Kids are beating the heat and learning important life lessons at Oestreich Swimming Pool in Fulton.
"(Learning to swim) is one of life's most important lessons," said Lori Bernicky, a mother of two children participating in swim lessons sponsored by the Fulton Parks and Recreation Department. "My kids have gone from not being able to put their face in the water to being able to swim halfway across the pool."
According to reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are nearly 3,500 unintentional drownings annually in the United States. One of the suggestions the CDC makes to families with children 14 and under is to enroll them in swim lessons.
Sharlene McArtor, the recreation programmer for Fulton Parks and Rec, said swim lessons are divided into two two-week sessions. Each day from 9:50-11:45 a.m., participants are taught by a staff of certified lifeguards.
"(They teach) instructional water safety skills and basics on how to do the fundamentals of each stroke," she said. "This is the last week of the first session, and we have another session that starts next week."
Hillary Fry, one of the six lifeguards teaching lessons Wednesday morning, said the challenges of teaching children how to swim are far
outweighed by the satisfaction of watching a child learn.
"It's fun. It's challenging at times, but it's a good feeling when you get to teach a kid a new technique and they feel more comfortable in the water," she said.
Along with the lifesaving skills children learn at swim lessons, they also have a great time, Bernicky said.
"They love it," she said. "Every day they get up and ask 'Is it time for swim lessons?' The instructors are very good, and there's a great bond between them and the kids."
Parents can sign their children up for the second session of swim lessons, which begin on Monday, in one of two ways.
"They can get on our website or come to the Parks and Rec office at City Hall," McArtor said.
Lessons cost $65 for the session, and they are open to ages 3-12.