The American Red Cross of Central Illinois, in partnership with the Bloomington-Normal YMCA, has launched a summer swim and water safety program for 50 children from the Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal. Running through August 1, the program combines pool time with classroom-based water safety education using the Red Cross Longfellow’s WHALE Tales curriculum.

For more than 100 years, the American Red Cross has been making water a safer place for everyone by developing the training that enables facilities to deliver lifeguard and lifeguard instructor training, Water Safety Instructor® training and swim lessons. Through these efforts, the Red Cross has helped to reduce accidental drownings by 90% nationwide. But even with that improvement, an estimated 4,000 people fatally drown in the U.S. each year. 

“At the Red Cross, we believe one of the most effective ways to prevent drowning is by teaching children how to be safer in, on, and around water — and doing it in a way that’s fun and engaging,” said Lyn Hruska, Executive Director of the Red Cross of Central Illinois.

The Red Cross recently revamped its Longfellow’s WHALE Tales Water Safety for Children program. The no-cost program is designed to help children from all backgrounds in kindergarten through 5^th grade learn vital water safety behaviors without having to be in or near the water.

“We want to give every child a foundation of confidence and safety around water,” said Tim Ready, Senior Director of Aquatics for the Bloomington-Normal YMCA. “We encourage families to take part—learn to swim and talk openly about water safety. These skills last a lifetime and can help save lives.”

Educators, swim instructors, parents, caregivers and others can teach critical water safety lessons to children before the swim season kicks off. WHALE Tales are short, engaging and age-appropriate lessons that cover important water safety topics in different environments such as pools, waterparks, oceans, lakes and rivers. The free downloadable resources include lesson plans, course presentations and engaging materials such as videos and activity sheets and can be accessed at redcross.org/WHALEtales. If you’re a parent or caregiver teaching your own children, visit redcross.org.watersafetyforkids.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with the American Red Cross for a second year in a row to facilitate this summer swim and water safety program to the Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal,” said BJ Wilken, CEO & Executive Director of the Bloomington-Normal YMCA.

To find Red Cross swim programs or download the free Red Cross Swim app, visit redcross.org/watersafety. The Red Cross Swim app can help children and adults learn with kid-friendly video and activities on mobile devices. Do your part. Be “water smart.”

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.