BRIDGEPORT—On June 5, 2017-June 9, 2017, the City of Bridgeport in collaboration with the Cardinal Shehan Center will host a free weeklong after school swim camp for 120 Bridgeport youth ages 5 through 11 years old. The program begins at 3:30 pm and ends at 5:30 pm. Participants will be engaged in classroom education, in-pool swim lessons, and instruction from First Responders.
The Bridgeport water safety awareness program has been made possible through funding provided by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission Pool Safely Grant Program, a national public education campaign that works with partners around the country to reduce child drowning and entrapments in swimming pools and spas.
Mayor Ganim explains, “This is an excellent program that provides safety for our children, and even better, it’s free, it’s engaging, and an educational activity right here at the Cardinal Shehan Center, so the kids have fun while learning safety. The water can be dangerous, we need to take precautions and have our children prepared when they are swimming in a pool, or at our local beaches.”
“The Cardinal Shehan Center is thrilled to partner with the City of Bridgeport, to provide water safety for Bridgeport’s children,” said Terry O’Connor, Executive Director of the Cardinal Shehan Center. “Not only will this program benefit Shehan Center children, but it will benefit Bridgeport’s children from Hall School, Barnum School, New Beginnings Family Academy, Classical Studies, Columbus, Six to Six Magnet, Cesar Batalla, Read School, and other Bridgeport school children. It is programs like this that ensures the safety of our youngsters as the summer heats up”.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death in children ages 1-4 and the second leading cause in children 5-14. Risk of drowning is highest in minority populations, with the fatal drowning rate almost three times that of Caucasian children. Many of these deaths are preventable if proper water safety measures are taken. This camp aims to reduce these statistics through community engagement and education.
About Cardinal Shehan Center
Founded in 1962, the Cardinal Shehan Center has a rich tradition of offering Bridgeport area youth a variety of growth-enhancing programs and services. The Center’s mission is enriching lives through learning. The Center serves the recreational, educational, social and cultural needs of moderate and low-income families and young people. The Center offers a variety of programs including an After School & Saturday Program, basketball leagues, a Summer Day Camp, Swim Camp, Physical Education classes to local schools. In addition, the Center offers enrichment programs such as tutoring, music, soccer, keyboarding, karate, swimming, cooking and much more!
City of Bridgeport and First Responders
The City of Bridgeport Water Safety Program includes efforts, participation and support from the Parks and Recreation Department, Central Grants, the Fire Department, the Police Department, American Medical Response, the Harbormaster, and the Department of Health and Social Services.
