Volunteers needed for city pool swim lessons
By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net
Splashing around in a pool is a fantastic way for kids to beat the summer heat, and the Darlington City Pool is offering free Splash Station Learn-to-Swim lessons to give local youth the skills they need to stay safe in the water.
Starting with basics like floating and conquering the fear of putting your head underwater, the classes progress through six stations, all the way up to a deep water swimming test.
Lessons are open to all youth ages 5-18. This program teaches swimming skills and helps non-swimmers stay safe in the water.
Volunteers are needed to share their swimming skills with these young people. There will be a short training period for volunteer teachers on the first day, lasting about 30 minutes.
“Volunteers need not be expert swimmers. Average swimming ability is all that’s needed, along with not being afraid of the water,” says Dyan Cohen, Splash Station Administrator.
The swimming lessons require about one hour per day for four days. The program runs from Monday, June 26 to Thursday, June 29 from 10:30 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. Volunteers are asked to arrive at 9:45 a.m. Monday for training and 10:15 a.m. other days. Friday, June 30 is a rain date.
This program is sponsored by the City of Darlington, YMCA of the Upper Pee Dee, and the Darlington Police Dept.
Splash Station Learn-to-Swim lessons will take place at the B.P. Gandy Pool, located at 115 Gary Street, behind the B.A. Gary Educational Campus.
If you would like to volunteer, or learn more about the classes, please call or text Dyan Cohen at (843) 307-1525.