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YMCA of Greater Toledo Offers a Mix of Fun, Physical
Activity and Safety
As swim season approaches, the YMCA of Greater Toledo
encourages children and parents in our community to explore
the many benefits of swimming, while also keeping safety top
of mind. In the Y’s swim programs, 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.
“After a Y Splash class, the kids have a strong sense of
accomplishment because they now have the ability to do
something they didn’t think they could do,’ said Kathy
LaFountain, YMCA aquatics director for the West Toledo YMCA.
“There are so many opportunities to participate in aquatics,
like boating, swimming, water sports and games, and aquatic
parks. Families can participate free of worry knowing they
have the skills to participate safely.” The YMCA of Greater
Toledo is committed to providing as many opportunities as
possible for everyone to swim and learn water safety
practices.”
The YMCA of Greater Toledo 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 can increase their physical activity by swimming.
Swimming also 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, as well as
water-safety classes and programs. The YMCA of Greater
Toledo continues to help youth and adults experience the joy
and benefits of swimming, so they can be healthy, confident
and secure in the water. Join us at one of our branches
indoor or outdoor pools for family swim, or competitive
swimming. 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 YMCA of Greater Toledo swim
programs, including YMCA Splash, please visit the branch in
your community. To find the branch near you,
visit our Web site at ymcatoledo.org. |
