The Newton YMCA is devoted to the well-being of every person in our community, including and especially children. According to the CDC, drowning remains a leading cause of death among children, with a significant percentage occurring within range of their guardian. 9 in 10 parents view swimming as an essential life skill, as does everyone here at the YMCA. As America’s most trusted swim instructor, the YMCA teaches children of all ages and from all backgrounds that water should be fun, not feared, if you know how to stay safe in and around water.

To that end, the Newton YMCA is again partnering with the Newton Community School District to offer our Safety Around Water (SAW) program to their students. NCSD is similarly committed to this cause, and is dedicating curriculum time out of the school day, PE teachers and transportation to and from the YMCA. All second graders in Newton elementary schools will be offered this opportunity free of charge.

The SAW program consists of eight 30-minute swim lessons focusing on water awareness and various skills to strengthen their ability to be safe in aquatic situations. Children learn fundamental water safety skills including assessing if a place is safe to swim, how to swim short distances, roll over to their back to rest, and then roll on their front to continue swimming to safety.

A very special thank you to our sponsors who enable us to provide this program at no cost to you: The Rotary Club of Newton, Jasper Community Foundation, and the Newton Community School District.

​Through this program, we hope to reduce the risk of drownings, provide a sense of accomplishment to our students, help them overcome any fears of and understand how to be safe around water, and begin developing an aquatic skill set that can be enjoyed the rest of their lives.