This summer, 150 children in Osceola County will benefit from free swim lessons, thanks to a $10,000 partnership among Osceola County District 5 Commissioner Ricky Booth, the City of St. Cloud, and St. Cloud Main Street. The program, launching during National Water Safety Month, arrives just in time for the summer swimming season in Central Florida, ensuring children are equipped with essential water safety skills.
“Swimming and enjoying our pools and waterways are one of the great things about being a kid in Florida,” Booth said. “We want to make it possible for our kids to be safe while they enjoy the water.”
Children who live in Osceola County who are between the ages of six months and 14 years old are eligible for the first come, first served program. Lessons will be held in June or July at the City of St. Cloud Chris Lyle Aquatic Center. Participants must be able to show proof of residency in Osceola County to participate.
According to the Florida Department of Health, from 2017 to 2019, Florida had the highest unintentional drowning death rate in the U.S. among children ages 1 to 4 years (6.29 per 100,000 population). Additionally, Florida had the highest unintentional drowning death rate among children 0 to 9 years of age at 3.28 per 100,000 population.
This preventable tragedy resulted in over 90 calls for service from Osceola County Fire Rescue & EMS in 2021, a record number.
To sign up, parents or caregivers can call the City of St. Cloud Chris Lyle Aquatic Center at (407) 957-7136 or visit https://www.stcloudfl.gov/1494/Swim-Lessons and click the “Online Registration” button.
Parents or caregivers will be responsible for paying for the multi-lesson session during registration, which will be reimbursed by the City of St. Cloud upon completion of the swimming lesson course.
