alone, entering feet first, and always knowing one's surroundings, the Y's water safety program helps to make a trip to the water more enjoyable and safe.





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