As summer approaches, prepare for the season with water safety in mind. Fairfax County Park Authority hosts many classes and educational opportunities that prepare people of all ages to be safe in and around the water.
All year, the Park Authority offers hundreds of swim lessons for ages 6 months to adult. The following six-week class sessions build skills and increase your suite of swim skills:
- Baby & Me (6 months-18 months)
- Toddler & Me (19 months-3 years)
- Pee Wee Paddler (age 3-7)
- Swimming for Children (age 6-12)
- Stroke Mechanics (age 6-18)
Children motivated to learn with a little competition can sign up for a team in FCPA’s Summer Swim League. Those ages 6 to 14 who know the basics can level up their skills with weekly practices and put these new skills to the test in the league’s swim meets.
Register for a Swim class by the June 16 deadline
Those looking for focused, private and semi-private swim lessons can sign up for One on One Swim Lessons or Small Group Swim Lessons. These opportunities help students improve aquatic proficiency, gain confidence and build skills in the pool with the guidance of the FCPA’s talented instructors.
FCPA does not stop there, our talented staff are taking water safety education into classrooms around Fairfax County this spring. Through June, aquatics staff are hosting Get Set, Get W.E.T. (Water Education Training) to educate thousands of local preschoolers about lifeguards’ role in keeping swimmers safe and the essential rules everyone should follow to ensure safety at the pool. The program features an interactive, short presentation designed for small groups of children. Sessions are packed with engaging stories and games that make learning about water safety both fun and memorable. Children get introduced to various water safety props, such as life jackets and rescue tubes, and receive coloring sheets that reinforce key water safety messages.
“A comprehensive water safety program such as Get Set, Get W.E.T. is essential in promoting accident prevention by equipping children with the knowledge and skills they need to stay safe in and around water. Through engaging education, practical demonstration and interactive activities, these programs instill a deep understanding of water hazards, the importance of supervision, and lifesaving techniques, ultimately reducing the risk of water-related accidents and fostering a culture of safety," said Sarah Barrack, Lifeguard Training Coordinator for FCPA.
FCPA is committed to equipping everyone in the community with the knowledge and skills needed to enjoy water safely this summer. Learn more by visiting the Swimming webpage.