ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Sometimes, a live-saving program can be summed up in just a few words.
In this instance, they came from the lips of a child nearly small enough to nap under a toadstool just a short time ago.
“I’m going swimming so I don’t drowned!” the boy said excitedly trotting across the Cedar Beach Pool deck on Tuesday morning at the launch of the River Crossing YMCA’s Safety Around Water, or SAW, swim education program.
Despite the youngster’s word mispronunciation, his message was as clear as the pool's crystal-clear water.
"As the national leader in safety around water and swim lessons, our Y is excited to bring these essential skills to Allentown families.”Kate Cohen, River Crossings YMCA
Funded by a generous donation from Nazareth resident Ken Termini, the CAI United Fund and Step Into Swim, River Crossing YMCA is providing free swim lessons and water safety education to Allentown children and adults at Irving Pool, Boys and Girls Club of Allentown and Cedar Beach Pool.
The program introduces non-swimmers to the water, equipping them with critical life skills that encourage safety and help them become confident in and around water.
'Removing the barriers to access'
Certified YMCA instructors teach the lessons in two, four-week sessions, with each class lasting 45 minutes.
A typical session consists of:
- Exercises to help children adjust to being water
- Instruction in “Jump, Push, Turn, Grab” and “Swim, Float, Swim” — skill sets children can use if they unexpectedly find themselves in water
- An activity that teaches children about specific safety topics such as pool rules and boating safety
- A fun game to encourage comfort and activity around water
“This collaboration allows us to bring life saving swim lessons and water safety programs directly to our city pools,” said Lucinda Wright, Allentown deputy director of parks and recreation, during the hour-long program.
“By offering free programs, we’re removing the barriers to access and ensuring every child in Allentown has a chance to gain critical skills that build confidence, foster inclusion and ensure a safe future.”
'Really the fountains of youth'
More than 140 children are registered for the SAW program, which gained additional significance in the aftermath of the drowning death of a 14-year-old Allentown boy in Jordan Creek this month.
"Learning how to swim is crucial for the safety of our youth during the summer months."State Sen. Nick Miller
“Drowning is No. 1 in related deaths of children 1 to 4 years old,” said Trish Feinthel, chief operations officer at River Crossings YMCA.
“And drowning is the second-leading cause of death for children between 1 and 14 years old.
“These pools are really the fountains of youth.”
Tuesday’s event was attended by state Sen. Nick Miller, D-14th District, and representatives of state Rep. Pete Schweyer, D-134th District; Rep. Josh Siegel, D-22nd District; and Jarrett Coleman, R-16th District.
"Learning how to swim is crucial for the safety of our youth during the summer months," Miller said. "Growing up, I would visit Cedar Beach Pool and learned how to swim at the YMCA.
"Programs like this profoundly impact the lives of local families by giving them the access to life-saving water safety education in their own neighborhoods."
'Training might be able to prevent tragedy'
Termini, 61, the program's donor, knows full well the importance of learning to swim.
He grew up at the YMCA, was a lifeguard at the Allentown Y as a youth and worked at the Y’s resident camp, where he directed its waterfront activities.
Today, he’s still swimming — competing in the Navy SEAL Foundation New York City SEAL Swim open-water event again in August.
“Another thing is, the thing about the Lehigh Valley is that we have a lot of rivers and quarries and natural man-made water features that in the summer are enticing and dangerous for children."Ken Termini
But while his swim strokes will take place in New York, his heart remains in Allentown.
Upon learning the swimming pool at the Allentown YMCA is not open, Termini decided to donate funding to help cover the cost of swim lessons for children and adults, he said.
“Unfortunately, every summer we read about tragedies where children or even adults lose their life in and around the Lehigh Valley.
"So hopefully, this type of training might be able to prevent tragedy this summer or sometime down the road.”
'More peace of mind for adults'
Termini said he learned about Step Into Swim from the wife of former Philadelphia Flyers star Tim Kerr during a swim charities event in New Jersey last year.
She introduced Termini to 1984 US Olympic swimming gold medalist Rowdy Gaines, who founded Step Into Swim to raise funding for swim lessons for children in underserved areas.
Termini believed Step Into Swim and the River Crossing YMCA would be a perfect match.
“I called Kate Cohen [River Crossing YMCA vice president of institutional advancement] and she loved the idea,” Termini said. “Eight months later, here we are.”
Added Cohen: “Safety around water skills make for more fun summers for kids, and more peace of mind for adults.
“As the national leader in safety around water and swim lessons, our Y is excited to bring these essential skills to Allentown families.”
