Today, over 3,500 American children a year are treated in the emergency room due to a drowning-related incident.  Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 60-70% of African –American and Hispanic children cannot swim and only 13% of kids who come from a non-swimming household will ever learn to swim.  African-American children drown at a rate nearly three times higher than their Caucasian peers.  Building on a foundation of more than 100 years of swim instruction, the McCleskey-East Cobb YMCA has launched a Water Wise Initiative to raise awareness about the importance of learning to swim.  This initiative is a multifaceted program which includes free swim lessons to lower-income, local apartment communities, free swim checks monthly at the McCleskey-East Cobb YMCA for parents to assess their child’s swimming ability and formal swimming instruction.  “Every child in our community, by second grade, needs to learn to swim.  It is a critical skill that can determine the difference between life and death in a matter of seconds” said Becky Shipley, Executive Director, McCleskey-East Cobb YMCA.

This Sunday, April 22^st the McCleskey-East Cobb YMCA will offer FREE swim checks.  From 11am – 12pm, you can bring your child to the YMCA in Marietta and certified swim instructors will assess your child’s swim ability.  Are you sure your child will be safe in the water this summer?  Bring them to the Y for this free swim assessment.  The McCleskey-East Cobb YMCA wants to educate parents, children and caregivers about the learn-to-swim resources available in our community.  By raising awareness and providing the opportunity for more kids to learn to swim, we are saving lives.  To inquire about the YMCA’s Water Wise program, please contact Sarah Ernst at 770-977-5991 or sarahe@ymcaatlanta.org.

Who:  Children ages 3-18

What:  Free Swim Assessments

When:  Sunday, April 22nd, Sunday, May 20th, Sunday, June 24th, Sunday, July 15th, Sunday August 12th

Time:  11am-12pm

Where:  McCleskey-East Cobb YMCA (1055 E. Piedmont Rd. Marietta, GA  30062)

What to Bring:  Towel, Swimsuit, Goggles

No Registration Required.  Free for all!

(Submitted By Becky Shipley, Executive Director, McCleskey/Northeast Cobb YMCA)