Drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 4. In New Jersey, we lose an average of 10 children to accidental drowning each year?
This year alone, we have had 16 drownings to date, including children, teens and adults.
Swimming lessons are essential to the safety of children, especially in under-resourced communities.
Many agencies around the state have risen to the occasion in providing swim instruction for little or no cost to children.
Recent proposed legislation will include drowning prevention education in our school curriculum.
Access to swim lessons requires a proper bathing suit. For many families, this has been a major stumbling block for access to these lessons.
In 2018, Breakwater Beach Waterpark in Seaside Heights conducted the first Bathing Suit Drive for homeless families.
In the summer of 2019, NJRPA partnered with Breakwater Beach and other NJ-based aquatic venues and waterparks to conduct a successful Bathing Suit Drive by collecting over 600 bathing suits distributed throughout Camden County.
Since COVID-19, NJRPA was unable to sponsor such drives. In 2022, they hope to beat that record and include swim goggles to make the swim lesson experience even more enjoyable.
The 2022 NJRPA Aquatic Section Bathing Suit and Google Drive will be held from Memorial Day Weekend through July 15 at NJ-based aquatic facilities and waterparks.
Bathing suits and goggles collected will be distributed through recreation, park and social service agencies in Jersey City, Newark, Orange and Perth Amboy.
This year, members of the New Jersey Swim Safety Alliance have also joined in on the effort.
Register today to be a part of this campaign. Participating agencies will be highlighted in promotional materials and articles.
Let us help you by supporting your efforts! Recreation Departments around the state are participating.
Charitable organizations and corporations are welcome to get into the drive and become part of this drowning prevention campaign.
Register with Judith Leblein Josephs, Aquatic Section Education Chair, by email.
List your agency and the contact information for your staff person leading the effort. Questions? 732-319-5814 jleblein@optonline.net
Let’s break the 600 record and help NJ kids get access to swim lessons and ultimately save lives.