ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) — The YMCA of Ithaca and Tompkins County has been awarded $100,000 from the Alliance of New York State YMCAs to provide free swim lessons for kids ages 6 months old to 12 years old.
The swim lessons will be available on a first come, first serve basis through August 2027. Children eligible can participate in up to three multi-week swim lesson sessions, each lasting 6 to 8 weeks. Those who enroll will have access to 24 free swim lessons between June 2026 and August 2027.
“Learning to swim is not a luxury, it is a life-saving skill,” said Gunnar Madison, Regional Executive Director of the YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County. “We know that significant disparities exist in access to swim lessons and water safety education, particularly among low-income families, communities of color, and children with developmental disabilities. This funding allows us to address those inequities head-on by reducing barriers to participation and ensuring more children have access to high-quality swim instruction. Ultimately, this investment will help save lives, build confidence, and create a safer, healthier community.”
Contact Swim Lesson Coordinator Suzanne Conner at sconner@ithacaymca.com for more information, or visit the YMCA of Ithaca and Tompkins County Aquatics page here.
