Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Dayton students lined up on the Y's pool edge during a swim lesson. The Friends of the Pool in Dayton, Walla Walla Y, and the Dayton School District worked together to support students in water safety. The season was a success and plans for next year include expanding the program through 5th grade.
Dayton students at the Walla Walla Y pool.
DAYTON - Dayton Elementary School's 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-grade students completed swimming lessons at the Walla Walla Y (formerly the YMCA) in February and March. The school provided transportation to the pool.
The Friends of the Pool Committee covered transportation and lesson expenses, supported by grants from the Innovia Foundation, Warren Foundation, Columbia County/Dayton Community Foundation, and the Exchange Club of Walla Walla.
Dayton School District pays reduced fees for the lessons through the Y's support for swimming lessons in outlying communities. The Dayton Parks and Recreation District and Friends of the Pool Committee believe the swim lesson program is essential for water safety among Columbia County children. Particularly as work to build a community pool is underway.
Dayton students at the Walla Walla Y pool.
In the program's second year, the committee aimed to include students in 3rd through 5th grade. However, scheduling conflicts and state testing prevented 4th- and 5th-graders from participating. Funds remain available for these grades if future scheduling allows.
Friends of the Pool will also sponsor training for older, experienced county swimmers in lifesaving and water safety instruction through Red Cross-certified programs. Interested individuals should contact the Walla Walla Y directly. Several local youths have earned safety certifications over the past two years.
The Friends of the Pool Committee will allocate previously donated funds to support the upcoming Duck Derby fundraiser for the Columbia County Parks & Recreation Pool District. The district will host the Duck in a Truck event during Alumni Weekend in July. Numbered, pre-purchased plastic ducks will be released from a McKinley belly dump truck onto a target on Dayton's Main Street, with cash prizes awarded. Tickets will be available starting April 1 at the Chamber Office and from Parks and Recreation Pool Commissioners.
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