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Prescott finds solutions to bring swimming and drowning prevention training to students.

PRESCOTT-Students at Prescott Schools will soon be headed to the Walla Walla YMCA for swimming, CPR, and first aid courses. WWYMCA Executive Director Karen Hedine shared that the new program was made possible through a Community Impact Grant, offered by the Sherwood Trust.

Hedine said the grant supports two primary objectives: Providing drowning prevention and swim lessons for all Prescott School District elementary students, and providing American Red Cross certification in First Aid and CPR, as well as lifeguarding skills and training for high school students.

The project is a collaboration between the WWYMCA, the Prescott School District, and the Prescott Joint Parks and Recreation department. According to Hedine, Superintendent Justin Bradford will coordinate the program's schedule. Elementary swimming lessons will be taught at the Y's pool, in Walla Walla. High school classes will begin on the Prescott campus shortly, Hedine shared, but COVID-19 has slowed things down a bit.

"Water safety lessons decrease drowning risk by up to 88%," Hedine wrote, in an email. "Children who learn to swim, build confidence, endurance, muscle strength, and cardiovascular fitness; they maintain a healthy weight, improve heart and lung health, and reduce chronic diseases, like asthma."

CPR and First-aid training will help students qualify as lifeguards and swim instructors for the Prescott pool. The training also helps students develop leadership and decision-making skills.

Hedine said that the Y covers the cost of all training, and pays a stipend to the students who put in the needed hours to pass the lifeguard class. Details are still being finalized, but Hedine did confirm that the Parks and Rec department is entering an agreement with the YMCA to run the pool this summer. More details will be released at a later time.