ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Parents eager to have their children learn about swimming and water safety can now sign their families up for the annual Safety Around Water (SAW) program at the Ann Arbor YMCA.
Free classes for children ages 3-12 will be held around Ann Arbor, Pinckney and Ypsilanti.
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The SAW program teaches children how to be safe at the beach, pool or water park, and teaches boating safety an different swimming strokes.
Classes at the YMCA Camp Birkett in Pinckney will focus on lakefront swimming and boating safety.
“The Y’s Safety Around Water programming aims to eliminate barriers and offer free water-safety skills that allow for parents and children to feel more confident and comfortable around water,” said Ann Arbor YMCA President and CEO James Highsmith in a release.
“The YMCA of the USA conducted a study that found that 9 in 10 U.S. parents see swimming as a key life skill for children. But 1 in 2 parents believe water safety classes are too expensive. This free initiative is designed in part to address that gap.”
Registration for Ann Arbor Pinckey classes is now open.
Here’s the schedule so far:
| Dates | Age Group | Location | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 24-28 | 3 - 12 | Ann Arbor YMCA Downtown Membership Branch | 400 W. Washington St., Ann Arbor |
| August 19-23 | 3 - 12 | YMCA Camp Birkett | 9141 Dexter Townhall Rd., Pinckney |
| August 26-30. | 3 - 12 | YMCA Camp Birkett | 9141 Dexter Townhall Rd., Pinckney |
SAW classes in Ypsilanti will be held in July and August at different McKinley properties. Those classes are intended for children ages 5-12. Parents can register for Ypsilanti classes on Monday, June 24.
Find registration information here.
This year’s program was made possible thanks to community contributors like McKinley Properties, Huron Clinton Metro Parks, YMCA of the USA and the Dick Beedon Memorial Fund.