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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Free beginner swimming lessons are being offered at more than a dozen organizations throughout the Bay State, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced on Thursday.
The Department of Conservation and Recreation said 14 organizations are receiving a total of up to $372,000 through the Safe Water Initiative Massachusetts (SWIM) program as a part of an effort to "increase access to swimming lessons and enhance water safety."
The beginner lessons are being offered to Massachusetts residents of all ages.
“Every Massachusetts resident deserves access to healthy, fun recreational opportunities,” Governor Maura Healey said in a statement. “Swimming is a life skill, and our residents shouldn’t have to miss out on opportunities to learn to swim because of financial burdens. This funding we are providing to partner organizations helps ensure more residents have an opportunity to take lessons.”
Organizations with instructors that are Red Cross Water Safety Instructor certified, or have industry equivalent certifications, and serve environmental justice communities were awarded SWIM funding:
- Boys and Girls Club of Stoneham
- Boys and Girls Club of Metro South
- Charles River Aquatics, Inc. in Wellesley
- British Swim School of Worcester
- Hockamock area YMCA in Franklin
- Merrimack Valley YMCA in Lawrence
- MetroWest YMCA in Framingham
- Old Colony YMCA in Quincy
- British Swim School of North Shore in Reading
- West Suburban YMCA in Newton
- YMCA of Greater Boston
- YMCA of Metro North in Peabody
- YMCA of the North Shore in Beverly
- YWCA Central Massachusetts Inc. in Worcester
DCR also provides free swimming lessons to children ages 4 to 12 each summer through the Learn to Swim program at select DCR-managed pools.
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