Wednesday, August 3, 2016
By Shelby Lindrud
A water safety course will be held next week at the Dorothy Olson Aquatic Center in Willmar. (Briana Sanchez / Tribune)
WILLMAR—The Kandiyohi County Area Family YMCA and Willmar Community Education and Recreation are working together to do their part in preventing tragedy at the lake or pool.
On Aug. 15 at the Dorothy Olson Aquatic Center, three sessions of a basic water safety course will be given for free to children 6 to 11 years old.
"We're focusing on non-swimmers," said Pam Vruwink, of Willmar Community Education and Recreation.
Staff and volunteers will be on hand at each class to teach children how to be safe when on, in or near water. Subjects to be covered during the event are basic water acclimation, lifejacket safety, how to assist if someone is struggling in the water and boating/docking safety. This is not a swimming lesson but a chance to teach water safety to children who might not have had the opportunity to learn before.
A class will be held at 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Aug. 15.
Registration for the class is available on the Community Education website at www.willmar.k12.mn.us/communityed. Those interested in registering their children can also call the YMCA at 320-222-9622 or Community Education and Recreation at 320-231-8490.
"We're encouraging pre-registration," said Theresa Hillis, executive director of the YMCA. However, children will be accepted at the door as well.
"It is the first time we've ever done this," Hillis said, so planners are not sure how many children to expect.
While the class is for children, a parent will need to attend as well. Hillis said the hope is to pass along the safety tips to parents as well during the course.
Community Recreation and the YMCA are also looking for volunteers for the event.
"We have half of what we need," Hillis said.
Volunteers do not need to be licensed lifeguards or water instructors, but they should be able to swim, comfortable in the water and work well with kids. There is also a need for Spanish and Somali translators who could work in and out of the water. Those interested in being volunteers can contact Hillis at [email protected] or Vruwink at [email protected].
Hillis said there has already been many supporters of the class.
"We're grateful for the community support," Hillis said.