Sussex County YMCA Promotes Water Safety in the Community

HARDYSTON — As part of its on going commitment to encouraging water safety in the community, the Sussex County YMCA hosted its annual SPLASH program from June 17 to 20. The program is a YMCA national initiative, committed to providing community outreach and providing aquatic safety and awareness education.

“Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death for children under fourteen. We believe all children should know how to swim and be safe in and around water at all times. That’s especially true in New Jersey with all the lakes, rivers, oceans and reservoirs,” said Jennifer Gardner, Executive Director of the Sussex County YMCA. “The SPLASH program is a way for us to educate those children who may not benefit from aquatic safety lessons otherwise.”

Over the course of the program more than 50 area children were able to participate in a series of three free swim lessons, taught by the Y’s certified water safety instructors.

“The children that come to us in the program are non-swimmers or early beginners, and they benefit immensely from the free lessons, which are taught with the Y’s famous level of care and attention to insure maximum benefits for all of our participants, “said Gardner.

In addition to the free swim lessons, the Sussex County YMCA also hosts a troupe of performers that travel throughout the area providing Summer Splash Shows, skits that teach children about aquatic, sun, bear, and bike safety. The group will be performing at the Vernon Safety Town and Sparta Safety Town programs over the next several weeks.

“We see this as an opportunity to reach beyond our walls to local youth, and to educate them about summer safety in a fun and entertaining way,” said Gardner. “We are available to bring our performances to local groups, including school, camps, youth groups, and other organizations in order to reach as many children as possible.

For more information about the SPLASH program, group or private swim lessons, or scheduling a performance, please contact the Sussex County YMCA at 973-209-9622 or visit the Web site at www.sussexcountyymca.org.