The Door County YMCA Swim Programs Offer a Mix of Fun, Physical Activity and Safety

With the swimming season now in full swing, the Door County YMCA is pleased to announce that due to a grant through YUSA, the Door County YMCA is offering free swimming and water safety lessons to 100 low income Door County children this summer. The YMCA’s summer swim lesson program encourages children and parents to explore the many benefits of swimming, while also keeping safety top of mind. Participants can enjoy water sports, enhance or learn new techniques, meet new friends and develop confidence, while also learning safety skills that can save lives. 

“Swimming is a fun and enjoyable activity for children and adults alike, and it’s an easy way to stay physically active and improve strength, flexibility and stamina,” said Mike McHugh, Aquatics Director for the Sturgeon Bay Program Center. “It is an absolute necessity, given that our communities are surrounded by water, that the Door County YMCA provides these great opportunities which allow everyone to learn to swim and learn water safety practices that can save their lives.”

As part of this program, the Door County YMCA encourages parents to take an active role in their child’s safety. 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 life jacket.  
• Parents or guardians of young children should be within an arm’s reach.
• Children and adults should not engage in breath holding activities.

In addition to learning lifesaving water safety skills, children will increase their physical activity by swimming. Swimming motivates children to strive for self-improvement, teaches goal orientation, and cultivates a positive mental attitude and high self-esteem. It also teaches life lessons of sport and sportsmanship, so that children can learn how to work well with teammates and coaches and how to deal with winning and losing.

As a leading nonprofit committed to youth development, the Y has been a leader in providing swim lessons and water safety in Door County for more than 28 years.  The Door County YMCA continues to help youth and adults experience the joy and benefits of swimming, so they can be healthy, confident and secure in the water. There are a variety of programs to choose, including Super Swim, Pre-School and Youth Swim Lessons, Underwater Hockey, Lifeguard Certification and Private Swim Lessons. To ensure that everyone has an opportunity to participate, financial assistance is available to those in need to help cover the costs.

To learn more about the Door County YMCA’s swim programs, please contact Mike McHugh at 920-743-4949, mmchugh@doorcountyymca.org or Mary Heimannn at 920-868-3660, mheimann@doorcountyymca.org.