Making Waves: How the Y is Saving Lives Through Water Safety
May is National Water Safety Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of water safety education, especially for youth in our communities. At the Gateway Region YMCA, we believe that every person, regardless of age, income, or background, should have access to life-saving swim instruction and water safety skills. Through programs like Safety Around Water, Go for Green, and Swim Smart, our YMCA locations across Missouri and Illinois are helping to prevent drowning, build confidence, and empower children to enjoy water safely.
Here's a look into how water safety is making a meaningful impact in our region.
BAYER YMCA
In St. Louis’s 63112 area, drowning is a significant concern, particularly among African American children, who nationally drown at nearly three times the rate of white children. Studies show that over 64% of African American children have little to no swimming ability, placing youth, teens, and adults at increased risk, especially in urban areas with limited access to swimming education.
The Bayer YMCA addresses this disparity through the Safety Around Water program, which teaches life-saving skills over eight engaging sessions. These sessions help kids acclimate to water and introduce techniques like “Jump, Push, Turn, Grab” and “Swim, Float, Swim,” building confidence and preparing them for unexpected situations. Each lesson also includes safety discussions and fun activities to reinforce water skills, making learning engaging and effective. Community support helps ensure these programs remain accessible and free for families. Together, we're building a safer, more confident generation of swimmers in 63112!
FOUR RIVERS YMCA
Meet Isaiah. He arrived at camp swim time during the first week of camp full of smiles and excitement. He hopped in the pool to take his safety swim test, but he failed to complete it. He was extremely upset and wanted to be like his friends swimming in the deep end. Isaiah was able to join our Go For Green program and received free swim lessons during camp at no charge. While completing his lessons with our swim instructor, he was able to build the skills and strength to pass the test. In the end, Isaiah passed and achieved his green swim band and spent the rest of his time at camp swimming safely in the deep end of the pool with friends having fun!
O'FALLON PARK REC COMPLEX
The O’Fallon Park Rec Complex MAKOS is a year-round competitive swim team committed to instilling in each athlete the four core values of the YMCA: Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility. The program is technique-based with an emphasis on quality over quantity. The MAKOS swim team is for boys and girls ages 5-18 who can swim at the Stage 5 Level and can swim all four competitive strokes (Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly) with good form and technique. The team practices four times per week (pool & dry land workout) and compete in local, city-wide, and statewide meets.
MONROE COUNTY YMCA - HTC CENTER
At the Monroe County YMCA - HTC Center, FUN is part of the YMCA, but so is safety. We keep infants, children and families safe with life-saving swimming lessons that teach the importance of water safety and drowning prevention. In 2024, our Y launched the Go For Green program for our campers, and the results were truly inspiring. In this program, campers were taught how to be safe around water through free swim instruction, were given the chance to pass a swim test, and earned the privilege to swim in the deep end. This year, 21 campers passed their swim test!
CARONDELET PARK REC COMPLEX
The Carondelet Park Rec Complex is committed to eliminating drowning by teaching water safety skills through swim lessons and free Safety Around Water programs. The Carondelet Park Rec Complex offers multiple different Safety Around Water programs:
- Go For Green: A program designed to ensure every child attending their YMCA Summer Day Camps can swim confidently and safely, especially in the deep end. This year we served 150 kids at camp.
- School Safety Around Water: We partner with Woerner School each year. In late 2024, the school brought 41 second graders to our branch twice a week for 4 weeks to take swim lessons and have recreational swim time. These lessons are completely free to parents and the school due to the gifts from our Annual Campaign.
- Swim Smart Program: We also offer subsidized swim lessons at just $10 (members) or $20 (non-members) to ensure that every child can learn to swim, regardless of financial situation or background.
WILDWOOD YMCA
The Wildwood Y is committed to teaching people that water should be fun, not feared, if you know how to stay safe in and around it. In 2023, over 900 individuals participated in our group swimming lessons. A partnership with the Eureka Lion’s Club made it possible to offer FREE swim lessons to another 100 children in the summer of 2023. But our pool is for more than just swimming lessons. We are proud to offer specialty swimming for both youth and adults across abilities through our Swim Team, Masters Swim Program, and Adaptive Swimming. Last year, 27 young swimmers were able to build strength, speed, and endurance while refining their stroke technique. 10 swimmers looking to improve their fitness routine had the opportunity to work with a certified coach to develop a unique individualized workout. Through a variety of weekly water fitness classes, people of all ages and backgrounds stay active, improve their health, reduce stress, gain strength, and find social connection.
DOWNTOWN BELLEVILLE YMCA - HTC CENTER
The Downtown Belleville YMCA - Kern Center is committed to drowning prevention, and the impact of our swim lessons speaks for itself:
“This was my first time going swimming at the YMCA. I think I improved a lot. I’m happy because I went to a water park and felt safe swimming for the first time.” -Kayla 9th Grade
“The YMCA swimming lessons have been a game changer for our kiddos. These free lessons have provided our youth with a life skill that they would not have otherwise had access to. We are so grateful to the YMCA!” -Kristy Frawley Director of Development & Communication, Catholic Urban Programs.
Your Support Makes a Splash
Drowning is preventable, and through your support, the Gateway Region YMCA is creating safer, stronger communities, one swimmer at a time. Whether it's a child passing their swim test for the first time, or a resident North County teen discovering endless possibilities in the pool, your involvement fuels these stories. As we recognize Water Safety Month this May, we invite you to dive in with us and make a splash in your community!
Explore Our Water Safety Resources