The Swim for Fun/Swim for
Life program is designed to expose children to the benefits that
swimming provides for a healthy lifestyle. The children have the
option to come for one eight week session or multiple sessions.
When a child completes all levels of the lessons program, they may
choose to join HPSC’s competitive teams. HPSC has need-based
scholarship opportunities already in place for competitive swimmers.
Therefore, if a student decides this is a sport they want to continue,
there is support to continue at HPSC.
The children are provided
with a swimsuit, goggles, kickboard and towel. All of these items
have been donated by TYR, Pannell Swim Shop and the Marriot Courtyard in
High Point respectively. Children are also given a healthy snack
after their lesson to reinforce positive eating habits.
The goals for Swim for
Fun/Swim for Life are to help combat childhood obesity, teach water
safety and help build a positive self-image. Childhood obesity is
a growing concern among our youth and low-income and minority children
tend to be hit the hardest. Swimming is a life long sport which
combines strength training, flexibility, balance and increasing
cardiovascular health. Many low-income and minority children never
receive basic water safety instruction, therefore the incidence of
drowning is disproportionately high in these groups. Our goal is
to teach basic water safety that could someday save their lives.
While the main emphasis of this program is the actual swim lesson, other
life skills are taught, such as goal setting, positive reinforcement and
team interaction. Everyone can participate in swimming, no matter
what their coordination level, weight, height or other issues that may
cause self-esteem issues.