UNION COUNTY, NJ — The Union County Board of Commissioners, in partnership with the Gateway Family YMCA, has announced the return of free swimming lessons for youth and seniors in the county this summer at the Walter E. Ulrich Memorial Pool in Rahway.
“Water safety is an important tool for everyone to have, especially children and seniors,” said Union County Chair Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “These two groups are at highest risk for drowning injuries, which is the leading cause of death in children ages 1-4. These free classes will empower children to have a safe and healthy summer and provide everyone with the knowledge and practices they need to stay safe around the water. Senior swim exercise lessons not only give seniors an opportunity to exercise in a low-impact environment, but also socialize in our spacious county pool. We encourage everyone, young and old, to take advantage of these lessons.”
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Children/participants must live in a low-income household and meet the eligibility criteria for QCT, TANF, SNAP, NSLP, SBP, Medicare Part D, SSI, Head Start and Early Head Start, Women's Supplemental Nutrition Program (WIC), Section 8 Housing, LIHEAP, or Pell Grant and provide proof at the time of enrollment, or be 65 years of age or older.
Swimming lessons will be held at the Walter E. Ulrich Memorial Pool, located at 3 Parkway Drive in Laway, with a variety of courses available for everyone from children to seniors.
Youth Beginner: Students become familiar with underwater exploration and focus on underwater body position and control, turning and propulsion while also practicing how to safely escape if fallen in. Classes meet once a week for eight weeks with a ratio of six students to one instructor. Thursday classes are held once a week for seven weeks in observance of the Fourth of July holiday.
- Thursday 9:50 – 10:30 AM (ages 3-5) 7/11, 7/18, 7/25, 8/1, 8/8, 8/15, 8/22
- Thursday 11:20am-12:00pm (ages 3-5) 7/11, 7/18, 7/25, 8/1, 8/8, 8/15, 8/22
- Thursday 10:35 – 11:15 AM (ages 6-12) 7/11, 7/18, 7/25, 8/1, 8/8, 8/15, 8/22
- Thursday 11:20am-12pm (ages 6-12) 7/11, 7/18, 7/25, 8/1, 8/8, 8/15, 8/22
Youth Foundation Lessons: Students learn to swim greater distances and to safety than in previous stages through crawl and backcrown stroke techniques. They are also introduced to rhythmic breathing and coordinated arm and leg movements. Water safety is reinforced through treadmill swimming and back floating. Classes meet once a week for eight weeks with a ratio of six students to one instructor. Thursday classes meet once a week for seven weeks in observance of the Fourth of July holiday.
- Tuesday 6:45 – 7:25 PM (ages 6-12) 7/2, 7/9, 7/16, 7/23, 7/30, 8/6, 8/13, 8/20
- Thursday 9:05 – 9:45 AM (ages 3-5) 7/11, 7/18, 7/25, 8/1, 8/8, 8/15, 8/22
- Thursday 10:35 – 11:15 AM (ages 3-5) 7/11, 7/18, 7/25, 8/1, 8/8, 8/15, 8/22
- Thursday 6:45 – 7:25 PM (ages 6-12) 7/11, 7/18, 7/25, 8/1, 8/8, 8/15, 8/22
Senior Adult Lessons: Students become comfortable with underwater exploration and continue practicing safety skills such as lying on their back and floating while focusing on body position and control, turning and forward movement in the water. Classes meet once a week for eight weeks with a ratio of six students to one instructor. Thursday classes meet once a week for seven weeks in observance of the Fourth of July holiday.
- Tuesday 6:00pm – 6:40pm 7/2, 7/9, 7/16, 7/23, 7/30, 8/6, 8/13, 8/20
- Thursday 9:50 – 10:30 AM 7/11, 7/18, 7/25, 8/1, 8/8, 8/15, 8/22
- Thursday 6:00 PM – 6:40 PM 7/11, 7/18, 7/25, 8/1, 8/8, 8/15, 8/22
Water Exercise for Seniors: Participants engage in low-impact exercise with an emphasis on muscle toning and cardiovascular endurance, especially for those looking to exercise without putting stress on their joints. Classes meet once a week for eight weeks.
- Wednesday 9:00am – 9:40am 7/3, 7/10, 7/17, 7/24, 7/31, 8/7, 8/14, 8/21
For more information on eligibility requirements and to register for lessons, visit www.ucnj.org/swim For more information on the various programs offered by the Union County Parks and Recreation Department, visit www.ucnj.org/parks
