ORANGEBURG, S.C. — Public pools throughout the state are getting ready to open for the season.
Many school districts in the Midlands, like Orangeburg County, do not offer swim lessons for students. However, parents have options.
The Orangeburg County YMCA offers swimming lessons for those six months and older for $100 for nonmembers.
Jennifer Ballew is the executive director at the Orangeburg YMCA. She said there is a significant need for swim lessons and fun places to swim in the county.
“So teaching the kids how to swim in Orangeburg County is super important. Orangeburg County is such a large county it’s the largest by land area,” said Ballew. “So teaching the ones in the outside rural areas how to swim is just super important and just having these opportunities like a beautiful waterpark, a safe waterpark and a safe pool in both locations is just super important.”
The Orangeburg County YMCA offers swim class scholarships for people who need them.
Raymond Schuller said it's important for children to know how to swim in case of an emergency.
“You know kids, they like to, explore and they - and they're going to, like, run to water,” said Schuller. “If they see it, they’re going to go to it. That’s an important part of them being able to swim just in case they fall over in it.”
Ballew says it’s always a good time to learn how to swim.
“It’s never too late to learn,” said Ballew. “It’s super important to learn how to swim, it’s fun it’s great exercise and it’s something you can do with your children, your grandchildren and you won’t have to be the one sitting on the sidelines.”
South Carolina State University is also offering free swim lessons to students and faculty and for a $100 fee to the public starting on May 20.