Press Release: 2024-10-22
Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Funding for Free Swim Lessons for Residents of All Ages
DCR is seeking partners to provide free swim lessons through the Safe Water Initiative MA; preference given to those that serve environmental justice communities
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
10/21/2024
MEDIA CONTACT
Brenna Galvin, DCR Press Secretary
Phone
Call Brenna Galvin, DCR Press Secretary at (617)686-4569
Online
Email Brenna Galvin, DCR Press Secretary at brenna.galvin@mass.gov
BOSTON — In an effort to enhance water safety across the state and expand access to swimming lessons, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that it is seeking partners to provide free swimming lessons to Massachusetts residents of all ages through the Safe Water Initiative Massachusetts (SWIM) program. The SWIM Request for Responses (RFR), distributed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), makes $350,000 available for nonprofit and private entities across the state to offer free, beginner swim lessons next summer.
“Every summer, DCR provides free swim lessons to more than a thousand children across the state, because we know that swimming is a critical life skill and funding shouldn’t be an obstacle,” said Governor Maura Healey. “The SWIM program significantly expands access to swim lessons by partnering with private organizations to reach people of all ages, especially those in underserved communities.”
“Everyone across the state should be able to have safe and fun experiences when visiting our state pools and waterfronts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “SWIM enables us to ensure that people have access to swim lessons so that they can safely access recreational opportunities on the water during the hot summer months.”
The program is seeking nonprofit and for-profit partners that can provide free beginner group swim lessons at non-DCR properties to Massachusetts children and adults. All instructors must hold Red Cross Water Safety Instructor certification, or industry equivalent. The SWIM program will accept applications for funding and enroll organizations on a rolling basis, with all funding distributed by June 30, 2025. Using the RFR process, DCR will award contracts to qualified vendors based upon responses and service capabilities with preference given to applicants that serve environmental justice (EJ) communities.
“Ensuring people know how to swim as our summers get hotter and hotter is a matter of equity,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “The SWIM program funding enables more people to access free swim lessons so they can safely cool down at our DCR waterfronts and pools throughout the hot summer months.”
“In an effort to provide equal access to safe recreational experiences during the summer, DCR is committed to providing swim lessons to anyone of any age looking to learn,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “Every year, DCR provides free swim lessons to children through the agency’s Learn to Swim program and SWIM allows us to expand this effort to reach even more children and adults across the state.”
In addition to the SWIM program, DCR provides free swimming lessons at select agency-managed pools every July and August through the agency’s Learn to Swim program. Last summer, DCR staff provided free swimming lessons to more than 1,000 young people at 14 DCR swimming pools across Massachusetts over three, two-week sessions. The SWIM program helps more residents in more communities across the state learn to swim – with a focus on those most in need.
In addition to swim lessons, DCR works to ensure the safety of families and children at agency managed waterfronts and pools each summer through a number of different measures including regular water quality testing, multilingual water safety signage, and installing life rings at all beaches, as well as using ropes and buoys to mark safe swimming areas. Each year, the agency also hires approximately 700 lifeguards each summer to work at the agency’s guarded beaches and pools.
Interested organizations can submit a bid and other necessary materials online using the RFR.