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Photo of children participating in swimming lessons

Lincoln YMCAs to Host Swimsuit Drive

May 10-23  | Donate at any Lincoln YMCA branch

The YMCA of Lincoln is excited to share that we have the opportunity this summer to teach more than 140 children in our Community Learning Centers how to swim, along with life-saving water safety skills. This opportunity is made possible by a swimming lesson grant through Y-USA as well as the partnership between the Northeast Y, Lincoln Public Schools, Lincoln Community Learning Centers, and Family Service Lincoln.

Two of the biggest barriers families face when wanting to provide swim lessons for their children are transportation and cost-both for the lessons and swimsuits. From May 10-23, the Lincoln YMCA will be holding an association-wide Swimsuit Drive, collecting new and gently used swimsuits for youth enrolled in our 2021 grant-based swim lessons. 

To participate, donors can drop off swimsuits at any of the four Lincoln YMCA locations. Sizes needed are youth XS-XL for boys and girls (one-piece preferred). Swimsuits will be distributed to students attention Elliott, Pershing, and other surrounding Community Learning Centers, with swim lessons beginning June 1.

Drop-off Locations:

Cooper YMCA - 6767 S. 14th Street
Copple Family YMCA - 8700 Yankee Woods Drive
Fallbrook YMCA - 700 Penrose Drive
Northeast YMCA - 2601 N. 70th Street

Gift cards and monetary donations will also be accepted. Please drop off at the Front Desk of any Lincoln YMCA branch or mail to the YMCA of Lincoln: 570 Fallbrook Blvd, Ste 210, Lincoln NE 68521 (Memo: Swimsuit Drive).

More About the Swimming Lesson Grant

Beginning June 1, the program consists of eight, 40 minute swim lessons held at Lincoln High and Northeast High Schools using the Y-USA Safety Around Water curriculum.

Offering swimming lessons in the summer has made the program's swimming field trips safer. The kids also gain lifelong skills that make them safer around water. This opportunity enhances the current Extended Learning Opportunities at Elliott, Pershing, Riley, and Huntington elementary schools by increasing confidence levels in students who participate as well as their overall safety around water.

At the end of lessons, participants receive a certificate of achievement. In the past three years, we have tracked the participants swim level. Most recently, participants have finished with an overall 60% pass rate, 40% passed the Parks and Recreation swim tests, and 100% learned to swim and float.