hcs LEARN TO SWIM PROGRAM

The mission of the HVA Learn to Swim Program is to provide free swim instruction to all Hampton City Schools second graders. Instruction occurs over a five-day period, where students learn the five basic skills of swimming: Water Comfort, Breath Control, Floating, Kicking and Strokes. 

Teaching Hampton’s School-Age Children to Swim Safely 

Swimming is an essential skill that all children should learn; however, many Hampton Roads residents do not know how to swim. Aquatic programming presented at the Hampton Virginia Aquaplex will provide family learn-to-swim opportunities, along with programming for every age level. According to the Center for Disease Control, swimming is the number one activity among kids and teens in the U.S.  (US Census Bureau, CDC), but while the average high school swimmer swims one-million strokes per season, most of our nation’s population cannot swim. 

Diminish Drowning

The City of Hampton envisions a city of swimmers, where residents and visitors alike are able to enjoy water recreation with confidence in their swimming ability. Just four in ten parents of children ages 4-17 report that their child can perform all five basic swimming skills, yet more than nine in 10 (92%) say that their child is likely to participate in water activities this summer. Every day in the U.S. an average of 10 people drown – 20% of them are children aged 14 or younger, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Parents play an important role in ending the cycle of drownings resulting from the inability to swim. Drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional injury death for children and sixth for people of all ages. For every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries. Your financial support can make Hampton’s vision a reality.

Once the essential swimming skills are learned, the Hampton Virginia Aquaplex presents opportunities for further instruction and eventual participation in recreational or competitive swimming and diving.   

GET INVOLVED

Hampton Virginia Aquaplex presents a highly visible way to gain awareness and support for your organization and brand while making a huge impact in our community.

From sponsoring equipment to contributing to the overall programming of this initiative, your business will play an integral role in promoting safe swimming and overall quality of life in our community.

We’re a waterfront community, and our children without basic swimming competencies are at-risk. Any amount helps to make the Hampton City Public Schools Learn to Swim program possible.

Donations are being accepted through PlayOn, our charitable arm, which provides access to sports and recreational programming so that every person in the community can experience the benefits of sports and recreation. To learn more about PlayOn, please visit www.playon365.org.

PROGRAM FAQS

  • The Learn to Swim Program will begin in January of 2023.

  • The Learn to Swim Program will occur at the new Hampton Aquaplex, near the Hampton Convention Center.

  • All 2nd-grade students will have the opportunity to participate.

  • Students will have five consecutive lessons.

  • Students will begin their day at school and then be transported to the Aquaplex for either the first or second session.

  • Details are still being finalized, but the goal is to have one hour of pool/deck time each day.

  • • Swimsuit

    • Towel

    • Comb or brush

    • Goggles, swim caps, flip flops are optional

    • Children with hair longer than shoulder length will need to have hair pulled back into a ponytail.

  • Hampton City Schools and the city of Hampton are actively seeking grant funding and sponsorship to provide swimwear to students who do not have a swimsuit. We surveyed our first-grade students earlier this year, showing that approximately 15% of current first graders do not have a swimsuit. Students will be allowed to swim in gear that is comfortable/permitted for their cultural beliefs. However, cotton cannot be worn as the fibers can clog the pool filter.

  • The program pool will be kept at approximately 84 degrees.

  • The Swim America program has levels of instruction. Students will be assessed on the first day of instruction and placed in skill levels.

  • There will be no cost for participation in the program.