Dalton Davis, 13, of Sidney, son of Dallas and Bridget Davis, demonstrates the proper way to fall into water during a water safety demonstration held by Sidney firefighters Greg Francis, far right, of Minster, and Dallas Davis. The demonstration was held for kids at the Sidney-Shelby County YMCA that were taking part in the annual Water Safety Week on Tuesday, June 8, 2021.
By Charlotte Caldwell
SIDNEY – Registration for the Sidney-Shelby County YMCA’s annual Water Safety Week on June 5 to 8 is now open.
The program is free – with the help of sponsors Sidney Daily News, Minster Bank and Ruese Insurance Agency – and available to children 3 to 5 years old with a parent and children in grades K-6. No YMCA membership is needed to participate.
The theme this year is “The Way of Water” in reference to the new Avatar movie, and according to YMCA Aquatics Director Amy Young, actors dressed up as avatars will be making an appearance.
Children will learn what to do if they find themselves in the water unexpectedly, like floating on their backs, as well as the concept of “reach, throw, don’t go” and calling 911 if someone else is in the water who needs help. Other topics include safety around pools, backyard pools, boats and beaches.
Instead of paper forms, this year’s registration will be online or in person at the YMCA. There is no deadline to register, but time slots will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. There will be 40 spots available for each 45-minute K-6 class and 15 spots for each 30-minute parent/child class. The time slots – which will occur each day at the same time throughout the program – are as follows:
• 9-9:45 a.m.
• 10-10:45 a.m.
• 11-11:45 a.m.
• 12-12:30 p.m. (parent/child)
• 2-2:45 p.m.
• 3-3:45 p.m.
• 5-5:45 p.m.
• 6-6:30 p.m. (parent/child)
• 7-7:45 p.m.
Volunteers are needed, and children as young as 10 years old can be a volunteer. Available opportunities are greeter/handouts, youth center attendant, locker room attendant, pool runner, and instructional assistant. Volunteers who sign up by May 17 will be guaranteed a free t-shirt, and on the last day there will be a pizza party for volunteers. Volunteer forms are available at the YMCA’s Welcome Center.
Any questions about Water Safety Week can be directed to Amy Young at 937-492-9134 extension 211.
