News:
This past July, Our swim program was featured in “Boy’s Life”. It was a wonderful opportunity for everyone, both staff and students that participated in our program.
The following is a transcript of the Text from the Boy’s Life Article about Venture crew 513
Reported by Aaron Derr Swimming lessons
Photography by Steve Wewerka
Volunteer in a swim program and you not only help others learn about water safety, you just might learn something yourself. As an instructor for the three rivers swim program, Eagle Scout Josh Johnson, 18, always has plenty to do on his weekends. There are lesson plans to review, equipment to get ready and safety topics to demonstrate. So as he stresses the elements of swimming safety to his students, he can’t forget the reason they’re all here. “In case something happens, you have to be able to help,” Josh says.
It really helps
Each year, Venturing Crew 513, Minneapolis, MN., organizes the swim program, designed to increase swimming skills and help Scouts earn their aquatic awards. It runs on weekends during the winter and spring months. Instructors have Scout lifeguard, American red cross lifeguard and Red Cross water safety instructor training. Courses start with learn to swim and go on to advanced topics such as swimming merit badge, lifesaving merit badge and BSA lifeguard. Joshua has been part of the program since he was in the second grade. He started of as a student and now is in his fourth year as a teacher. Life Scout Travis Anderson, 14, started taking classes in 1997. He’s now up BSA lifeguard, and he’s working as an aid to instructors like Josh. “It’s really helped me out because I’m on my high school swim team,” Travis says. “When I first joined the team, I already knew a lot of the strokes.”
Start with the basics
The learn to swim section of the course starts with level 1 swimming, called “Water Exploration.” It is designed to introduce students to the water. Next is level 2 swimming, called “Primary Skills.” “We teach them the basic strokes.” Says 16-year-old Eagle Scout Jay Triggs, a level 3 instructor. Next, stroke readiness, which teaches more advanced strokes. Then it’s on to Second/First class basic swimming requirements, courses for the Swimming and Lifesaving merit badges, on up to safe swim defense/ safety afloat. Students, and instructors, also must be familiar with such basic skills as CPR. “The whole program is a lot of fun,” Travis says, “I’ve made new friends and learned a lot of neat things.”
Keeping your head above water
The members of venturing crew 513 not only help younger swimmers learn how to swim safety, they also reinforce the basics for themselves each time they conduct their program. They hope they’ll never have to use their lifesaving skills in a real life situation. But if an emergency arises, they’ll have a much better chance of handling the crisis. Scouts who choose next month’s aquatic theme will learn to become better boaters and canoeists.
For more information on swim programs near you, contact your local council.
The students and staff of the Three Rivers Swim Program wish to thank the entire staff of "Boy's Life" for all of the time and energy that they gave to our program!
