Parent Teacher Magazine Gaston County Schools March/April 2016 | Page 6

The Gaston County Family YMCA Wants All Kids in Gaston County to be Safe around the Water Y swim programs offer a mix of fun, an arm’s reach. physical activity and safety n Children and adults should not engage in breath holding As swim season approaches, the YMCA activities. encourages children and parents in Gaston County to explore the many benefits of In addition to learning lifesaving water safety skills, children swimming, while also keeping safety top of mind. In the Y’s swim can increase their physical activity by swimming. Swimming also programs, participants can enjoy water sports, enhance or learn new motivates children to strive for self-improvement, teaches goal techniques, meet new friends and develop confidence, while also orientation, and cultivates a positive mental attitude and high selflearning safety skills that can save lives. esteem. It also teaches life lessons of sport and sportsmanship, so “Water safety and swimming are important life skills in the growth that children can learn how to work well with teammates and coaches Summer Camps of and and development all Programs children,” said Jeff Pesesky, Stowe Family and how to d