Lessons for All 2nd Graders

By Allyson All, North Charleston Recreation Department

The North Charleston Aquatic Center was constructed with the vision of providing widespread aquatic programming and competitive swimming to the area. Dorchester School District 2 (DD2) shared that vision and in partnership with them, the North Charleston Aquatic Center was brought to life. This 53,000 square foot, state of the art facility has been designed to host an array of competitive and recreational aquatics programs. Since opening its doors in July 2020, the Aquatic Center has been the host of hundreds of swim meets and various programs, including water aerobics, dive training, water polo, special events and of course, swimming lessons!

Through the partnership with Dorchester School District 2, the department was provided a unique opportunity to teach swimming lessons to every second grader as a portion of their school curriculum. This programs aims provide equal access to water safety and swimming instruction for all children. Being able to provide these lessons as a portion of their school day, gives children of all backgrounds the same access to knowledge and resource. It also eliminates the barriers and struggles the families face to provide swimming lessons to their children outside of school hours.

Due to COVID-19, this program was initially put on hold but has since been able to resume for the 2022-2023 school year. This year, the Aquatics Center hosted students from fifteen elementary schools over the span of twenty-four weeks, which totals over 1,500 students.

Throughout the school year, each student received four 30-minute group lessons. During these lessons the students are taught basic safety techniques such as, entering the water feet first, kicking streamline, floating on their back, the different types of swim strokes and more water safety tips. Through the help of instructors from a local swim lesson company, Lowcountry Swim School, the department has been able to add additional instructors each week to supplement our staff and ensure each student received quality lessons.

This program has helped students learn to be comfortable in the water and foster a love of swimming. Many of the students who participated in this program have since signed up for additional lessons, joined swim teams, or visited the pool for family swim time. The North Charleston Aquatic Center is proud of everything these students have learned and can’t wait to welcome a new set of second graders next year!