As part of the Y’s commitment to reduce drowning rates and keep kids safe in and around the water, the Boothbay Region YMCA applied for and received a $4,500 grant from Y-USA to continue providing scholarships for swim instruction and water safety to children from the Boothbay Peninsula and to expand the program to other youth in Lincoln County.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fatal drowning is the second-leading cause of death for children ages one to 14 years old. On average, communities have 40 percent or more children who have no or low swimming ability.

“Educating children how to be safe around water is just as important as teaching them to look both ways before they cross the street,” said Erin Gray, aquatics director at BRYMCA. “The Y teaches children of all ages and backgrounds that water should be fun, not feared, and this practice not only saves lives, but it also builds confidence.”

The Y has been a leader in providing swim lessons and water safety for more than 60 years. The Boothbay Region 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 from, including family swim, competitive swimming teams, group swim lessons, private swim lessons, and lifeguard training courses. Our swim lesson programs are formatted to the Y of the USA guidelines, with all instructors certified through the Y Learn to Swim Program. Through a structured curriculum, children from ages 6 months – young adults learn the importance of water safety, basic strokes, and the benefit of exercising in the water.

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. Children learn life lessons of sportsmanship, how to work well with teammates and coaches, and how to deal with winning and losing—skills that last a lifetime.

An anchor in the region, the Boothbay Region YMCA has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. The generous support of our community ensures that no one is ever turned away from accessing the Y’s programs and services for financial reasons.

For more information about our water safety programs, stop by (261 Townsend Avenue in Boothbay Harbor) or visit our website (www.boothbayregionymca.org). To learn how to qualify for financial assistance, please contact Lisa McIntosh at 633-2855 or lmcintosh@brymca.org.