Swim Safe Initiatives

The YMCA helps youth develop valuable skills and a lifetime love of the water, while instilling responsibility and safety instruction.

2nd Grade Swim

With drowning the leading cause of accidental death for children at the early elementary-school age, the YMCA— “America’s Swim Instructor”— seeks to ensure that every NYC public school 2nd grader has the opportunity to participate in free swimming and water safety lessons at one of 17 local YMCA branches as part of the school day. 2nd Grade Swim teaches more than 3,000 kids ages 6-7 how to swim. Learn more.

Y Splash!

A week of free swim lessons to help people of all ages, especially children and families, learn basic swimming skills and water safety practices— essential “survival skills” that build self-confidence and self-esteem in children and adults. Y Splash! is offered annually during the NYC public school spring break. Find your nearest participating YMCA.