How Aqua-Tots Families Shared the Love by Donating 10,000+ Swim Lessons

There are few things we love more than creating life lessons for children, and if the last year has taught us anything, it’s that some of the best life lessons are learned through generosity. With that in mind, there is no better time to share the love of safe swimming with deserving children in our communities than during the month of February. 

In November and December 2020, twenty Aqua-Tots Swim Schools locations across the United States presented families with the opportunity to donate unused make-up lessons accrued throughout the year. Others were able to purchase lessons for donation. In total, 10,125 lessons were gifted to deserving families who would not otherwise be able to afford swim lessons for their children. 

Make-up lessons are just one of the unique benefits of Aqua-Tots Swim Schools. While the details of each policy vary by location, every school understands that families are busy, and flexibility is key when teaching children how to swim. That’s why unforeseen circumstances such as illness, traffic, temper tantrums and impromptu naps, mean families need the flexibility to reschedule lessons at convenient times. And this policy has provided a valuable reassurance to families across the world throughout the pandemic. 

Water safety remains as important as ever with families still working and learning from home. According to Pediatrician Ben Hoffman, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Council on Injury, Violence & Poison Prevention, “As children are at home more due to social isolation recommendations, they may have more access to pools, bathtubs, and other sources of water – all of which pose a drowning risk.” 

In fact, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional, injury-related death among children ages one to four years old, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and swim lessons drastically improve this reality. Participation in formal swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88% among children in the same age group, according to the National Institutes of Health. 

“2020 was a challenging year,” said Aqua-Tots CEO Craig Wright. “Franchise owners all over the world were faced with the reality of temporarily closing their doors during the coronavirus pandemic. Because of their commitment to swim lessons and the value they place on families, all locations offered free make-up lessons to get children back on track when schools reopened. To see those same families pay it forward to children who may not be able to take swim lessons has been remarkable to witness.”  

The nationwide gift of swimming, valued at over $250,000, allowed each participating franchise location to choose charitable organizations as the recipients of the donated swim lessons. Those organizations will in turn select deserving families to take part in the classes at their local Aqua-Tots Swim Schools. The organizations include but are not limited to: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Child Savings Institute, Community Alliance Against Family Abuse, Children’s Home Society of Idaho, Families in Transition of West Georgia, WIC, Arrow Child & Family Ministries, America’s Angels, Inc, Foster Adopt Connect, Creighton Community Foundation, Arizona Department of Child Support Services, Adelante Healthcare and Dystart Community Center. 

We want to thank each family that generously donated lessons so that others could learn safety in and around the water. It is people like you that make community so rewarding and make us forever grateful to have you as a part of our family.