City of Providence, YMCA Offering Free Swim Lessons, Teen and Family Nights at City Pools Providence youth and teens ages 3-18 invited to sign up for free swimming lessons

PROVIDENCE, RI – The City of Providence and the East Side/Mt. Hope YMCA have teamed up to provide city youth and teens ages 3-18 with free swim lessons at city outdoor recreation pools. The lessons are being offered at all Providence pools on weekday mornings through Friday, August 16.

“Swimming is an essential life skill, and all children should have the opportunity to learn to swim,” said Mayor Angel Taveras. “We are grateful to the YMCA of Greater Providence for extending their support and helping to ensure that children and teens learn to swim in a safe environment that keeps them actively engaged.

The Taveras administration and Mayor Taveras personally have engaged in conversations with the YMCA over the past year and a half to partner with the YMCA to provide swim lessons at all of the City’s pools. The cost to hire, train and certify swim instructors is beyond what the City can provide.

“The YMCA of Greater Providence is proud to partner with the City in doing what it can to strengthen water safety skills, which in turn will help to also build confidence and competence in our youth,” said Jim Berson, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Providence.

The free lessons are scheduled at the following locations:

Almagno Pool at Neutaconkanut Recreation Center – 675 Plainfield Street

Thursdays at 10 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

McGrane Pool at West End Recreation Center – 404 Dexter Street

Fridays at 10 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

Selim Rogers Recreation Center – 60 Camden Avenue

Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

Zuccolo Recreation Center – 18 Gesler Street

Tuesdays at 10 a.m.

Registration forms are available online: http://www.providenceri.com/efile/4701

Registration forms must be completed by a parent or guardian and can be brought to the pool where the youth will take his or her swim lesson.

Swim lessons are also being offered for all recreation day camp participants in partnership with the East Side/Mt. Hope YMCA. The Vincent Brown Day Camp has a regular lesson and swim time at the East Side/Mt. Hope YMCA pool. The Davey Lopes Day Camp and South Providence Day Camp also have lessons and pool activities on Tuesdays at the Zuccolo Pool. Each camp has a two-hour block of time reserved exclusively for their camp.

The Providence Recreation Department will also host teen and family nights in partnership with the East Side/Mt. Hope YMCA. Teen pool games and activities will be held on Wednesday and Friday evenings from 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Selim-Rogers Pool. Fridays are family nights at the McGrane Pool from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., featuring family games and activities. All teen and family nights are free and open to the public.

The Recreation Department is also providing a Family Swim Night with aquatic games and water polo at McGrane Pool on Fridays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Y On the Move

The Greater Providence YMCA is also partnering with the City to bring Y on the Move to six different neighborhood parks weekly, on a rotating business. Programming, which runs from July 1 – August 16 includes nutrition education and physical activities. The Y on the Move Truck will also bring the inflatable obstacle course on select days.

Y On the Move will visit the following locations throughout the summer (dates and times may vary slightly based on enrollment):

Dexter Park – 73 Dexter Street

Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Wiggins Village – 207 Cranston Street

Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Al Carrington Water Park – 64 Richardson Street

Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and Friday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Bucklin Park – 109 Bucklin St.

Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Riverside Park – 50 Aleppo Street

Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Sackett Street Park – 110 Sackett Street

Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

For more information, please call Dulli Haag, community outreach director for Y On the Move, at 265-4180.

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