Richmond, Va. (WTVR)--Swimming is certainly one thing children love to do in the summer.
The City of Richmond and the YMCA of Greater Richmond have a program to help make sure little ones are safe in the water by offering free swim lessons in July.
Already this summer, one child drowned on the south side and a little boy had a close call in an apartment complex pool.
The free swimming program wants to help one group of children in particular.
“Drowning remains the second leading cause of unintentional death for children age 0-14, and in the African-American population it increases by three to four times that,” said Cami Raimo.
The Water Smarts program has helped more than a thousand kids learn how to swim since it began in 2007.
If you are interested, contact the City's Parks and Recreation department at 646-1441. You must be a city resident to be eligible.
