Thanks to contributions from McKinley Properties, Huron Clinton Metro Parks, YMCA of the USA and the Dick Beedon Memorial Fund, the Ann Arbor YMCA will be offering its free annual Safety Around Water (SAW) classes in locations around Ann Arbor, Pinckney and Ypsilanti this summer. SAW is a free annual learn to swim program teaching kids and families how to be safer in and around the water. Instruction will include tips on beach, pool, water park, and boating safety, as well as stroke development.
The classes in Ann Arbor are designed for children aged 3 to 12 years and
will be held at Downtown Membership Branch of the Ann Arbor Y at 400 West
Washington Street from June 24-28. Registration for in-branch SAW is now open!
The classes in Pinckney are designed with a special focus on lake-front and boating safety for children aged 3 to 12 years, and will be held at YMCA Camp Birkett on August 19-23 and August 26-30. Registration for SAW in Pinckney at YMCA Camp Birkett is now open!
The classes in Ypsilanti are designed for children aged 5 to 12 years and will be held at several McKinley Properties across Washtenaw County in July and August. Registration for SAW programming in Ypsilanti will open on Monday, June 24.
“The Y's Safety Around Water programming aims to eliminate barriers and offerfree water-safety skills that allow for parents and children to feel more confident and comfortable around water," said Ann Arbor YMCA President & CEO James Highsmith. "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 details (including dates, times, and locations) can be found at [https://tinyurl.com/563wrvhk](https://tinyurl.com/563wrvhk)
