Ottawa YMCA resumes its second grade swim program

People love to swim – whether that be at the YMCA, in natural bodies of water or home swimming pools.

That desire only intensified when the COVID-19 pandemic struck last year, temporarily shutting down pools across the United States. Pool hours were limited or non-existent at some locations, leaving individuals to their own aquatics recreation devices. Swimming brings inherent dangers, which only increase when swimmers spread out across less-supervised bodies of water.

“We as are very concerned,” Ottawa YMCA Aquatics Coordinator and Dolphin Swim Team Coach Christy Ovanic said. “The CDC states fatal drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional injury death behind motor vehicle crashes for children ages 1–14. A lot of times we see drownings occur when a child was never even expected to be in or near the water. A gate left open and they get into the neighbor’s yard. They have a pool and your child gets into it. You have to expect the unexpected anytime you’re near or around water.”

Ottawa YMCA officials said it was critical to resume its second grade swim program as soon as possible. The second grade swim program was created 35 years ago as a way to reach all area children, especially those not already taking private or group swim lessons and ensure they learned water safety skills.

“Our second grade swimming lessons are designed to teach students how to have fun in and around the water safely,” Ovanic said. “They include three, one-hour lessons on basic swimming and self-rescue skills; floating, kicking, treading water, etc. The last hour emphasizes basic boating safety, the importance of lifejackets, and basic reaching assists”

This live saving program is free to all area schools, supported by the Y’s Partners In Youth program. Partners In Youth is the YMCA scholarship program funded by community donations. Jefferson, McKinley, Lincoln, Wallace, Harding, Waltham, Serena and Rutland schools have all participated in the program throughout the years.

Rutland Elementary School teacher Jodie Landers has experienced the program first hand.

“It is amazing to watch our students blossom into confident and safe swimmers,” Landers said. “The staff at the YMCA is patient, knowledgeable and organized.”

YMCA Executive Director Joe Capece has seen the effect the Ottawa Y programs have had on youths.

“To us, youth success means providing young people with the opportunities and support they need to be safe, succeed and thrive,” Capece said. “We are proud to be able to offer programs to help protect and educate area children.”

For information about supporting the Y’s Partner In Youth Fund, call Joe Capece at 815-433-2395