MOULTRIE – With the support of a $7,500 grant from the USA Swimming Foundation, Moultrie-Colquitt County Parks and Recreation Authority grew Learn-to-Swim programming for Colquitt County youth, in 2024, by more than 60%.

MCCPRA is a Licensed Training Provider for the American Red Cross. Shyanna Corman, MCCPRA aquatics director, is Lifeguard Instructor Trainer Certified and one of only two in South Georgia who are certified to teach lifeguard Instructors how to train future lifeguards themselves. Corman is also Water Safety Instructor certified through the American Red Cross.

MCCPRA swim lesson instructors are certified in the American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program curriculum. The purpose of the American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program is to teach people of all ages and abilities how to swim safely, building water competency by providing fundamental swimming skills and water safety knowledge. Therefore, ultimately, aiming to reduce drowning rates and create a culture of water safety within communities. Essentially, making people comfortable and confident in the water while understanding potential risks.

In 2023, MCCPRA began allocating funds for 150 swim lessons at no cost to participants. The purpose was simple: Reduce participation barriers for children in Colquitt County to learn life-saving water safety skills.

Then, efforts in 2023 led to collaboration between the Boys & Girls Club of Colquitt County. MCCPRA offered transportation to and from swimming lessons to children enrolled in the club’s summer programming.

With hopes of continuing to increase access to these valuable life skills for the children of Colquitt County, MCCPRA sought additional funding sources. The USA Swimming Foundation grant award was able to meet that need in 2024. MCCPRA provided an additional 250 youth swim lessons, increasing the total to 400 participants in the Spring and Summer of 2024.

Each participant enrolled received 8- 30 minutes of water safety and Learn-to-Swim lessons during the two-week session. MCCPRA used small group sizes of 2-3 students per lifeguard to ensure the highest skill competency was achieved. After initial skills testing, participants were grouped based on skill level to serve each group exactly where their proficiency level was.

The American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim curriculum provides a series of swim lessons, which includes beginner swimming skills and water safety education. Also, confidence-building activities tailored to each participant’s needs. Instructors created a supportive, fun environment, helping even the most hesitant children feel comfortable in and around water.

It seemed like the impacts reached far beyond the pools. Parents shared that their children not only developed essential swimming skills but also gained newfound confidence in tackling challenges. Many parents shared previous water-related fears or close calls as the primary reason for enrolling their children. They wanted them to feel safe and secure in and around water.

The CDC reports the annual average of unintentional drowning at 3,960 each year, which is about 11 deaths per day. Additionally, for every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency treatment for non-fatal drowning injuries. In rural areas like Colquitt County, education about water safety includes more than just water safety around pools. It also includes farm ponds, rivers, and even drainage ditches.

Fear of water is often passed down from traumatic water-related experiences by parents or grandparents. Recognizing that water-related fears often impact adults as well, MCCPRA offers water safety and swim lessons for adults. The goal of this initiative is to ensure that parents and guardians can overcome their apprehensions and serve as role models for their children.

The USA Swimming Foundation grant has allowed MCCPRA to reach more families than ever before. The USA Swimming Foundation Grant eligibility rolls on an every-other-year basis for grant recipients. So, MCCPRA is looking for community partners to continue the seemingly positive impacts of this program.