Harvey Fenner loves to go swimming!

Whether it’s his grandparents pool or the pool at the Licking County Family YMCA, he can’t wait to jump in the water and play.

And thanks to the Y’s adaptive Safety Around Water program, Harvey now has the skills and confidence to stay safe and have fun while swimming.

“He’s a stronger swimmer since taking the class,” said his mother, Allison Fenner. “That’s worth its weight in gold.”

The Y has had a long history of providing both adaptive aquatics classes and water safety education to children, said Kylie Orr, the Y’s lead adaptive instructor. The Y currently offers free Safety Around Water classes to Licking County first grade students during the school day.

Kylie suggested adding an adaptive version of the class that could be offered in a smaller group, to new swimmers with disabilities.

She and Aquatics Coordinator Mackenzie Brune began working with Diane Dodson, a developmental specialist at the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities (LCBDD) to plan and spread the word about the class.

Classes are now offered free to families of children supported by the Board, age 5 to 14, even if they were not Y members.

Since the first class started in September of 2023, the program has reached 13 young swimmers.

Before each session, Kylie works with the students and their families to discuss skills and set goals for their progress. Often they work on those by playing fun games and practicing with flotation devices.

Their goal of helping students feel more comfortable in the water goes far beyond recreation.

Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in children and those with disabilities are especially at risk.

That’s one reason Allison and her husband Scott signed Harvey up for the class.

“He was so drawn to water and if he fell into a body of water, knowing that he would at least be safe, that was our biggest motivator,” Allison said. “Having the safety class available to literally get our toes in the water to practice being safe and learn some basic skills, that was huge!”

Harvey had done swimming lessons in the past, but the Fenners liked that one of them was able to be in the water to support their son.

“Parents know their child best and how to give them directions and how to help them pay attention, so that was really helpful,” Allison said.

Harvey especially liked playing with the Y’s giant orange floating mat. The instructors were able to give Scott and Allision suggestions on using pool noodles and flotation devices that they hadn’t thought of before.

Harvey loved hearing them cheer him on in the water, Scott said.

“He actually could swim for the first time and he was very proud,” he said.

The Y will continue offering the adaptive Safety Around Water classes to families supported by LCBDD at 5:30 p.m. on Fridays, throughout 2024. After class, the Y also offers a 30 minute sensory-friendly swim, from 6 to 6:30 p.m. that students can enjoy.

Since he’s started swimming, Harvey has seemed more relaxed, has been talking more and has shown improvement in his gross motor development. The Fenners have used their LCBDD Family Support Services (FSS) funds to get a Y membership so Harvey can continue practicing and having fun. They are interested in signing him up for another Safety Around Water session.

“I hope other people will take advantage of this,” Allison  said. “I can’t say enough good things, Harvey loved it!”

Safety Around Water classes are held at 5:30 p.m. on Fridays during the sessions below. For more information, email MacKenzie.Brune@bvfymca.org.

2024 Sessions

March
Registration opens: Feb. 18
Session dates: March 8- 29
April
Registration opens: March 18
Session dates: April 5-26
May
Registration opens: April 15
Session dates: May 3-24
June
Registration opens: May 20
Session dates: June 7- 28
July
Registration opens: June 17
Session dates: July 5-26
August
Registration opens: July 15
Session dates: Aug. 2-23
September
Registration opens: Aug. 19
Session dates: Sept. 6-27
October
Registration opens: Sept. 16
Session dates: Oct. 4-25
November (Mini-session due to holiday)
Registration opens: Oct. 14
Session dates: Nov.1-15
December (Mini-session due to holiday)
Registration opens: Nov. 11
Session dates: Nov. 29-Dec.13

Photos provided by the Fenner family.