Water Safety

Bemidji Parks & Recreation in partnership with Bemidji State University (BSU) will increase access to water safety instruction for youth ages 5-14 within in Beltrami County. The overall goal is to provide swim lessons and to increase the knowledge of water safety skills to at-risk youth. The swim lessons will be based on the American Red Cross Learn to Swim Program as well as provide Lifeguard/Water safety instructor courses. All instructors are certified and will provide high-quality water safety instruction. The primary project goals are to provide 144 scholarships to high-risk youth for traditional swim lessons, and 22 scholarships to a lifeguard training course or the water safety instructor course. Free swim equipment will also be available to those who qualify for scholarships. This equipment will include 500 goggles and lifejacket stations at the three local beach areas. Finally, 120 swim passes to the BSU lifeguarded pool will be available to those who receive a scholarship. The benefit of providing scholarships will increase swim skills in the high-risk youth in the Bemidji area. The lessons will also decrease drowning incidents, decrease barriers to accessing swimming lessons with qualified instructors, and decrease barriers to water recreation areas with lifeguards. Bemidji Parks & Recreation is very excited to partner with Bemidji State University to provide these swim lesson opportunities to the community.