All first and second graders who live within the boundaries of the Waukegan Park District have the opportunity to learn to swim for free as part of the Smart Swim initiative.
Although the kids may not be able to swim in a pool by the time they complete the program, Park Service Aquatics Superintendent Tony Strzok, who is in charge of the swimming program, said they will be learning basic skills that could save their lives.
“They'll learn how to stay afloat until they can get to a safe place where someone can help them,” he said. “We're a lakeside community, so it's important for kids to learn how to be comfortable in the water.”
The Smart Swim Initiative received the National Recreation and Park Association's Innovation in Health award on May 20 for the program's “fostering a culture of health in the community,” according to information on the organization's website.
In addition to its first national award in 11 years, the park district also won a second award when fitness and aquatics manager Javier Martinez won the association's Robert W. Crawford Young Professional of the Year award.
Park district Executive Director Jay Lerner said Tuesday that winning the two awards related to the Smart Swim initiative is a testament to the leadership abilities of Martinez, 30, who joined the park district six years ago and has been promoted several times since then.
“If his 30s and 40s are anything like his 20s, he has a bright future,” Lerner said. “This is a great honor. This is an honor for the whole of America.”
Strzok said the Swim Smart initiative has three parts: free swim lessons for area first-graders who have never had swim lessons before, a field trip for all second-graders and their classmates, and the annual Family Splash Bash.
Being comfortable in the water is essential. Martinez, who grew up swimming at Waukegan Beach, said swimming is both a life-saving skill and good exercise, so building comfort at an early age is crucial.
“If you're not comfortable in the water, you're not safe,” Martinez said.
Martinez said whether or not sophomores are in the freshman program, they will participate in a sophomore field trip to the Fieldhouse Sports, Fitness & Aquatics Center.
All second-graders in Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 are rotating through the schools. Martinez said several private schools are also participating and the park district is reaching out to the Gurnee and Beach Park school districts within its jurisdiction.
When the second-graders arrive at the pool, Strack said they start by getting them used to being in the water in the classroom. Everyone is given a swimsuit so they can feel comfortable in the water with their classmates.
“It's similar to the first-grade lessons but a little more condensed,” he said. “We get them used to floating and we get them doing the crawl and backstroke.”
Carolina Fabian, a School District 60 board of education member and district administrator when the program began in 2018, said it was the first free, comprehensive field trip students had participated in.
“It's really important for kids to know how to swim, especially for kids who can't afford lessons,” Fabian said. “They all at least know how to float. They learn to kick their feet and swim.”
As important as it is for kids to get used to the water, Strack said families can relax in the pool, which is good for both parents and kids. One night a year, residents' entire families can enjoy the pool for $10; out-of-district residents pay $14.
Strack, who joined the Park District about two years ago, said working under Martinez has helped him hone his management skills — not only has it improved his problem-solving abilities, but it's also helped him improve in other areas of his job.
“He has great communication skills,” Strzok said, “and he's helped me learn how to work with different people and come up with different solutions. He's done a lot for us at the Park Service.”
Lerner said Martinez is a bilingual Waukegan native who experienced park district programs as a child, and his innate knowledge of the city helps him understand the people who participate in park district programs.
“He grew up in the community and now he's giving back to the community he grew up in,” Lerner said. “He's a future leader in the community.”
