Free North Shore Swim Lessons Through State Program

PEABODY, MA — The YMCA of Metro North in Peabody and YMCA of the North Shore in Beverly are among the 14 urban locations across the state that will be offering free beginner swim lessons this summer through the Department of Conservation and Recreation Safe Water Initiative Massachusetts.

The program awarded $372,000 to the locations with a preference going to applicants that serve environmental justice communities.

"As a former lifeguard, I know how important it is to provide a fun and safe environment at our beaches and pools, and one of the best ways is ensuring people of all ages know how to swim," Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said. "DCR provides free swim lessons to hundreds of children every year, and the SWIM program helps us expand these lessons to everyone, particularly in environmental
justice communities."

The SWIM program is designed to provide water safety and equity for families in urban areas as the climate crisis leads to hotter summers.

"At the Y, we are committed to reducing the inequities that prevent children from gaining access to life-saving swim lessons," said Jessica Murray, Association Aquatics Director at the YMCA of Metro North in Peabody. "Partnerships, like with DCR, help us provide more free swim lessons to ensure children have the knowledge and skills to stay safe in the water."

YMCA of the North Shore Chief Operations Officer Greg MacKillop said the Beverly YMCA will partner with DCR to offer beginner lessons to 200 preschoolers in its Early Learning Centers to help eliminate the time, transportation and financial barriers that prevent families from enrolling in swim lessons for their children.

"These grant funds will play an important role in helping our Y achieve one of our top priorities — ensuring that every child aged 3 to 5 in our care learns the invaluable life skills of swimming and safety around water," MacKillop said.

North Shore residents can contact the YMCAs in Beverly and Peabody to find out more about how to access the free lessons.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)