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2nd Grade Swim Initiative:

A YMCA Safety Around Water Initiative

Teaching children how to be safe around water is not a luxury; it is a necessity. The YMCA’s Safety Around Water program can help you make sure they learn essential water safety skills, which can open up a world of possibilities for them to satisfy their curiosity safely.

Since 2015, YMCA of Bucks County has been pleased to partner with both the Central Bucks School District and Centennial School District to provide free swim testing to 2nd graders. During the in-water testing, students are evaluated in alignment with the Y-USA Safety Around Water rubric. Youth qualify for the next phase of the program based on their ability to confidently complete those skills.

The 7-and-8 year old youth who qualify receive water safety lessons with graduation goals to include treading water for one minute, performing a safe, basic rescue from the edge, swimming on the front and rolling into a back float and jumping in, swimming and returning to the wall. During the classes, children will be taught how to be safety conscious around water. The lessons are provided free to those who qualify, along with a free month-long membership to encourage family practice time.

In September, 2019  we announced the expansion of the 2nd Grade Swim Initiative (2GI) program to include testing for any child who is past first grade and still cannot swim. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Bucks County Orthodontics and Jackson’s Heroes 5K Foundation are partnering with YMCA of Bucks County to expand the program to benefit all children in Bucks County. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning remains the leading cause of death in young children and knowing how to swim and be safe around water is an important skill for youth.

Thank you to our community partners...

This water safety program made possible by YMCA of Bucks County, in partnership with Jackson’s Heroes 5K Foundation, Bucks County Orthodontics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia | CHOP Cares Community Grants Program
Program Supported by:
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Jackson's heros

Jackson's Heroes5K Foundation

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Parent Feedback

I want to thank you for the opportunity y'all provided for our children to be evaluated. I was SO IMPRESSED with how organized the program was, how clear & efficient (and safe!!) checkout was, and how smooth the program itself appeared to be (my little guy told me all about it!). We are really thankful for what y'all did with him! Our little guy qualifies for the lessons.