2nd Annual Celebration of Water Safety at Deanwood Community Center

Washington, DC– Mark your calendars! DC Parks and Recreation is teaming up with Potomac Valley Swimming and USA Swimming to announce its partnership to present the 2nd Annual Water Safety Day at Deanwood Community Center located between 49th and Quarles Streets, NE DC across from the Deanwood Metro Station. The event will be held on Saturday, May 21 from 1-4pm.

The Water Safety Day program will feature fun-filled water and non-water activities for both the experienced and non-experienced swimmer. The event will feature hands on activity event stations, set up where families can enjoy and learn about fun water related activities, basic swimming skills, the importance of water safety equipment use and boating. Additionally, along with stations in water, the Water Safety Day Celebration will include several educational booths and entertainment geared toward educating the public about how to be more water-conscious. All activities are designed for various ages of different swimming skill levels.

This event is aimed to address for the needed of educational programs to reduce the amount drowning in the community. A recent Red Cross survey shows that almost half the adults surveyed on water safety say they've had an experience where they nearly drowned. It is important to learn the basics of water safety, good swimming techniques, and how to use water safety equipment properly. Nearly six out of 10 African American and Hispanic/Latino children are unable to swim, nearly twice as many as their Caucasian counterparts. This study was conducted by the Make a Splash anti-drowning initiative by the University of Memphis.

For additional information, learn about volunteer opportunities, reserve a booth to market swim related products or become a sponsor of The Water Safety Day Celebration, please contact Miriam Lynch at 703-409-9962 or by email miriamslynch@yahoo.com.

This event is free and open to the public.