The St. Croix Dolphins “Every Child A Swimmer” learn-to-swim program for public school students has ended its first session of lessons, with students from Alfredo Andrews, Pearl B Larsen, Juanita Gardine and Eulalie Rivera elementary schools.
A majority of the students who participate in this program are initially unable to swim, but today they are confident, alert and feel safe in the pool, according to the Dolphins.
"Our goal is to always reach out to as many students as possible and that by the end of the 16-week program they have achieved the life skill of swimming," a Dolphins spokesperson said in a statement.
The St. Croix Dolphins Swim Team is a nonprofit organization that started its Every Child A Swimmer program in 2003. The sponsorship of local businesses and the local government has allowed them to continue pushing the program throughout the community.
Although the U.S. Virgin Islands is surrounded by beautiful beaches and coral reefs, there are many Virgin Islanders who do not know how to swim or do not feel comfortable at the beach. The Dolphins Swim Team wants to help make this the last generation that does not know how to swim.
This year’s Every Child A Swimmer program is made possible due to the generosity of the community. The team thanks sponsors, Caribbean Reservations Inc, Marshall and Sterling, the V.I. government and Good Hope Country Day School for making this program possible.
The Dolphins hope to continue with these lessons next year to share and spread their knowledge and expertise of water safety and swimming. They are encouraging more companies to support the public school swim lesson program. Their sponsorship will allow the Dolphins to reach out to students in more public elementary schools.
The second session for the Every Child A Swimmer Program begins Jan. 18. Schools that are interested in participating in this program and companies interested in donating to this program, please contact the Dolphins Swim Team at 340-719-7946 or via email stcroixdolphins@gmail.com.
