The World’s Largest Swim Lesson™ Working to Prevent Childhood Drowning on June 22, 2023

The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™ sends the message Swimming Lessons Save Lives™ to millions with a unified 24-hour global event.

YMCA swim lessonOn Thursday, June 22nd, 2023, tens of thousands of kids and adults at aquatic facilities worldwide will unite for the 14th year in a row to spread the word Swimming Lessons Save Lives™.  A global event, The World’s Largest Swim Lesson ™ (WLSL), will be taking place over 24 hours at hundreds of aquatic centers, swim schools and waterparks.

Recent studies show that TEAM WLSLTM continues to make a difference.  According to the American Red Cross, data from 2020 shows an increase in children’s water competency and in the overall number of people taking swimming lessons.  But there’s more work to be done.  Research released by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2021 shows drowning has become THE Leading cause of unintended death for U.S. children ages 1-4-number one, ahead of car accidents, birth abnormalities and cancer.  And, drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury-related death throughout the rest of the world.  This issue is truly a matter of life and death for kids and families, regardless of race, economics or geography.

YMCA of Frederick County, Downtown Y, and Natelli Family Y, will be serving as official Host Location Facilities for the 2023 WLSL event.

This one-hour water safety course will be free. Donate to the YMCA of Frederick County Annual Campaign to ensure programs like this continue.

Volunteers are needed to make this event a success. Visit our volunteer webpage to learn more or email Sara Ryan at sryan@frederickymca.org.